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About Dakota County herald. (Dakota City, Neb.) 1891-1965 | View Entire Issue (July 31, 1908)
() i in T Strong arid Steady! By HORATIO UGfR. JB. ft CHAPTER XII. Willw weat up to hi room, and Imrt fy packed hi trunk. 11 felt wronged knd oatraged by tb unfounded chsrg that had bum mid ajrSinst him. Why, no axrued. should Mr. Prummond so read- Py drdd that b bad cheated him out of v dollar? II felt that he could rot, erlth as 7 self-reject, remain any longer fender tb unit roof with a rata wbo liad krnh a poor opinion of him. He wu ot aorry that hii encasement taa at ao end. II bad obtained sorus owMi of th dry good business, and I) knew that bia service wer worth tuoro thsa hia board. Then, acin, though h wu not particular about liv ing Inaurloosly, the far at Mr. Drura bionewaa e uncommonly poor that bt Id sometime long for one of the ab'in Mit and welVcnoked nwala which h ueed to hart spread lwfor him at borne, or ren at hi boarding hous while a pupil f tlve Essex Classical Instltut. lie wan packing hia trunk, when step wa heard en the. atalra, and bia door wa opened by )Jr. Drnmmond, conaiderabiy to Walter' surprise. The fact ia that Mr. Drummond, on realirfag what a mist ike be bad made, itad that Joshua wai th real culprit, felt that ha had gone altogether too far, and p realised that be would b severely cen sured by Walter'a friend In Wlllongh by. Beside, it was jmt posilbl that Waller might after nil, recover a few thousand dollar from bia father' estate, and therefore it wa belter to b on ood fcerroa with him. Mr. Drumtuond deter- Elned, therefore, to conciliate Walter, nnd duce him, if potsible, to remain in bit house and employ. ' ",$Vht kro yon doing, Conrad?" he ask d.'on filtering Walter'a chamber. "Sure ly yon art not going to leave us." "I think it beat," "Id Walter, quiet- "Too won't abera I bear malic on ac count of, tlx little mistake I hat made. RV are all liabl to mi takes." "It waa omthing more than a mis take, Mr. Drnmmond. . What had you sen in ma to justify you in such a sud ten charge of diibonesty?" "Well, Conrad, I wu mistaken, I shall bo glad U have yoa coin back to the tore aa before." "Thank yoo, Mr. Drummond, but I have decided to go bach to Wllloughby (or a abort time. I want to conuit Mr. Shaw about th future. It I time I . formed nm plant, a I shall probably have to eara my living." "If yon har mad up yonr mind, all X bar to aay i that my hnmbl dwelling Wll,b ever open to receive you in the future. Perhaps, after a short visit at yeor old home, you may feel "inclined to return to my employment. I Will give you a dollar a week, besides board." Mr. Drummond looked as if he felt that this waa a magnlfleent offer, for Which Walter ought to feel grateful. Hut ur hero knew very well that b could command better pay elsewhere, and wa t particularly impressed, Still, he wish ed to b polite. ' "Thank you for your offer, Mr. Drum noud," h said; "but I am not prepared to any, as yet, what I will do." "I hope," said Mr. Drummond, rather embarrassed, "you won't speak of our little dhTerenoe to your friends In Wtl - leMghby." ".No, sir ; not if you wish in not to do - By thia time th trunk waa packed, and Walter, locking it, roc from bia knees. "It H woa't bo too much trouble, Mr. Drnatmond." bo aaid, "I will scud for my trunk to-Btorrow." "Certainly. Why don't ym waU UU o-morrow yooraelf?" "Xm I aaa ready, I may a well take I m4.mwm Ulll. L Will Q OOWO tXUil t6-r tm Mr. Druiniiomd.M tb kitchen. She looked with aurprlao at Waiter end bar buaband, whose presence t Uo kease at that hour waa unu.uat aVaWMBBsyejsajaa UtU JQMl WUII irTJIl What U the matter?" aha asked. "Conrad la going home a short tlm an bnelaeaa," explained Mr. Drummond. I hav offered hiss Increased pay If 1 will return t th store, I hop be pay decide to do ao. Our humble root gvQi ever be ready to shelter him." Just at that moment Joshua, uncon 0 . , , aclous of th damaging disoovery that had p u reiiun io uimseii, enierea Che room. "Hello I what'a op?" bo asked. It was th first tl m hi father had seen pJm since the discovery of his dishon esty, and hi anger wa kindled. "You ought to be asbamod to show your face here, you young reprobate !" be ex claimed. Joshua stared In amatement and Mrs. Emmond exclaimed, "What makes you so, Mr. Drummond? What haa b ?" "What ha h don?", ejaculated Mr, prummond, adding, rather nngramatical p, ,"II'a a thief that' what he' done, it would serv him right it I should flog lOm wilhln an inch ot bis life." "If yoo try It," said Joshua, snlienlv. fl'O have yea arrested for assault and amttery." "Take