Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-12-26

lliVt bOW a iONiuK remembrance %
that pretty home, Of fathers Cheerful
smiles az he worked in the garden. amid
the gay flower-beds Of the hum OF tn,
bees, the honeysuckle in the hedge, ant
the merry song of mother as she sal
working In the porch, had been dwell
upon and thirsted for, ..intfar distant snc
perhaps more beautiful scenes.
shes tired out,.n said Pearson, with
ashrewd guess at what was passingi in hii
childs thoughts; take her to bed
mother. Mrs. Pearson looked at him
helplessly; "she can sleep VII you to
night, and I'll make shift somehow
The wife cast doleful glance at tn.
damp bricks, and the old sack that wa,
carpet, hearthrug, and all but the same
sense of shame which had hitherto kept
her silent made her lead her. daughter
away without remonstranoe, and5 hope
that, as there was good fire, he would
contrive to keep himself dry and warm
A crustof the loafat day break, a draught
OF water from the pail at the door, and
John Pearson, stiff and aching with the
rheumatism which had coHrinuaffy COR
mented him since he came to Patchet
Mead, plodded away to his work and
Lucy, glad to exchange the close cham
Der for the fresher air without, started
up to sec what she could de TO better the
condition of her family. Nothing could
make cottage at Patchet Mead fit for 9
dwelling-house; but it wore cheerier
aspect than itshad ever assumed before
when John Pearson came home to din
ner, and sat down to discuss savory
stew with the Zest half-famished man
brings to meal. And Lucy stood and
watched him as he ate, and nursed the
baby, while her mother supplied the
wants of the other children.
you'll get away from here, father, u
she said, "as soon as we can hear of a
better cottage; and, please God, there
will be no more of these dark days. 1t il
MT much I've saved from my wages "
"Child, how could you, when you've
done so much for us?" her mother ia
terposed.
at is MT much I've saved" Lucy
went on; but, besides my mourning,
Mr.. and Mrs. Spencer gave me, when 1
came away, a ffve-pound nete, with
kind words that were worth as much
and tossing the baby. "As for the mon
ey, why, it's yours, you know-all yours:
and mother must have some tapes and
cottons and keep, shop, and Johnnie
will contrive to mind baby till he's well
enough to go to work again. ~
There was burst OF thankful pleas
ure at this announcement, and Johnnie,
forgetting his aches and pains, declared
1t was like fairy story, and Lucy was
the good fairy. Even Pearson, in the
prospect of better times, lifted his bowed
head, and smiled but the next moment
he pushed his plate away, and gazed at
the uncurtained window, with shadow
creeping over his face. Johnnie hitched
his chair nearer, to see what father wss
looking at. From the direction OF the
village, two men, tall, erect, and me-
thodical, were approaching.
II know who they are, the boy oh
served. 1.-The first ones Sergeant Smith,
and tother's the new policeman. They
we been over here before this morning. -
Pearson drew his hand across his
brow.
What did they want, lad ?"he ask ed
in lowered tone. What did they
want, say?"
The boy, staring innocently in his
perturbed face, answered that he did not
know, that he had seen them 70 by
while his mother and Lucy were busy u p
stairs.
Pearson rosa from his chair, but Lucy's
hand was on his shoulder.
You I'll not go yet father! You
have MT heard half our plans.
But he moved towards the door as if
he had not heard her. She followed him
with a coaXing, 40 do stay, dear father!"
He put her back with his hand, and
bade her "Hark !" with such frighten-
ed look in his eyes, that his wife began
to perceive that something was amiss.
She hurried to his side, tremulously ask
ing
10 John, what is it? What ails YEP"
He was listening intently. The steady
step of the men he had seen crossing
the field came nearer as she spoke naar-
er still, as she stood breathlessly await
ing his reply. Did they pass the door I?
No! Yes; and John Pearson's eye lost its
startled expression, and he could smile
again.
at is all right, you silly woman! but
I'm in a hurry. Don't keep me, Lucy;
I'll be at home as early as can"
The promise was. only half uttered.
The door had opened, and on the thresh-
hold stood the precise figure of Police
sergeant Smith, who stepped forward as
Pearson staggered back and dropped on
a low bench that stood near.
"I'm sorry I'm here on such an err
rand" "quoth thepolice sergeant, doffing
his hat to the well-dressed Lucy. "Your
servant, miss but dutys duty, We know,
and must be carried out :"
"l've done no wrong gasped Pearson,
while the rest stood mute with terror.
Leastways, meant no wrong"
Don't say anything to commit your
self, " said the sergeant, warningly. You
Ter accused of stealing two hurdles, val
ued at eightpence, the property ofFarm-
er Lawson, of Patchet Farm
"My John steal hurdles " cried the
wife, incredulously. "Whe says such
a cruel thing of him? What should he
steal hurdles for?" t a
"To burn, 1 suppose that 's what
mostly becomes of farmers fence-pOles,
and fagots, and such like.
"But not with us, Mrs. Pearson re-
piled, proudly. "Why, we ha'nt had a
bit Of fire bigger than ths palm of my
hand since the Christmas gifts until"
This Morning, she was about to add,
when Lucy's purse had replenished the
but the blaze of the prece-
ling night, the armful of sticks, procur-
ID she knew not how, flashed into
ler mind; and, bending over her hus-
,and, she hid her face on his shoulder.
The unhappy couple disdaned to at
empt any subterfuge. Pearson imme-
liately confessed to the deed. The
s--half-rotten-had been lying in
corner of the field adjoining his yard
or many months, and were not worth
he trouble of removing. They were
iseless, except for the purpose TO which
.,oyjs 70 th .lI, in hta parplaxity had an