The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-27

moments hesitation, "show him in. Poor
fellow" he continued, after the servant had
gone; I'll wonder what he wants. In truth
| pity him"
With trembling stepand downcast look
Thomas Wilkins entered Captain Walkers
parlor
"Ah, Wilkins" said the old Captain,
"what has brought you here2"
The man twice attempted to speak, but
his heart failed him.
"Do you come for charitv2"
mo, sir" quietly returned Wilkins,
while his eyes CLEANED with proud light.
Then sit down and out with it," said
Walker in blunt but kind tone.
"Captain Walker" commenced the poor
man, us he took the proffercd seat, 81 have
come to ask you if you still own that little
cottage beyond the hiIIl"
Il do"
rs it occupied"
"No."
"Is it engagcdl"
No." returned the captain, regarding
his visitor with uncommon interest, but
why do you askl"
captain Walker" said Wilkins in a
firm and manly tone, even though his eyes
gIlstened and his lips quivered. al have
been poor and degraded, deeply steeped
IN the dregs Of poverty and disgrace
Everything that made life valuable have
almost lost. My wife and children have
sutfercd-and o! God only knows how
keenly! | have long wandered in the path
OF sin. One after another the tender cords
OF friendship that used to bind me to the
world have snapped assunder my name
has become aby-word, and upon the earth
have been u foul blot. But, sir from
hcnceforth | am a man. Up from the
depths of its long grave, | have drarred
forth my heart, and love still has its home
therein. have sworn to touch the fatal
cup no more; and while in my heart there
is life, my wife and my children shall suf
Ter no more for the sin they never commit
ted. l have seen my old employer at the
machine shop, and he has given me II sit
uatlon, and is anxious that should come
back; and, sir, he has been kind enough to
give me an order in advance for necessary
articles of clothing, food and furniture.
Tomorrow morning commence work."
And You came to see If you could oh.
tain Your cottage back again to live inl'
said Captain Walker, as wilkins hesitat-
ed.
"fes, sir, to see If Icould hire it of you,n
returned the poor man.
wilkins, how much can YOU make mt
your businessf' blunt'y asked the old CAP
tam, without seeming to heed the request.
My employer is going to put me on
job work, sir, and as soon as get my
hand in, | can easily make from twelve to
fourteen dollars week."
"And how much will it take to support
your family"
AS soon as | get cleared up, can casi-
~ gct along with five or six dollars u
week"
Then You might be able to save about
four hundred dollars ycar."
81 mean to do that, sir"
n few moments Captain Walker razcd
into the face Of his visitor, and then he
asked.
"ilave You pledged yourself yctl"
Before God and in my heart have;
but one of my errands here was to get YOU
To write me IL pledge, and have it made to
my wife and children"
Captain W'lkcr sat down to his table
and wrote out the required pledge and
then in atrembling but bold hand, Thomas
Wilkins signcd it.
"Wilkins," said the old man, as he took
his visitor 10y the hand. ~ have watched
well your countcnance, and weighed your
words. knoW You speak the truth. When
bought that cottage from your creditors
six years ago, paid them one thousand
dollars for it. IL has not been harmed, and
Is rs good as it was then. Most of the
time have received good rent for it
Now, sir, you shall have it for Just what
pnid for it, and each month You shall
pay me such sum as you can comfora-
bly, spare until it is all paid. I will ask
you no rent, nor for a cent Of interest,"
You shall have a deed Of the estate and
in return | will take but simple note and
mortgage, upon which you can have your
own time"
Thomas Wilkins tined to thank the old
man for his kindness, but he only sank
back into his chair and wept like a child;
and while he yet sat with his face buried
in his hands, the old man slipped from
the room. And when he returned, lac bore
in his hand neatly covered basket.
"Come, come" the captain exclaimed,
'cheer up, M friend. Here are some bits
for your wife and children-take them
home; and believe me, Wilkins, if you feel
half as happy in receiving my favor as
do in bestowing it, you are happy indeed"
'God will bless you for this, sir" ex-
claimed the kindness stricken man; "and
when betray your confidence may die
on the instantm
"Stick to your pledge, Wilkins, and
will take care Of the rest" said the old
captain, as his friend took the basket. "If