care, boy. or you may And your self ba custody for theft" "What do ail three dreadful word siaaT" asked Mr. Drommond, distress ed. "Tell bm, Walter, if yoo know." "I would rather Mr. Drnmmond in lormed yoa," said Walter. Til tell yea. Mr. Drummond," said 'X husband. "That boy sold a shawl a rtalght ago, wha alou in he store, gtnd pocketed th money." "Who said I did?" asked Joshua, bold ly, though he looked a little pale. "The woama who bought it of you waa a the oter to-day." "DM she kaew my name?" "No; but she described you." "I remember now. "What mads yoo keep the money?" "I didn't I waited, till Conrad came tito the store, and gave the money to lm. What be did with it, I don't know, ferhapa he forgot to put it in th draw- r." "That'a a II, Joshua Drummond I" said UTalter, quietly, "and you know It is. ' I Chink your father know it is also." "Do yoo mean to say I lie?" blusterol feotroa. "I wouldn't if I wasn't obliged to ; but la my, own defense I am compiled to do so. "What could I want of th money?" demanded Jonhua. "I think you wanted the money to buy Wttery Ifciets with," snid Walter calmly. "To toy lottery tickets with!" "What does this Ineun, Joshua?" de geanded bis father, sternly. "If a lie 1" said Jowliua, unblushlagly. i nray i charge which yoa I ' hav made ngalnst my nunV akd iit. Inimmond, turning ta Wlt. ;'l can, but I am sorry to bo oWIH to do so. I picked np thia Utter a day or I. a alnM mil ItltlMlll !M It ha!k tO T,u.', imt it n rKl dt mlad. I wld not have cipoetd hint if he had not triad "Th legacy shall bo paid." aaid Wal tn rhr me with theft." tar. DroaiDtfy. "ao matter tow Uttl ro ll placed in Mr. Drswmenl I baas th letter already g'. anacing to Joihua that he hid drawa a blank. .Mr. Drummond read It with no Utti aagr, for he drtenti'fl lotteriea. "Uuhni py boy I" h said, adlre4snf Joshua. "I uudorstnd now what bocaa of the five dollar. Tula deddea m t do what I had intended to do sooner. I have supported joo ba lasiaaca long enough. It is rim you woat to wort. Next week you must go to work. I wITl take you Into my etore; but a I tat mot sure of your honesty, if I tad yo propriating money to your osm aaa, I will put you into a rboe shop aad taako a shoemaker of yon." This was an alarming threat to Jortaa, who bad a foolish pride, which led his to look ujon a trnd a less rasp! tiaa th mercnntil profeIon. U slunk' oat of the house, while Walter aot out on foot. for th railway statloa, tro-qaar-irs(nf a mile distant. CIIAPTKIt XIII. "fJIvo me a tUket to Wllloughhy,' aid Walter. Tire minutes Inter lie wa occupying a seat, or, rntlier. half a t, for thro at next to him n brink, enercetlc-looktng man of KlHJiit thirty years of ag. II had beea reading 'the morning paper, but apparent ly be had got through with It, for he fold ed it up and put it in bis pocket. 'Tine day," be said, brlakly. "Yes, sir, very fine," answered Walter. "Some people are affected by th weath er; I am not," pursued hi fellow trav eler. "I feel os smart on day aa an other. I'm always sheerful. I'vo got too much business to do to mop. When a man's got enough to busy himself about, be hasn't time to bo In th dumps." rTbere' a good deal in that," aaid Walter. "Of course there 1. Posh along, keen moving, that' my motto. Are yoo la busineea? ' "No, sir, not at present" "I'm la the subscription book bnslneaa got on office in New York, W aand out ogeut everywhere to canvass far oar publications. Lota of money In it" "Ia there?" "Yes. I used to be aa agent arysolf, nnd, though I lay It, I don't think ther ore many agent that can get ahead of me. Sometime I used to mak twenty dollar a day. At last I thought I'd Ilk to ho t tie down, so I bought partneoshlp, and now, instead of being an agent, I send out agents." "Isn't twenty dollars a day pretty large for an agent to makef asked Walter. . "Yes, there are not many who do It, but plenty make from Cv to ten right along. You look as if you would make a good agent." "What make you think ao?" asked Walter. "You .look smart." x "Thank p'ou," said Walter, laughing. "I am afraid you won't think ao aiuoh of my ability when I tell you that I have been' working for the bat throe months for my board." i" It's a sham. You'd better oosso with us. We'll 'do much bettor by you than that." "I am going to consult boom frionda about my future plana. If yea are will ing to tell we a little of your bulaeae, I will think of what yoo propoaa." . "I have with me our latest publication. It's going like wild&re. J-t the thing piuue th popU, I will show It to you. Walter looked with Interest valle hi H ewiiia InlanM rlWaW anxit Uaaaam aa pba., which