The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-06-25

! in the year!"
1t was just due month ago. The
rent is twelve pounds, but allowed him
four pounds for building bridge on the
river"
"Show me the bill"
The man pulling out large leather
pocket book, from it took bill. 1t was
iccelpted. Leeman took out his purse,
and counted out twenty gold sovercigns.
lie handed them to the landlord and took
the bill.
Il believe that settles the mat.er, sir"
my companion said, exeriing all his power
TO appear calm.
"les, sir" he repeated. "This makes
it all right"
Then suppose we can remain here
now, undisturbrd"
"But have no surety Of any pay for
the future. A month bias already run on
an unpaid term"
" 1t is right you should have your pay,
surely. Come tomorrow, sir, and | will
arrange 1t with you-only leave us row.
Mr., Vaughan cast one glance about the
room, but without speaking further he
left, and the officer had to follow him,
without having anything to earn a fee.
AS soon as they were gone, the old man
started TO his feet.
"Sir" he uttered, turning towards
Leeman, "wlat means this 2 Do YOU
think can ever pay you tack again ~
"Somctrne you car," returned NY
companion.
"les--yes, john" said the wife,
"sometime we will surely pay him."
Alas when Z"
Any tine within month will answer"
said Leeman.
Both the people looked aghast.
"Oh you have only planted more
msery for us, kind SIR cried the old
%an. "Wc could have borne TO be
stripped of our goods by the landlord,
better than we can bear 10 rob a noble
friend. You must take our stock-our
cows and sheep"
q" But not yet" resumed Lcenan. al
have another way. Listen. Once YOU
had Il boy-a wild, reckless, wayward
child"
"fes," murmured the old man.
"And what became OF him 2"
For some moments the father was 81.
: lent, but at length said:
Alas lie fled from home long wears
! ago. One might've lived then far of
in North llamptoushire-my boy jo;ned
witb lot OF other boys, most Of them
older than himself and went into the
park Of Sir Thomas Boyle and carried
away two deer. He was detected, and
to escape punishment, no fed-and ]
have--not-seen him since. But Sir
Thomas would not have punished him, for
he told me so afterwards"
g And tell we, John Leeman, did you
/ ever bear from thai boy p
"Never" answered the old man.
rs soon as l heard my companion pro
nounce the old mans name, the truth
flashed upon me in an instant and | wa,
J not alone in THIS conviction. The auicL
heart OF the mother had caught the sparL
OF hope and love. AT that moment the
fire upon the hearth blazed up, and. as the
light poured OFT iato the Eopm, ray com.
panion's face was fully revealed. The
woman arose and walked towards him
She laid her hand upon his head, and
trembling she whispered:
, For the loyc Of Heaven. don't deceive
me. But eak TO me-let me call you
-Nathan--Nathan-Leeman!"
And | shall answer, for that is my
name spoke the man, starting up.
"And what would you call. me-" the
woman gaspcd.
"My motherw
The fire cleaned more brightly upon
the hearth, and ! saw that aged woman
upon the bosom Of hei long lost boy, and
then saw the father totter up and jpir
them-and heard murmured words o
blessing and JOY, arose and slipped ou,
OF the room ard went 10 the BAN.
IL was an hour before [ returned. and
then found all calm and serene, save
that the mother was still weeping, for the
head OF her returned boy was resting upon
her shoulders, and her arm was about hi.
neck. Nathan arose as L entered, and
with smile he bade me be seated.
You know all, as well as can tell
you" said he. "When you first stopped
hero | had no hope Of finding my parent.
here, for when | went away, sixteen
years ago, | left them in Kings tIropt
upon the Ken. knew them Of course
but ], wished to see il they would know
me. But from fourteen to thirty is y
changing period. think God sent me
here" he added in lower tone, "for only
think what curious circumstances had com
bned to bring me to this cot"
On the following morning resumed
myjourney alone, but had to promise that
| would surely call there again on my re
turn, which | did in eight days, and spent
night there. Money possessed some
strange charms. For it had not only Civ.
en-, to,the poor peasant sure home for
the rest Of his life, but it had brought
hcaltl. back tn the sick boy. An experi.
eneed physician from Salisbury had visit
ed him. and he was now able to be about.
| remained long enough to know thai an
earthly heaven had grown up in that
earthly cot. Nathan Lceman told me