The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-10-27

ralner' SAID the boy, with forced calm.
ness, after the cruel stripes had ceased,
l was not TO blame, and il you will 90
with me to the teacher, can prove nv
self innocent.
Mr.. Walcott had never known his son
tell an untrath, and the words fell with a
rebuke upon his heart.
Very well-we will see about that, he
answered, with forced. sternness; and
leaving the room, he went down stairs.
feeing much more uncomfortable thar
when he went up. Again he seated him.
sell III his large chair, and again leaning
back lls weary head, and closed his hea
w .eyelids Sadder was his face than
before. AS ne sat thus his eldest daupb.
ter, in her sixteenth year, came in and
stood by him. She held paper in her
hand
Father y he opened his eyes.
Here's my quarters bill can't have
the money to take to school with me in
the morning =
Il am afraid not answered Mr.. Wal.
oott half ia despair.
Nearly all the girls will bring in their
money TO morrow, and it mor,ifes me to
be behind the Others The daughter
spoke fretfully. Mr.. Walco:t waived her
aside with his hand, and she went off
muttering and pouting.
1T is mortifying,' said Mrs. Walcott. a
little sharply; and don't wonder that
Helen feels annoyed about il. The bill
has to be paid and don't see why il may
not be done as well at first rs last
To this Mr.. Walcott made no answer.
The words but added another pressure to
the heavy burden under which ne was al.
ready staggering. After silence OF some
moments, Mrs. %alcott said:
The Goals are all gone
Impossible " Mr.. Walcott raised his
head and looked incredulous. i laid in
sixteen tons
Il can't help it, il there were sixty tons
instead of sixteen, they are all goue. The
girls had hard work to day to scrape en-
ough to keep the fire in.'
There has been shameful waste some
where,' said Mr.. Walcott, with strong
emphasis, starring up and moving about
the room III very disturbed manner.
so you always say, when anything
runs out answered Mrs. Walsott rather
!ar,Iy. The barrel of -four is gone, also,
but suppose you have done your part,
with the rest, in using it up.
Mr.. Wnlcott returned to his chair, and
again seating himself, leaned back his
head and closed his eyes at first. How
sad, and weary and hopeless he Eel, =
The burdens Of the day had seemed al.
most L"o heavy for him; but he had
borne up braveIy. TO gather strength
'or a renewed struggle with adverse cir
cn'nstances he lad come home. Alas !!
mat The process OF exhaustation should
sill go on-ihat where only strength
could be looked for OH earth, no strength
was given.
When the tea bell rang, Mr.. Walcott
made no movement TO obey the sum.
nous.
Come to supper said his wife, coldly.
But he did not stir.
Are YOU coming to supper . she call
ed TO h'm, as she was leaving the room.
don't wish Tor anything this evening
MY head aches very much, he answered.
In the dumps again ! mut,ered Mrs.
Waicott to herself. 'lrs as much as ones
lie ls worth to ask for money, or to say
anything Is wanted And she kept on
her way to the dining room. When she
returned, her husband was still sitting
where she had left him.
Shall bring you cup Of tea,' she
asked.
NO, don't wish for anything
Whats the matter, MIR. Walcott =
what do you look so troubled about, as i
you hadnta friend in the world! What
nave done to youf
There was no answer, for there was not
shade OF real sympathy in the voice
that made the queries, but rather of quer.
ulous dissatisfaction. A few moments
Mrs. Walcott stood behind her husband,
but as ne did not seem to be inclined to
answer her questions, she turned away
rom him, and resumed the employment