h had beneath the aeat, a gooiied parcel wrapped ia brown por per. Untying It h prodnead a batky octavo, in flaaby binding, aad akoouaihtg In Illustration. II opened rh book aad turned over the leave rapidly "It'a stuffed full of illustration, yea see," said he. "Tt expense of the plo tares alone waa abaolntely e-nor-oaoss f he added, dwelling npoa the last word by I way vi emjjuMia. on WW 19 nuu io mak, it pay. Th sel w!U bo lmmonao. way of emphasis. "But we're going to Our agent alrsady In th Sold report re- nmrkalile sales." i "What's the title of the bookr asked Walter, who had yet beea anable to de termine thl point by reason ot tho rapid turning of the page. " 'Scenes in liibl Land.' W lnelod other countries besides Paloatlao, and we've made a book that'll sell. VI oat every family will want one," "What terms do you offer to agents T"' "Why, the book sells at retail at throe dollars and fifty cents. Of thla tho agent keeps on dollar and twenty-five easts. Pretty good, isn't It?" "Yes, I shoMld think It woo." . "Yoo you hav only to oaQ copies a day to mak Iv dothm. you're smart, yoa can do better that." It really did esc in very good to Walter. who couldn't help comparing It with th misiwable wagea h bad received frost Mr. Drummond. "I think that would pay very woB," he Ks id. "Most paying busineea oat," said (ho other. "Say the word, aad rU oagaga you on the sfot." "Where would you want no fee aoQ 1" "I should like to have yoa go West llils way district are mostly taken a It would give you a good chase to travel and see the world." Now Walter waa, like moat ether yen! people, fond of new scenes, and thia con sideration wa a weighty on. It would enable him to travel and pay hi xpnoa while 'doing so. "ltetlcr say the word." "1 can't say now. I ranst oeo my frieuds firnt." "Well, I'll give you th number of our office in New York. When you get ready, report to us there, aud we'll put yoa la the field." To this Walter assented, and askd aev era! questions further, to which h re ceived encouraging anawers. The stran ger gave him hi card, from which our hero learned that he bad mad th ao quuiiitanee of Mr. James Pusher, of th tirm of t'ilut & Piuiier, subscription pub lishers, Nu.-huu street, New York. 'Uood-hy," said Mr. Pusher, cordially, when Waiter left th train for th WU loiighby station ; "hope to see yoo again." "Thank you," aaid Walter; "very likely you will." Taking hi carpetbag in hia band, for bo had an am! to bav hia trprk ooom axt lay, he wafted orer to th houoe at Mr. thaw, by father a executor. Ifr. SWw wa 1a hia Ac, a little eoe- atory boiWhVg atandlg by Itaolf a HtOe t the toft of hi bow, n waa Dturtiy wvttbvg, and did not at one look op. VThee ba m who it waa, b tea up nfl elooned Waltor with a iJK Ta Tfcy ghud to aco yon, Walter," he said. "I waa iw y wsr aero. Whea did you leave SUpfetoaT "Thla irtmioiL Mr. fihaw. I bar hiat reached WUlooghbr. What progress bar yea made fa settling the estate?" "I caa rive jrou mx Idea, of saw u staada. TW wfll ho onisrlnig laft. fent aat BMcb. After paj'tag all dahta, Udod lag Kancr, there will ortam!y b a Uouaaad dollar ; but U y pay Kaac hwacr. that will tak half of thla ansa. aiain. I am glad thero la enoo tor that" "I hoaor yra dotannhjatlon, Walter, hut I don't think Nancy will be willing to tak half of tilt tm hava Ut" Tbea don't let her know how little it la." Ther ia a chance of something more. I have made ao aeoonnt of th Great Metropolitan Mining stock, of which your father held shares to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, ooat price. IToW these will oosae eat is very uncertain, bat 1 think we can got eonothlnff. Strppoe It were only Ar per cent, that would atake five tkooaand dollars. But It but boat to ooant ea that" "I shan't aaak any account of th nrln isg stock." aaid Waiter. "If I get any thing, it w0I bo ao much more than I expect" "That la the beet way. It will prevent disappointment" "How lone before wo find out a boat it?" "It L wholly uncertain. It aaa? be si a months ; it may be .two years. All I caa say ia that I will look after your Inter est." "Thank you, I am sure of that" "Now, as to your plans. You were at the Eases Classical Institute, I think?" "Tea, sir." "What do you say to going back for a rear? It La not an expensive school. Ton could stay a year, including expenses, for the sum of five hundred dollars." "It would consume all my money; and aa long aa I am not going to college, my present education will be sufficient" "Aa to consuming all your money," aaid Mr. 6 haw, "let me aay one thing. I re ceived many favors from your father, es pecially when a young