The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-01-14

defantly thrust into the pockets ef his
trowsers, Needless of Mrs Wheaton's en-
ergetic demands as to owhat he meant by
that, hey?"
The sun was just setting behind the
line of leafess woods that fringed the fair
horizon, as Moses drove on his way; the
air was full of the aromatic breath of
fallen leaves, and the wind that whistled
through the quiet solitude was keen and
cold
"Guess we'll have sharp frost to- night
| if the wind goes down" soliloquised
Moses, as he chirruped to Dolly, the sleek
brown horse "Wonder how Mrs. Man
ners and Edith are off for Wood? Guess
| I'll send over little tomorrow. Live
and let live-that's my motto! Halo,
Mister!'' he shouted to leisureIy pedes-
trian, upon whom his eyes fell at that
moment, (which way you goin'? Want a
tlift?'
The stranger turned round at this sud-
den address, giving Moses thereby good
view of his outward man. He was tall
and slender, apparently about twenty-six
or seven years Of age, with dark wavy
hair, and cheeks bronzed by the sun of
some foreign cline, and there was in his
mean and indescribable something that
made Moses lift his hat with involuntary
greeting.
.Thank you,'' said the gentleman
good -humoredly 81 have been walking
some distance and should be very glad to
ride"
Walkin' some distance, eh?'' said Moses
as the stranger took the vacant seat at his
side. "Where might you be goin', if it s
fair question, sir!'
.Perfectly fairp' returned the gentle
man, smiling. II am going to visit some
very dear friends in this neigh borhood y
sOhr returned the baffled Moses. Then
you're acquainted round here?'
| 81 used to be"
'sDon't want to so no further'n the
crossroads, do you? Cause I've got to
stod there I'm carryin' basket Of
things TO Miss Edith Manners and her
mother, that lives just this sidy O therc?'
~sTo whonl2" said the stranger.
| .sMiss Edith Manners and Aer mother"
| Il thought understood, exclaimed
the gentleman, sthat they resided at Pine
| ly Halli''
| $50 they did, until bout year back
cause you see, Pinely Hall belonged to a
great friend O. theirn- Ia young ieller that
was brought up in furrin parts, and only
come over here, yisitin' occasionally. He
was engaged to marry Miss Edith, folks
said; but don't knew how true the re-
port was. Well, about twelve months
ago, lettcr came over, telhn how this
young man was drowned, while he was out
i boatin' on some o them lakes with the
outlandish names. OF course, the prop
. erty went to the heir-at-law-a sort O
distant cousin, and the poor ladies were
turned, bag and baggage, out of the Hall,
to provide for thenlselye, the best they
eould''
'sThe brute !" involuntarily exclaimed
the stranger. ssAnd does he make them
no allowance7n
1 "Not red cent! He is a brute, there S
no denyin it; and all the neighbors allow
he's hard man. I've been wantin' to
buy nice bit of land from the Hall prop
erty, that jines right on to mine-three
; acres of the prettiest meddor you evel
see-and Mr.. Hadley won't sell it at nc
price! That amt the kind o man to helr
two friendless ladies; and so they jest
J keep soul and body together by takin' il
SEWN. See that ar basket, Mister!'
'""Yes."
II swell that holds little thanksgivin
4 dinner PmAtakin' down to EN- from my
: place. Ican't dew much to help EN-, bu
try my best. / sent down load O
wood last month, and I calculate to sent
another to-niorrow, for Halo, wha
: you squeezin' my hand for chat join
crackin way?"
a'You are noble fellow" s,id the gen
ltlenlan, enthusiastically, sand | homo
you more than | can express
{ "What in thunder for?" exclaimed thu
famazed Moses Il hain't done no NOR,
than any other feller would that had
heart bigger'a a poppy seed! Going tt
r get cut here, sir?
"I must-l have business with thi
: Hadley fellow But if we both live,
shall see you again, my friend y
Q The Thanksgiving dinner was smokin;
5 door swung open, and Moses entered, hi
Y face beaming with suppressed exultation
( s.Hallo!'" be calculated. 81 aint late
It be L? Guess ] am by your face! Here
something to. sweeten it!'' and he flung
n folded parchment toward his wife.
! ''Land o massy, what's that, exclaime
! his wife,, = .-ts.s +. ssa
"a deed o. gift o them three acres be
/. llongin' to the Hall property,
al e'.W Who-on- airth-gaye EN- to you
t lshrieked Mrs. Wheaton, her mouth apar
and her eyes open wide in astonishmen
a8ss The gentleman who owns. the Hal
Z and who's goin' to be married to Mil
% Edith Manners, and settle down herer'
I'll Now, Moses, that's all nonsense-M
al Hadley s married o ready
is 81 see you haint heered the news sal
= Moses, plunging his carving knife I'M
the breast OF. the huge turkey "Wh
sti it's all over the village! The your
IL Squire wasn't drowned, although he con
,e pretty near-and he was i'll for months
,e a fever, that follered the accident, in SON
,e cottage in Italy, and now he's come hon