South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-12-06

The young man looked up at her with
stnrtled expression on bis features, but he
soon cast his eyes down again on the sand
fore the door, and answered, somewhat e.
vasvely:
When did you hear from the valley,
granny?
1T has been several days since coutin-
ued the dame. Little Peter Pike went
By here last Thursday, on his return from
mill he did not get his corn ground, ow-
ing, he said, to the milldam's being wash
ed away. But why do you ask, Jeems
Has any thing unusual occurred there? /
hope my nephew, Job Cotton, and his fam
lily are we'll
The young man heavcd short convul-
sive sort of sigh, but did not reply. He
got mp and placed his gun in an upright
position against the wall he took off his
shot pouch and laid it down upon the floor :
he drew his hat down closer than ever o.
yer his eyes, aud sat down again
Il reckou,' he said, at length, that Job
Cotton and his family arc well; but Job has
been robbed, they say
RoJLed." shrieked the old lady. Rob
| bed! did you say, Jenny OCreal?' and
her wheel aud foot both stopped their mo-
ton. who could have done it 2 at length
she exclaimed. 'Greyton Valley is one of
the most moral, pcacoAblc places in creation.
I've lived here going on thirty five years,
and never heard of murder Or robbery
happening there before
No. said the young man, 'the like
doesn't cfl,n happen
'Who dill it, and where was job p ask
ed the old lady, still half breathless through
excitement 30 tell me all about it,
lie was riding on his gray pony from
llarper's Creek to Greyton Ferry, when it
happened, but it remains yet to be dscov-
cred who did it, His pockets were elsed
by Il highwaynan of about fifteen dolars
not very large sum, but still it was
something for such man as Cotton to lose.
'Ah yes, exclaimed the Old lady, with
his sick wife and eight children to support
Who could have tccu hard hearted enough
to have done it! Is no one suspected,
Jenny"
The young man coughcd short, dry
. cough; he moved with Il restless, excited
motion, but he di not Immediately reply.
AZ lcpgth he said, CHANGING furtiyely into
the OLD woman's face:
Il bclicve there IS youngster who is
looked upon with some suspicion by the
Greyton Valley folks, but he may be inuo-
cent for all thai
'Who is it, Jenny who is it? asked
the old woman eagerly he must be
graccIess scamp to make the best of him
~ gracelcss scamp! repeated tue hun
ter, nervousIy; but yet granny, there may
be extenuating circumstances. The young
lnaG may have been drunk when he did it
SO drunk as to be scarcely conscious Of
what he was about.
'But he had no business to got drunk
said the old woman, tartly. Il have no
patience with those who try to hide or get
excused for me sin by owning anothcr-no
patience in the world M youns nan has
any business to get drunk"
You touch mr., then, granny said the
young man, in low aud sOrrowfu voice.
You know that didt his been my falling
from my childhood. learned to love wine
at my fathers dinner-tabie The appetite
grew upon me until burning thirst now
at times RACES in me like tn. fires of hell
The respectable part Of the world, lont a.
20, cast me of, but you have ever been a
firm and steady friend TO me- When |
. = u
my yitqls, after three days carousal, and
have not had dime in my pocket to salts
fy it with, have come here and yci have
given me white bread and butter from the
dresser yon1cr and precious slices Of meat.
You have fed warmed and sobcrcd me, aud
afterwards bid me depart in peace, granny.
and lead better life but somehow have
not done it--caHDDt do it, Heaven help
a wretch like me aud the young man COW
cred up his face in his hands and sobbcd
like a child.
The old woman, too, was much moved
She arose from her wheel and came and "a
down IN a low chair nelr where the proli-
gal was sitting; she wiped her agrl eyes
repeatedly with the corner of her checked
cotton apron.
u wish you ,roUN do better, Jenny at
last she said, IN voice chokcd with emo
ton. You arc almost like an own son to
me. Many and many is the time, when
your father has sat beside my dear man la
the Lpigeroom and on The afternoon after
poor Mr.. Stephens burial, your father, who
was grand gentleman in those days, did
not hesitate to come i'm here and talk TO
me aud advise me what 70 do, and when he
was going away he gave me twenty dol
lar bill, Jenny. ! shall never forget bis
/ kindness, aud ever since then have been
/ glad to do what could for you all, but its
| little that a poor old body like me can do
/ for any body. But | am sure that / shall
always do my utmost for you
win you T? said the young man, hasti-
| ~ starting again to his feet. 'Wil you do
. 81. Y