man Just starting in business. Let me repay them by pay ing half your expenses for the next year at achooL" "Too ar very kind, Mr. Shew," aaid Walter, gratefully, "and I would accept that favor from you sooner than from any one; bat Tve made np my mind to take care of myself, and addle my own causae." (To be continued.) i. j i traa;e tluta Tney Tbonsfct. On arriving at Barbados, with two small tugboats which had anfely mada their way from Philadelphia, Ma Rob ert II. Hepburn found people greatly surprised that audi dmall boats uould make such a voyage. Ia bis Journal, quoted Jy Mr. Neville B. Craig In "Rec ollections of an Ill-fated Expedition," says : "We treated the matter cool- 17. but would willingly have trans ferred tiie privilege of keeping rip the national name for reckless adventure. to some one else for the remainder of the trip. It waa Just about one year since) Captain Symmea bad left Barba doa for Para with some such craft as oure, and was never heard from after ward. "While breakfasting at the hotel," continues Mr. Ilepburn'a record, "the proprietor came Into the room followed by what at first appeared to be a start ling apparition a tall, gaunt, death haed semblance of a man. '"On being introduced he took me to window and pointed to a large full rtgged ship lying In the offlng, and stated that tt was hts vessel, that yel- low fever had broken out on board, that several of the crew had boon buried at eea, star, no nimseir. waa ecuy cxn valuer! og, that there wu a fair wind eatable, bat a head wind la the bay, tad ho aad been nnabla to get out for em days past "X aaattctEtttod him by saying, Zoa wish ta bo towed out' "H promptly answered Tea,' and asked what It would cost 1 said, Tea are aa American, and ao aaa L You are la dlatreea. Have yonr hawser ready at 8 o'clock this afternoon, and yoa wlQ be token out and pot upon your course. There will be ao efrarge." "Tears filled the poor fellow's eyes. "Aa English enslga who was pres ent, roxaarkod, Do you Intend to try to tak a loaded vessel of that tonnage oat of this port against wind and tile with on those little boater "I replied, Wo are sot going to cry, we are going to do It' "Well he said, If yon snoceed wa wal give yoa a sead-off front oar tbtpi At the appointed time th whorl was exowdod with excited people of aS daseea, aad eves on the ahlpa In tha harbor aa anuaual stir was apparent Tho June) steamed over, made fast ta the hawser, aad, everything being ready, started down the bay at a speed that astonished the onlookers. Tho Brasn the other tog weigher' tschor aad followed, amidst roars a." applause from harbor and shore. "Aa wa passed the English man-caS war the dorks and rigging wero crowd ed with officers and men, and wa were greeted with hearty cheers, shoots for good kick and sacceus, and a salute with their flag. "After rounding the point, the June dropped the ship's hawser, aad at o'clock, aocornpanled by the Braafl, pro ceeded en the voyage to Para. Ther was no one, outside of the American vewel aad our boats, that be lieved we could move tho ship 100 yards from her anchorage." Ilrdrooephaloos. "lie Isn't exceedingly clever, Is ho?" "Clever? X should say. not Why, It an Idea ahould get Into that fellow's head you could hear It splash." Can sas City Times. As It First Former- Should Bo. -I ueur you struck oil last week. Second Farmer Yes. v First Fanner How's It running? Second Farmer Smoothly. - In employments, requiring quickness and dexterity of the bunds women art I r mora valuable than uoa. rd3 PcM't Have you read my lasbpoeml Frleml I trust that I have. Judge. Brings You aay bualuttw la looking up? (it'lggB That's what U la. It caat look any other vay ; It's flat on fts buck. Ex. Little New York Boy Say, fatbor, when will I be old enough so thnt I won't have to get up atid give my seat to n lady? Life. ; "On my Ijipo I brgjed her for a LI." "And what did slio any?" "Told mo to get up aud be practical." Louis ville Courier-Journal. "My wife uinde an engagement for no to dhio at th Binge'. I forgot and went Csblng." "Catch anything?" "Not ttnlll I got home." Plain Dealer. Curate I liavea't seea your husband at church reivntly, Mrs. Bloggs. What In ho (1 )ing? Mrs. Bloggs 'B be a doln' six months, sir! Loudon Opinion. "Maude was afraid the girls wouldn't notice' kor engagement ring." "Did llicy?' "IWd they I Six of them rec ognized it at once.' Cleveland Plain Dealer. ( Iiappio Have a cigarette, old man? Fupleigh No; I don't smoke fool-killers. Chnpple Well, I don't blame you for refusing to take chances. Chicago Dully News. "This Is a new ahavlng soap I'm UHlng." said the