The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-03-14

pooA
"Nonscnse =" uttered the unfeeling man.
=" I'm used to such stuff. make living
by renting my farms, and this farm is one
of the best have. A good man can lay up
more than ten pounds year here"
"But We have been sick" urged the
woman.
That isn't my fault. you are paupers,
you know where to 90 to get taken care OIL
Now don't want another word. Cut you
90 tonight, unless you pay me the twenty
pounds, and your cows and sheep go too.'
was just upon the point of turning to
my companion to ask him if he would not
help me make up the sum, for | was deter
mined that the poor folks should not be
turned out thus. The woman had sunk
down, and she too, had covered her face with
her hands. At that moment Nathan Lee
man sprang to his feet. His face was very
pale, and for the FIRST time l saw that the
tears had been running down his cheeks.
Look ye, sir,' to the said Vaughan,
show much do these people owe youy'
Twenty pounds" returned he, regard
ing his interlocuter sharply.
"And when did this amount come due in
the year,"
ait was due just one month ago. The
rent is twelve pounds, but allowed him
four pounds for building bridge over the
river"
"Show me the bill"
The man pulled out a large leather pocket
book, and from thence he took a bill. 1t
was receipted. Lceman took out his purse,
and counted twenty soyereigns. Hchanded
them to the landlord, and took the bill.
81 believe that settles the matter, sir"
my companion said, cxcrting all his power
to appear calm.
"Ycs, SIR" returned Vaughan, gazing
first upon the man who had given him the
money, to see if he was in earnest, and then
turning to the window to see if the gold was
pure. "Yes, SIR" he repeated. "This
makes it all right"
=" Then suppose we can remain here now
undisturbed."
But have no surety of any pay for the
future. a month has already run on an
unpaycd term.'
at is right you should have your pay,
surely. Come tomorrow, sir, and will
arrange it with yOu-only leave us now."
Mr.. Vaughan cast one more glance about
the room, but without speaking further he
left and the officer had to follow him, with
out having done anything to earn fec.-I
AS soon as they were gone, the old man.
started to his feet.
"Sr," he uttered, turning towards Lee
man, "what means this? Do you think i
can even pay you hack again?'
Sometime you cam" returned my COM
paniOn.
Yes-yes john" said the wife, "somc-
time we shall surely pay him."
+" Alas when?"
ANY time within month will answer"
said Lecman.
Both the old people looked aghast.
"oh! you have only planted more misery
for US, kind SIR" cried the old man. ave
could have borne to bo stripped of our goods
by the landlord, better than we can bear to
rob a noble friend. You must take our
stock-our cows and sheep"
" But not yet" resumed Leeman. 81
have another way. Listen: Cncc you had
boy-a wild, reckless, wayward child"
eyes, murmured the old man.
And what became Of him."
For some moments the father was silent
but at length said,
"Alas he fed from home, long years
ago. One pight-we lived then far of here
in Northamptonshire-my boy joined with
a lot Of other youths, 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 the punish
ment, he aed-and I have not seen him
since. But Sir Thomas would not have
punished him, for he told me so afterwards.
"And tell me, John Leeman, you never
hear from that boy?"
"Never" answered the old man.
As soon as heard my companion pro-
nounce the old mans name, the truth fash
ed upon me in an instant; and was not
alone in the conviction. The quick heart of
the mother had caught the spark Of hope
and love. At that moment the fire upon
the hearth blazed up, and as the light pour
ed into the room, my companions face was
fully revealed. The woman arose and walk
ed towards him. She laid her hand upon
his head, trembling she whispered,
"Fcr the love of heaven don't deceive me.
Do speak to me--let me call you-Noihan
-Naihdn Leemdnr'
And should answer, for that is my
name :" spoke the man, starting up.
"And what would ye call mc?" tho
woman gaspcd.
"Mr MornER."
The FIRE cleaned more brightly upon the
hearth, and saw that aged woman upon
the bosom of her long lost boy. And then
saw the father tottcr up and join them
and heard murmured words of blessing
and ofjoy. IarOsc and slipped out of the
room and went to the harm; when | got
there took out my handkerchiefand wiped
the tears from my checks. 1t 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 yet resting upon her neck. Nathan
arose as entered, and with smile he bade