Nebraska Newspapers

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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