The huntsman's echo. [volume] (Wood River, Buffalo County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1860-1861, 1860-10-25


the drysgocds line, aud he seemed
from the outset 10 have taken fancy
10 old Vincent While young clerk,
even, he had been always mindful of
The poor olh hunciiab ok, and as he
subsequently got 10 be better of in
his own p, cuhaTy circumstances, he
became more liberal than ever. drop
ping his daily shilling or half-crown
into the box, ts'he went or return
ed. and always with a cheering word
TO old Tom as he passed.
In the meantime Toms means had
accumulated, and he had gol together
a very handsome sum, which he had
invested to good advantage in his real
name His family were domicied 10
remote part of the town. and be vis-
led them Diioe or twice week. only.
Tor many a lonc and weary year. Al
length he became less regular in his
appearance at lis accustomed tsofncr,
arriving much later in tbs mcrniug
than usual, and departing earlier at
night then day would pass with
out Tons making his appearance at
all, very strange circumstance in the
estimation Of those who had known his
regularity so long: finaiiy, he came
bul twice or thrice a week, and was
plainly morc aeciepit and miserable I,
and sickly than ever. To those who !
had seen ard observed old Vincent |
the longest. it was clear that the beg
gar was rapidly foiiinS in health, ami |
il was thought that lie would soon be
missed from his post finally. and for
ever. Tom was very OH and weakly,
lame and worn out, and tic numerous
friends OF the needy man. decreased I
heir daily favors. for it was eviiesgi
that be would not need then charities
a great while longer, at best.
SIr. Mortimer had lately pissed |
rom locale. but The begaar observed
hat he dropped only lew ha pence
n the litile box, then penny or TWO.
hen nothing for whole week. y
as, nc went by upon The other side
If The way, his was a queer arrange
nent, thoHght Tom. What had he
lone to offend him =? What had Lap
,ened to cause lhe sudden change IN
lis friends habit and bis long contin- ;
led favor? Tom could not imagine {
Why he was thus remiss.
One day, Mr.. Mortimer crossed ,
,yer, however, dropped hali.c crown /
II the box, and balled. 4
"IIow ere you, Tom 2" he said I
indy. it
Poorly. sir, poorly" respondei )
he begsar. II
"You havn't been here of late so c
egularly as befors," added Mr.. Nor !
inner. "Wbat's the mat,er?" Il
mot so well as iormerly y and get q
ing old, master" said Tom II
"As poor as ever, too?'' S
GAS poor as ever" responded Tom
Mortimer started, moment after. q
yards. suddenly, gazsd for an ms aut r
pom Toms partially exposed shirt. d
osom. and then went ou about his 0
usiness. The beggar soon afterwards
ncured his little box, and returned to {
is humble lodgings, in dingy court.
&lf mile westward.
That couldn't have been a gem
ot real jewel, surely" muttersd h
1ortinner to himself. rs he hurried e
long the pavement, remembering c
hal ha had just caught glimpse OF
ccidentally, in Ton Vincent DO. .
om "lt was snowy though. an j ar. !,
stically set. IL could not have been {,
diamond. and vet it was very bril- t,
ant. What is this old beegar doing 5,
18th crystal. even. in his shir'-bo. v
om:' continued Mortimer, to him.
eli. astonished. Can it be that Tom il
a Geceiver. like The rest? must a
ee to dis" added Mortimer, shrewd.
?. Il must see to this. He may \
ave found it, and perhaps may not
now its value. II may be glass. We 81
,ust know its history and Mortimer
ontiuued on towards his establish.
,ent, which was now in the hands OF NJ
is creditors, for the tredesman had
,tterly been unfortunate. and his