New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-29
GUILTY, OR NOT GUILTY:

AAe speaker WAS d lauy, Tall anu sIgn1
SVith a figure that was shown to great &C
Fantage by simple, flowing black serg
dress, neither too short nor too long, and
clark gray waterproof cloak, which hung il
graceful folds about her. She wore a SINAI
black hat, and black gauze vail throw
V1ack. neat tie Of blue ribbon round he
EhrOat showed that she was not in mourn
eng, and there Was an air of self-dependence
q quiet, placid look, that almost told wha
she was-a district visitor.
The man she addressed was a wagner
who forthwith Jumped down from his peril
Gus scat on the shafts, pulled up his horses
with a jerk, and with such pohteness al
might be expected from him. answered his
interrogation with these words
What dye say?"
"Can you tell me where Mrs. Hardy
lives 2" the lady repeated; and this time she
tapped her foot with her umbrella little
tmpatieptly."
~@'Ardy,6 echoed the man, leaning on his
whip with one hand, aud scratching his
bead with the other, by way of assisting his
memory: "'Ardy; widow woman-iongish
famflyl"
NO" replied Miss Forester, Il know
She is not a widow; she is i'll and has been
sdurt by Farmer Johnson's cow"
"0h her." and the man grinned; "Bill
"Ardy's wife; it must have been a brave
beast as nd NEEDLE wi she; ha, ha, ha Y
and still chucklng, he pointed down the
lane, "She DO live in that there cot, the
red 'un; and fine mischief do go on there,
count" then Teseating himself, he cracked
his whip and went ON his way.
Miss Forester was almost sorry she
asked the question. She had rather re-
ioiced that suffering gave her an excuse for
q first visit; for however much it may be
duty, it is not always agreeable to knock
promiscuousIy at strangers DOORS when
not by any means sure of welcome.
1t was early in November, about four
o'clock in the afternoon, and the shades of
evening were gathering. Nevertheless, it
was pleasant time to be out some rain
had fallen, and the clouds were chasing
each other quickly through the sky, driven
by soft south wind; and she was accom-
panied by large mastiH of the Pyrenean
Slreod.
III did fly very we'll, but | lighted bad"
eEas the graphic account given by Mrs.
Hardy Of the accident when questioned by
her visitor land faint very often as 60
c0ut nowhere, with all these terrifyin' child
rem. Give out, Annie, coming so close to
The lady, and she stranger The dogll
Ghite ye, sure"
mo he won't, Mrs. Hardy" and Miss
eEorrester laid herhand upon the huge head.
II do like to see people as is fond of
dumb critturs, remarked the invalid, in a
querulOus tune; some can't seem to starye
and ill-use EN-, but my husband can. Now
that there cat, and she pointed to thin,
wizened creature that was crouching under |
the clock, with eyes all pupil, staring at the |
dog, "hell turn i'm out bless yet"
Hush, mother" interrupted tall, stout, |
girl, with red hair, who had |
hitherto remained silent; father don't |
stare and ill-use the cat no more than YOU |
do beat and starVe me, when we've got a !
gnind."
II can't give ye what L 'aven't got, and |
I'd as soon ye were out of this earning |
Ye're own bread as ldling here, and soonder."
III don't want to blde at home, rctOrted |
the girl, sulkijy; "and 'ts allus father this.
Sud father tother, when we shouldn't have
H0thin' to eat some days if weren't for
3e."
'fIf We could find place for our Jenny
na'am, | should be glad -" said the woman,
g8king no notice of her daughters words.
SHES just about a good 'un to work, if
3hB'll keep a civil tongue in her head;
where she do get her SARGE from don't
know, nor where she do learn it."
Miss Forester smiled. She promised to |
10 her best, but she thought she could give
/ pretty shrewd guess from whom it was
Inherited; and quite agreed in the mothers
opinion that the girl would be better away.
She had scarcely left the cottage after
paying her visit, when she encountered a
' 7
ieOwling, logged expression OF face, small,
erret-hke eyes, thick lips, and whiskers
md beard all in one, Of coarse reddish
brown. lie was in dirty working dress,
Ind had a black and-white tie, loosely
znotted about thick muscular throat
Mss Forester was half inclined to turn
sack; even the trusty, well-schooled Lion
rave a low growl, and bristled up.
The man stopped, and looking at the dog,
,emarked, IA rum customer, that, to come
cross of dark night"
eyes" replied his mistress timidly, and
he thought crossed her mind, You're an
Their" but she nerved herself to the inter-
lew, aid substituted, What is your
anne ~
@Bill Hardy, if We do want to know was
he reply; and the man stalked off toward
Is home.
His first act on entering the house was,
OF to inquire after his sick wife, who was ,
uddled up in chimney corner with her
sg on q rickety chair by way of sofa,
ut to walk up the crazy staircase to his
wn bedroom, which was low, dilapidated
soking department, with light peeping in
trough sundry creVices where it should }
ct and IN which were three wooden bed '
leads: Raising the mattress upon one Of 4
hose, he drew forth a large and somewhat :
attered net. Mother" lie shouted a
81 can't come up stairs, tell ye," was the d
lSWeE 10 the summons from below; 1.-The L
ain do go right d'roo my leg if l do move y
N, and amt a coming" Il
Upon which a heavy, laundering step de- e
ended the stairs and throwing the net il
own, the man exclaimed, IF that law
ench, Jenny, don't mend they holes afore u
idnight, it will be wus for her. and the
'eech was favored with an oath. ct
Father, take l up" pleaded a little | 81
ping voice, while two fat, dimple armsd | te
asped the mans leg give / d kiss" e.
The father looked down into the little | I'll
lubey, and not oyer-clean face, with its W
nocent blue eyes and rosebud mouth. b,
Id sottened lie lifted the little three pi
'ar old IN his arms, kissed the warm cheek al
ut hid itself in his neck, and the fero hi
5us, hardened look on his face melted pI
way. pc
d loud hooking at the door disturbed Bill
ardy in bis parental demonstrations, and | yC
ls6iy putting down the child, he admitted ! a
shert, thick-set iovial looking man, who ! ia
his own rough way, eonrteously ac
l0wledged the wifes presence; and then W;
conversation Of some duration | BIZ
ok place between the two men: they were / vi
identity making some appointment th
= The moon won't be up afore," said the ] No
w-comer, raising the latch as he spoke fe
I All right" replied Hardy; but stop and | Oh
We bit OF supper, Jem."
Not tonight, thank We; the missus and y;
young 'uns is looking out at home, and LC
took his departure.
Wen have better supper nor this to- WI