Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-01-09
In few minutes bis promise..was fulfill
ed; the lowering brows of the burly farmer
dashed Lucy's hopes.


In few minutes his promise. was fulfill
ed; the lowering brows of the burly farmer
dashed Lucys hopes.
"He could not interfere now, he told her,
"for 1t was in the hands of the police. It
was only the other night that his fagot-stack
was pilfered. He must make an example Of
some one"
Then Lucy eloquently pleaded her fathers
excellent character,-the long illness that
had followed his accident; and uncomplain-
ing endurance of the severity of the winter,
without an appeal for relief.
The only reply evoked was an assurance
that Pearson had not been alone in his suf-
ferings; that many had been as badly of,
and the poor-rates were shamefully heavy.
Farmers had their burdens to bear as well as
the rest besides had not his fagot-stack
been pilfered? and whose property would
be safe if men were allowed to do such things
uncheckedp
Then Lucy produced her portemonndie,
and offered to ps. the value double or treble
of the hurdles, ~ in vain. Some one had
advised him to make an example of the next
lawless vagabond detected in pulling stake
from his hedges or turnip from his field
and Farmer Lawson felt proud of the firm
ness with which he was carrying out his re-
solve.
sim very sorry for you, young woman,
but the law must take its course, and this is
only distressing both of US for no purpose;
SO I'll wish you good day."
Martin Of Martins Holt, who had stayed
to hear the conference, d-humoredIy in
terposed.
"Hang it, man! give way this once.
'Tisn't worth making such q fuss about
And how can you resist the pleadings Of
such pretty girl9 Come, say you'll not
prosecute"
'No, indeed but lie shant say SO, Mr..
Martin !" cried Mrs. Lawson, coming for
ward with fiery face; ssnot for such res.
son as that, anyhow I'm ashamed Of you,
Mr.. Martin, and as for you, hussey-"
But Lucy walked quickly away. Martin,
laughing at his hostess's inyectiyes. followed
her TO the rate and called her hack. hut she
only ouickened her steps, and when sure of
not being seen from the house. wrune her
hands. and sobb,d ont her disappotntment.
Had ahs ussd every argument likely to in
fluence this hard man? All. yes. and he
would not hear her How sbould sbe tell
them this at home. where her return was
hopefully looked for? And Il was for her
and through her that the sin had been COM
mitted. Her poor broken spirited father,
how would he endure the disgrace and con-
finement Of n iail2 Would that she had
never como home. for. God helm her. ahe had
brought trouble In her train!
Mrs. Pearson, during Lucy's absence, had
moved restlessly about the cottage: ma
chanicallv nuttinr things in order ouietinp
the frightened children. and stonpinp ever
and anon TO bend over the despondipp figure
of her husband aud whisper word of en-
couragemeut.
aHere comes Lucy" whispered Johnnie.
who had been watching the window through
his tears.
"Thank God !" the mother devoutly muir
INJURED. lifting the latch with trembling hand.
She had been cherishing but few fears re-
garding her daughters success. Had not
Lucy wcll-filled purse, and would not
money do everything? But the girls de-
spondent attitude told different tale, and
with low moan the oyerwroupht woman
dropped ON the ground. In the confusion
that ensued the prisoner was hurried away,
and Lucy. with the shriekinr children and a
dozen wcll-meaning but useless neighbors,
scarcely missed him. But when the misera-
BILE wife and mother bean to recover con.
sciousness and asked for her husband, Lucy
left her in the care of the only person who
seemed Trustworthy, and stole away to fol-
low the officers and their prisoner.
IT. was some miles to the town where the