Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-02-12

welcome
As soon as the horses were taken care of.
we followed the old man into the house. He
was grey-headed man, certainly on the down
hill side of three scores, and his form was bent
by hard work His countenance was naturally
kind and benevolent, but there were other
marks upon his brow than those of old age
The moment saw him | knew he had seen
much of suffering 1t was a neat room to
which we were led, living room, but vet free
from dirt and clutter An old woman was Just
building fire for supper, and as we entered
she arose from her work
"Some travellers, wife, caught in shower"
| said the old man.
Surely, gentlemen, you're welcome" the
woman said in a tone so mild and free that
| knew she spoke only the feelings of her
SOUL
It's poor fare that we can give you, but
the heart of the giver must cen make up for
that"
thanked the good people and assured
| them | would pay them we'll for all they did
for US.
Speak not of pay" said the woman taking
her tea kettle from the hob and hanging it
upon the crane.
"Stop wife," uttered the old man, tremulous-
ly. Let not your heart run away with We If
the good gentlemen have to spare out of
their abundance, it becomes not such sufferers
as we to refuse their bounty"
saw the woman place her apron to her
eyes, but she made no reply. The door, close
by the fireplace, stood partly open and l saw
in the room beyond, a bed, and l was sure
there was some one in it. | asked the old man
if he had sickness.
"Yes," he said, with sad shake of the
head My poor boy has been sick a long
while. He's the only child have-the only
helper on the little farm, and he's been sick all
the spring and summer. I've taken care of
the sheep, but couldn't liant It's hard, but
we don't despair My good wife-God bless
her-shares the trial with me and | think !
she takes the biggest share"
NO. no, don't say So" uttered the wife
" No woman could do the work that vou do
" | don't mean to tell too much, Margaret, |
only you know that you have kept me up"
A call from the sick room took the wife
away, and the old man began to tell me. in
answer to my questions some of the peculiari-
ties of the great Plain, for we were on it now
and found him well informed and intelligent. !
At length the table was set, the clean white
cloth spread, and we were invited to sit TIP
We had excellent white bread, sweet butter,
some fine Stewed damSonS, and a capital cup
Of tea. There We're no excuses, no apologies
only the food was before us, and we were urr-
ed to help ourselves While we were eating. .
the rain ceased falling, but the weather was by !
no means clear, though just as we moved from
the table CLEAN of golden light shot through |
the window from the setting SUM-
1t may have been half ain hour after this
it was not more than that-when a wagon
drove up to the door in which were two men. |
The old man had Just come in from the barn, |
and it was not so dark but we could see the |
faces of the men in the wagon They were |
middle aged men, one of them habited in q
sort of jockey hunting garb, and the other
dressed in black clothes, with that peculiar
style of hat and cravat which marks the Off |
Ger. | turned towards our hest for the pur-
pose of asking if he knew the new comers, and |
| saw he was very pale and trembling. A low |
deep groan escaped him, and in a moment |
more his wife moved to his side, and put her !
arm about his neck She had been trembling,
but the groan Of her husband seemed to call |
her to herself
Don't fear, john" she softly said They |
can't take away our love, nor our souls Cheer |
up. I'll be support to ye, John, when all
else are gone"
A tear rolled down the old mans cheek, but |
when another started he wiped it away, and |
having kissed his wife, he arose from his chair
Just then the two men entered. He in the
jockey coat came first and his eyes rested up.
on Leeman and myself.
Only some travellers, Mr. Vaughan" said
our host
So Mr. Vaughn turned his gaze elsewhere
about the room, and at length it was fixed mp
on the old man.
Well" he said, "what about the rent ?"
We haven't penny Of it, yet sill" answer
ed the host, trembling.
Not penny Then how'll you pay me
twenty pounds 2"
e Twenty pounds !" murmured the old man,
painfully. ALAS, cannot payit. You know
Walter has been long sick and every penny |
could earn has been paid the doctor You
know he was to have earned the rent if he had |
been wells
Il don't know anything about it." returned |
the landlord doggedly-for Mr.. Vaughan own
ed the little farm, it afterwards appeared. "All |
| know is, that you have had the house and |
land, and that for two whole years you haven't |
paid me penny You know told you a
month ago that you should have just one month |
to pay me- That month was up last night
Can you pay me ~
No ! No 20, God knows can't.
"Then you leave the house"
When 2"
Tonight !"
You do not mean that You will not turn |
US ont so quickly as"
Out upon your prattling What do you
mean by that ? Yon had notice month ago !
How long a notice do you suppose give If
You haven't had time in month to move,
then you must look out for the consequences |
Tonight you move 1t you want a. shelter