barber, "llow do you like Itr "ApiJied externally," aplut tercd tho victim. The Catholic gtand ard and Times. Nell Maude bas a now dressmaker; what do you think of tho fit of her new gown? Belle I shouldn't call It a fit; I nhould call it a convulsion. Phila delphia Uecord. "Of course you play bridge only for fun?" "Of eourao," answerod Mrs. Fjmngleton. "But It han't any fun un less you are playing for money." Washington 8Ur. "I heard htm behind the door plead ing for Just one. They must be en gaged." "New, they're married. It was a dollar he was pleading for." Louis vllte Courler-JouraaL "Io you consider your nerve la suf ficiently steady to fit you for an air ship navigator?" "Well, I've been out iu a canoe with a nervous fat girl." Cleveland Plain Dealer. Tramp Can you assist mo along the road, mum? Lady of the House Per sonally I can not; but I will unchain my dog, and I know he will be most pleased to do so! Loudon Tlt-BIts. "Mai" "Well, dear?" "Does th' Ifible honestly say that we gotta love our enemies V "Yea." "Gee !" "What'a ' the matter?" "I I wight I'd 'a picked j some different enemies." Cleveland,' Leader. Heiress But father, that handsome foreign count Buys he will do something desperate and awful If I do not marry him. Father (dryly) He will, lie will have to go to work. Baltimore American. v Wall, young man," thundered the ead of the bouse. "S-slr," stammered the youth, "I want to marry your d-d-daughter." "Aw, take her and wel come. I was afraid you were courting the cook." Ex. v "Walter," aaid a traveler In a rail road restaurant, "did you say I bad twenty minutes to wait or that It was twenty minutes to eight?" "Noyther. 01 said ye bad twlnty minutes to ert un' thot's all ye did have. Yer train'! Jll ust gone." Everybody's Magazine. The art photographer bad visited th fa nn. "I want to make an exhaustive study of this particular bit of land scape," he said, "and would like to have your hired man retain his present po sition on the fence there. Can he sl stllir "For daya at a time," replied tho farmer. Cleveland Plain Dealer. ' Flak ni the Bells. A.flaherman down nt Ocean City hai created a good deal of amusement by tho ingenious contrivance by which ho makes the fish help him to catch them, says the New York Sim. lie always has nt least six or eight lines out, at a pretty good distance from one another, too. Each line la tied firmly In the slot nt the end of nn old umbrella rib. The rib. In turn, U fastened at the other end to the rail of the pier. On each rib ls a little bell such as are put on collars for pet anl nialft. When a lino geta a bite the umbrella rib ls bent or at least twitched, and the little bell tinkles a summons to the Ilshoriuan. In this way the fish them selves give notice to their enemy. She SolS So Asrwsr. The young man who was endeavor ing to win the favor of Bobby'a pretty sister met the boy on the street om morning and greeted him with much cordiality. "Er do you think yonr sister wai pleaned to know I had called the otliet day?" be waa at last forced t rsk, bluntly, after several efforts to cuMe Bobby's conversation In that direct Inn. "Sure!" snid Bobby, with gratifying promptness. "I know she was. heard her any ao. "Wben sho came homo mother said 'Mr. Brown called wliilo yon wore out,' and she said: 'II- did? Well, I'm glui if that!' " Youth's Companion. Urllllent Idew. "I can't understand," said the str.m ger, "since the monument Is perfectly cylindrical In form, wbr they put I; siiuiire railing around It." "l'erliups," replied t!i. native, "the; didn't have enouvli railing to g ound." Philadelphia Press. t'onnlitt-raie. ' Bacon And does your wife have sjh rlally prepared food for her ilm? Kgln-rt Oh, jes! Hi wouldn't tliir df tllvlng lilm at'.yll'lrs kY id self! Yonkers SlateMn.-n .1 It Every man thi;.!;- "help" better than a: or In the world. ti ler Tell some ttnmedlutely men n . bull; out t'i f. . U 5.1,11 THE gOMESTSADEH. . Wind swept nod fire r wept and gwarit w ith bitter rain This was the world I came to whoa I came across the sea- Stin-drrnehed and panting, a pregnant waiting plain Calling oat to humankind, calling out to ma! Leafy lanes and gentle fkleo and little fields nil green ' This was the world I nie from wlinn I fared ncress the Bctt- The mansion and the village nnd the farmhouse In between. Never any room for more, never room for me ! I've fought the wind and braved It I cringe to It no more! I've fousht the creeping f.re buck nnd cheered to see It die, I've nhut the bitter rain mrrMde, and snfe within my door, Laughed to think I feared n fhlng not as etrong as I! I mind the long while rood that