Litchfield enquirer., 1864-01-28

lend us and towards gettlh on. Whats be- come O the old 'oman ?"
 She died," said J.J., "soon after you you-left."
 Where did she die, then ?" asked the ell. der, carelessly Gin the work'us,I suppose ?"
 J. J. nodded assent, and was treated by his father to voley of unintelligible explosives, the name of Noman alone being distnguisha- ble. At last the senior growled fercely ," Y ou won't tell any one you've seen me any low l; you wouldn't be such cur as that. if you won't do any thing towards seein' us ont o no. no, no. But what eaa, I do :" ask ed poor J. J.
 Why, you've got a better pair O boots than them, I dessay.' rejoined the elder, show ing boot over the wall 'an' a pair O breech- es as aint bu 'stin," showing rent or so in his own corduroys
 Il can manage that for yon," replied J. J. ;; /" I'll go and fetch them in minute therell be nobody here fol the rest of the evening"
 Notwithstanding this assuring assertion, the elder dropped down and squatted against the wall, waiting for the return of his son with the articles. This was matter of but few min utes. The things were handed over the wall, and the son said gently: t You'll find some thing in the pockets, ia ather I've saved little money, and you'll find it there I've often thought of you by night and day and I've fan cied you'd come back again."
 t You're the right sort" remarked the sen for, with an expletive. $ But what kind O place lave you got with this blackguard 9
 " Hush father ; he's very good to me, what ever hs may have been to you in times past"
 Curse him P rejoned the elder. Is~'e at 'ome now ?"
 Mo- replied the junior he's gone to sneshingham to receive bis rents, and I'm to join him at Allingham tomorrow"
 What Aliugham down in the fen, you mean-about 'alf way between ere and Snesh- ingham ?''
 Yes"
 " here doeS he put up '"
 At Joe Shows"
 What the Five miles from anywhere, as We used to call it?''
 Yes. Do you know it ?''
 II know every inch O ouse and land. And 50 old Joe's still alive! It's dreary place fo~ travellers"
 So it is, observed J. J. thoughtfulIy; "but sleep in a little room leading out of flis''-
 Aud old Joe IS an honest chap" brake in the senior, ckeerily. '' You'll be there, sup pose, by this time 10 morrow 2
 Yes I'm to be there hy seven o'clock
 It seems rum start for a gen 'inau for to collect is own rents and then you'd think ed put 'em in the bank at Snesaaglam.'
 Mr. Nonan has some strange ways. Be- sides how did you know he didn't bank at Snestinghan ?'
 l didn't know it till you told me this min ute" laughed the senior but, Lor', it don t matter to the likes O me where e banks. Give us paw, lad good night
 He nodded, and slouched off, leaving his son to ponder seriously over the events of the evening. How ought he to act with respect to Mir. Noman 2 He had promised his father that he would tell no one of his return but he had spoken hurriedly, without thinking. Per haps Mir. Noman might hear of it from some other source, for the returned convict might possibly have been recognized by some in his native village. NEr. Noman was a stern man, and would undoubtedly give information to the authorities and then C. J., if caught, would be hanged-for death was at that time the penalty for his escape. Poor J. J. was in a dilemma ; he was determined not to have his fathers blood upon his hands, and at the same time it was evident from his fathers manner that he harbcred ill feelings against Mir. Mo- man, and probably meant to be avenged upon him in some way. Ought he not to put Mr. Noman on his guard He would think what course he should pursue as he rode the next day over to Allingham.
 What course he determined on was never known.
 He arrived at Allingham at the appointed time, performed the duties required of him, supped with old Joe Snow in the bar, where, Joe recolleeted afterwards, he seemed restless and uneasy. smoked his pipe, and when the bell rung went up to his little room leading in- to Mir. Noman's. Old Snow remained smok- ing his pipe in the bar, and was little alarm ed, though not at all astoniShed (for he knew Mir. Noman' s temper) to hear, about an hour after J. . had retired, voices in loud dispute He listened and heard MT. Noman distinctly say ;" You'll leave my service tomorrow then"
 Very well," was the sullen answer You'll be sorry for it, though"
 Joe laughed to himself as he heard two doors slammed, and pictured to himself the recur- renee next morning of a scene he had once or twice witnessed before. J. J. would come down early for Mr. Noman's hot water, knock at Mr. Noman's door, enter. holdingshis iug like herald's wand before him, and say : " Hot water, sir. Beg pardon, sir; hope no za. A,,1 A1,