Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-06-11
EV VENING STAR.
THE SEA.CAPTA1Ns ADVENTURE.
I CONCLUDED. I

| CONCLUDED.
"You do not mean that. You will not turn
| us out so quickly as -"
| "Out upon your prating What do you
mean by that? You had notice month ago
How long notice do you suppose L give. If
then you must look out for the consequences
Tonight you move! If you want a shelter
you may go into the old house at the horse
| pond
'But there is not a window in it.''
| "Beggars should mt be chooSers," remarked
Mr.. Vaughan. " If it hadn't been for hunt
| ing up the officer, 1 should have been here
this morning But 'tisn't my fault. Now
| can have a good tenant right off, and he
wants the house tomorrow. So there is not
word to be said. L shall take your two
| cows and your sheep, and if they 60 for more
than twenty pounds after taking out the ex-
| penses, you shall have the balance back"
| The poor peasant gazed for moment, half
| wildly, into the landlord face, and then sank
into a chair, and covered his face with his
| hands.
"My cows. my sheep" he groaned spas
medically. GO, kill me, and have done with
| it"
| "In Gods name, Mr.. Vaughan" cried the
wife, "Spare us them. We will leave the
cot, and we will work with all our might,
until we pay you every farthing, but do not
1
boy will die! o, you are rich, and we are
poor!''
Nonsense :" uttered the unfeeling man.
{" m used to such stuff. L make a living by
renting my farms, and this farm is one of the
| best L have. A good man can lay up more
| than ten younds year here"
But we have been sick, - urged to woman
"That isn't my fault If you are paupers
you know where to go and get taken care of.
| Now do not want another word. Out you
go, tonight, unless you pay me the twenty
| pounds, and your cows and sheep 60 too"
was just upon the point of turning to my
| companion to ask him if be would not help
me make up the sum, for l was determined
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 Leeman sprang to his feet. His
face was very pale, and for the first time L
saw that tears had been running down his
| cheeks.
Look ye SIR he said to Vaughan, chow
much do these people owe you
Twenty pounds" returned he, regarding
his interlocutor, sharply.
"And when did this amount come due in
the year,"
"It was just due a month ago The rent
| is twelve pounds, but L 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 a bill 1t was receipted.
| Leeman took out his purse, and counted out
| twenty gold sOvereigns He handed them to
| the landlord, and took the bill.
''I believe that settles the matter, sir, my
companion said, exerting all his power to ap-
| pear calm.
eyes, 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 un-
| paid term
"It is right you should have your pay,
surely. Come tomorrow, sir, and L will ar
| range il with you-only leave US now"
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 fee. As soon as
they were gone, the old man started to his
| feet.
"Sir," he uttered, turning teSards Lee
man, what means this Do you think can
ever pay you back again %
Sometime you can," returned my COM
panion.
Yes-yes, john" said the wife, "sOme-
time we will surely pay him"
"Alas! when 30
"Any time within a month will answer"
| said Leeman.
Both the people looked aghast.
ooh you have only planted more misery
for US, kind sir,'' cried the old man. eve
could have borne to be stripped of our goods
| by the landlord, better than we can bear to
| rob noble friend. You must take our stock
our COWS and sheep"
But not yet, resumed Lseman. al have
| another way. Listen. Once you had boy
"a wild, reckless wayward child"
4" Yes, 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 might've lived then far off in North
Hsmptonshire-my boy joined with 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 detect
| ed, and to escape punishment, he fed-and 1
haye-not-seen him since But Sir Thomas
would not have punished him, for he told me
SO afterwards"
"And tell me, John Leeman, did you ever
hear from that bey!'
Never" answered the old man.
As soon as | heard my companion pronounce
the old mans name, the truth flashed upon
! me in an instant and was not alone in this
conviction. The quick heart Of the mother
had caught the spark of hope and love. At
that moment the fire upon the hearth bla.ed
| up, and as the light poured out into the room,
my companions face was fully revealed. The
| woman arose and walked towards him. She
| laid her hand upon his head, and trembling
| she whispered
"For the love of Heaven don't deceive me-
| But speak to me-let me call you-Nathan-
Nathan Leeman.''
"And 1 shall answer-for that is my name :"
| spoke the man, starting up.
"And what would you call me" the woman
gasped.
"My mother"
The fire cleaned more brightly upon the
hearth, and 1 saw that aged woman upon the
| bosom of her long lost boy, and then L saw
| the father totter up and join them-and L
heard murmured words of blessing and joy.
1 arose and slipped out of the room and went
| to the barn.
1t was an hour before / returned, and then
L 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 his neck. Nathan
arose as entered, and with smile he bade
II