ran between Ibe hedgerows nent In that little, strange old world I left beblDd me Iour ego. t mind the air so full of bells at evening, fur and sweet : All and all for some one cite I had leave to go! And this Ls what I came to when I came across the sen,. Miles aud miles of unused sky ami miles of unturned loam, And mllos of room for some one else nnd miles of room for nic The cry of exile chninring to the sweeter cry of ''Home!" I P Ij S S i i f- p T R El F 'R trJftt The morning was fine. A freshness Of spring was la the air. The thrushes sang In the branches and the sparrows twittered on the dusty surface of the road. All nature smiled. But Mr. Henry Cadgitt did not lie had ex perienced a lamentable chapter of ac cidents since ho had left the worldiouse where ho had spent the night For ex ample, a man had offered him work. And though an elderly lady whom he had approached with a request for a meal had given him one, she had pro tested that hd looked ill, and bad stood over him while he drank a whole tum bler of cold camomile tea.v It was In vain that he had essured her that the medical faculty had been unanimous in Recommending hot whisky and water for bis complaint She favored her wd prescription. Small wonder then that nature's smile awoke no answering Cotion In his breast Indeed, as he blcd along the path, be goa .lt into his head that she was smiling at him ; and her levity did nothing to Improve his temper. Air. Cadgitt was venerable In years, though not In appearance. Few would have taken him for more than sixty, though he had passed that age by ten long years. No doubt bis comparative yonthf ulness was due to the care with which, during a long life, he had re frained from labor. True, he was al ways looking for a- Job; but then he was equally careful not to find one Already the sun was high in the heavens, and be began to think about a second meal. A little before him the village of Sunny dale nestled in the val ley. As he entered It s cottage upon bis right hand attracted his attention. It was small, but wonderfully neat The lllao and hawthorn were in bloom about It, and the garden was bright with spring blossoms. Seated In a chair by the door was an old man of venerable appearance. Ills face, though lined with years, was free from care. Jils white beard flowed down his l)reast tpon his - coat a medal with (oar clasps glittered In the sunlight Be sat In dreamy meditation, puffing Idly at a short clay pipe. lie was more titan venerable t be waa evvn a noble eld man. Mx, Cadgitt approached, and leaned over the hedge. "Mate," ho said, "you 'avn't a bit o' baecy as you could spare to a poor bloke wot'a down on 'is luck? The veteran waved him away majes tically. "Go away," he said, I don t give to bcggaii." Something In tho voice touched n dim chord of memory In Mr. Cadgitt's mind. "Well, I'm Mowed!" he said, too as tonished to go more fully Into the d (alls of that process. "If It alnt Bam $nlderl Wot cheer, Sam? Who'd 'ave thought of meeting you 'ere? You've been getting on lu the world, blowed t you 'aveu't! I'd never 'ave known fop If yoa 'adn't spoke." The veteran looked annoyed. MI dont know you," he aaid. "Go Eay, I tell you. Don't come here dis hing an old soldier wat 'as fought his country." Mr. Cadgitt grinned. "Where?" he asked, concisely. ln the Crimea," replied the other, troudly. "Alina. Inkennan, Balaclava, xmastopoi. ' tie nngerea uie ciasps to his medal with loving care. For a moment Mr. Cadgitt was Im pressed. Ills Jaw dropped, and he looked hard at the occupant of the cot tage aa though he half thought he had made a mistake. Then he grinned again, and raised his finger impressive- ly. "At the time of the Crimean war,' he said, slowly, "you wero selling win kles from a barrer In Seveu Dials. Wots the little gnme, Sam? It alnt no ftse trying to got round uie. Don't you touud on a pal, aud I won't." He nnslied aside the little wicket gate aud entered the gulden. Tho vet eran looked at him with every symp tom ot annoyance; and then, as the readiest way of cettlug rid of him, wued up. "I don't mind telling you," ho said, If you'll promise not to give It away 1 was tramping the country s:mie as you are iibw. when I uiet the owner of this 'ere modal. Poor thnp. 'o dll by the roadwlde, and the parish burled Mm . . ... I didn't see what use they had for his snedal, so I took It. By-andtiye, I came to thla village. There were an Id lady here, and she ci-en me wearing I It She stopped mo In the street and asked uie all about It She 'ad a hus band when she was young that 'ad got killed out there, I told 'er 'ow I 'ad soved the guns ' at Inkerman and charged at Balaclava ; later It come out that 'er husband "ad died In my arms. After that she couldn't do enough for me. Ten shilling a week sho gives me, and thla cottage to live in. It's a good lay if you're up to it You take my tip and try It on when you get far enough from 'ere." "I will." aaid Mr. Cadgitt with fervent admiration. "To think of your 'avlL; tho brains to think of It! It's fair astonishing.' "Never you mind my brains," said the warrior, annoyed. "Don't think it's as easy as shelling peas. It ain't I've 'ad to look sharp, I tell you. I've 'ad to rend up a bit of history. She lends me books about the Crimea, so I manage all right" "I once 'ad a copy of a life of Gen eral Gordon," said Mr. Cadgitt, with a melancholy shake of his head. "I pinched It off a bookstall when the owner wasn't looking, and pawned it for one and sixpence. I wish I 'adn't now pawnea it x mean, it'a 'ave come in useful." ' "That'a , your- Ignorance," aaid Mr. SniOer, contemptuously. "General Gor don weren't In the Crimea. It were Lord Raglan. And Marshal Canrobert was loading the French." "Go on," said Mr. Cadgitt "We wasn't fighting the French. We waa fighting the Kooslans." i "That's your Ignorance again," said Mr.' Snider, contemptuously as before. "It ain't no use your trying the gome, Henory. Yoa'd only make a baah of it" "111 work 'art," said Mr. Cadgitt, eagerly. "I tell you wot It la, Sam. Yon take me up to the old lady and tell er aa I'm a pal of yours that fought through the war with you. Tell 'er as I was In at er husband's death like you was. We can share this 'ere cot tage. It'll hold two comfortable. And you can pitch the yarns until I get the hang of them." Mr. Snider regarded him with aston ished asperity. "You always had a check," he re marked, "but this caps all. I've given you the tip. Go and find an old lady as 'as lost 'er husband In the Crimea for yourself." "There ain't too many of 'em about,' pleaded 'Mr. Cadgitt "I'd rather 'ave a share of this one. She could keep the two of us as easy as one." "No," said Mr. Snider, decisively, "No, It wouldn't do. You see, Ilenery, you don't look tho part Anyone nil;;ht take ma for an old soldier; whercaa you you look like like " He paused for an appropriate simile Mr. Cadgitt danced before him upon the path, blaCk with rage. "Well," he shrieked; "say it! say It I Wot do I look like? Say It If you're a man, and I'll give you a clip on the Jaw as'll make you wish you'd been killed In tho Crimea yourselt" 1 ain't saying anything against you except that it wouldn't do," replied the veteran, calmly Judicial. "If you was to say ss you'd worn Her Majesty's unl form, they'd think as there 'sd been broad arrows on It You'll ave to find another way of earning your living." "I'rn going to find one now," said Mr, eTadgltt turning away, vindictively, "And When 1 'ave found one, you 11 bo looking out for a Job yourself." He marched down the path and' on the road. As he turned the corner of the village street, he became aware of an elderly lady advancing In his direc tion. There was something hi the dig nifted sorrow In her face that made him pause. Mr. Cadgitt was a man of In stinct Instinct told him that this lady was Eolmr to the cottaeu ho had left, Instinct told him that she was Sam' imt roness. And Instinct bade him strike whilst the iron was hot. "Be rour irdou, muni," ho whined, "but could you spare a trlflo for a old soldier?" The lady looked at him with a sud den, quick Interest "A soldier!" she said. "And where have you I'ouulit. my man?" "Most anywheres, mum,' replied Mr. ('nil-'ttr. cautiously. "1 were In th Crimea." The lady's Interest quickened. "Ah," she said, softly. "My husband foiiKlit lu the Crimea." "Did to now?" oaid Mr. Cadgitt; with fWv pftr affectation of rwrjs4. h.ai nalght his nams have been uow, no was certain Aiwin." sas an-. ewwrel "Id yoa fctiQir UvX ' ury old pffie6rl" exclaimed Jdr. Ca gltt, ecstatically. Suddenly hjs face jiroppea. "But he wero killed there, num" he said, In dulcet tones of sym pathy. ''PhpTsJt ain't tho name.' "No," replied the lady, sa.dl. "It was the same. " He was killed by Russian tullet" , -? vl ?he was evidently moved. Her eyes Oiled with tears. "Ah, well," aaid Mr. Cadgitt, gently. He couldn't 'clp It, poor fellow. And perhaps 'e's better off whore 'e Is than me, that was swindled something cruel when I got back from the war," "Swindled !" exclaimed the lady, sur prised. "How swindled, my good man?" "It were this way, your ladyship," said Mr. Oadgltt. "When I got 'ome from the war I fell Into bad company, . There was a low, sneaking fellow of the name of Samuel Snfder, who got me Into bad wnys drinking and such. At' that time 'e 'ad a winkle barrer In a low part of London, but 'e lost 'Is trade by rolsonlng 'Is customers with bad shell fish. 'E wanted me to sell lm my medal ns I'd fought so 'ard to gain. 'E said if 'e 'ad a medal like that 'e could earn a living for 'lsself asler than selling winkles. Bnt I said no. I'd sooner part with life Itself. When 'e found ns 'e couldn't get It by fair moans, 'e tried others; for 'e were a nian(as'd stick at nothing. 'H pnt a drop o' snmmat .In my drink on night, and when I woke the medal was gone and 'e was gone, and I was eft penniless and destitute." Ilo drew Iris sleeve across his eyee to wipe away the tears of honest emotion. This," said Mrs. Alwln, vWth kind ling eyes, "Is a very strange story, my man." Mr. Cadgitt felt himself that it did him credit; but he only murmured a platitude about truth and fiction. 'And wot drives me mad is this. mum," he said. "I could stand being penniless. I could stand destitution. But when I think of that man as is somewhere about with my medal Im posing on the charity of kind 'ear ted folk, It fair drives me crazy." ' The old lady drew herself up. "Come with me," she Bald. This must be seen to." You don't mean to say as you know him I" said Mr. Cadgitt, with every evi dence of surprise. "You don't mean to say ns It's 'ere as 'e's been Imposing on people?" "He ls certainly here," said Mrs. Al wln, firmly. "Well, now, to think of that!" said Mr. Cadgitt "I'll go with you, mum, and expose 'lm. Mind you, though, It don't do to let 'lm 'ave too much of a say. 'E were a very persuasive man when I knew 'lm and 'ad read that many books about the Crimea that 's knew more about It than us that was thefe. Don't you let 'lm say a word, or 'e'll persuade you of anything." "I shall inquire Into the matter with strict Impartiality," said Mrs. Alwln, severely. ' "That's right, mnm," said Mr. Cad gitt, coceollng his disappointment aJ best he might "No man could aSk more than that. You be strictly Impar tial and shut 'lm up the moment 'o opens 'Is mouth." ne turned and followed her to tho cottage. The veteran In the chair noted their approach. His heart fail ed him ; and, feeling that perhaps half a loaf was better than no bread, ho made n rapid chango In his plan of campaign. Summoning a smile of pleasure and astonishment, he held out his hand to Mr. -Cadgitt "Why!" he exclaimed, "If 1 ain't my old pal, Henry Cadgitt, wot fought alongside of me In the Crimea." Mr. Cadgitt was so tuken uback that he responded. "Why!" he exclaimed, incautiously, charmed at thla apparent solution of the difficulty. "If It ain't Sam Snider as was wounded by the Frenchles at the battle of Inkennan!" They shook bands wlh simulated en thusiasm. Into their rejoicings the voice of Mrs. Alwln broke acidly. "Ho said," sho remarked, indicating ilr. Cadgitt but addressing Snider, "that at tho time of the Crimea you were selling sliell-fish in London." ''E lies!" said Sam, vencmously, Jerking away his iiaiul ns though he had been stung. "It were "lm that were selling winkles." "But you sahl Just now," Bhe retort ed, "that he fought alongside you." Had Sam been the least bit readier the catastrophe might have been avert ed. But for the momeut bis fluency deserted him; and that moment was a heart-searching one, In which truth, appeared so nukedly that both the vet erans blushed and were silent When Mrs. Alwln spoko again there was a new note in ber voice. I see," she said, slowly, "I have been deceived. I have a good mind to prosecute yon both." "It's very 'ard, said Bam, "when your 'usband died in my arms." "In our arms," said Mr. Cadgitt, still hopeful of half the loaf. Sho turned upon them wrathfully. "Never soil his name with your lips again!" she cried. "If either of you Is within ten miles of this place to morrow, I'll give you In charge for en deavoring to obtain money on false pretenses." She turned and left them. o Ijeft together, Mr. Snider told Mr. Cadgitt his opinion of him with what polltleans would cull "no uncertain voice." Mr. Cadgitt, at a loss for ver bal retaliation, replied by a blow on tho Jaw. The ensuing fight was watch ed by one or two urchins truant from school ; and from their reports It was generally conceded lu the village that the battle of Inkerman Itself could have been nothing to It. . Remark thut a plrl ls pretty, and someone who is present will say, "O, but you should see her younger sis ter." There 'younger sisters are a great drawback to u girl getting a repu tation for beauty. Thero ls everything In quitting be- I tot you have tired everyone out oaV f 1