The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-06-04

not even ask if he VS. hanged OF NY
thing. It's like takin% a meal /,
ghost, that it is. ~
Z" Y ii might do better than poke ...
old stories about as bad a y8Ing scamp
as ever lived to disgrace an honesr
family" retorted the old cook, who
was sharp in her temper land as tc
ghosts, there are plenty O ghosts every
where, for them as has sense to see
'em, Peter, but I don't think you need
be afeared." "
Meanwhile another Norham trades
man had dropped into the coffee-room,
and Peter, in the intervals Of his at
tendance, chatted with them in cheer
fnl equality, wherein the sole line of
social distinction lay in his remaining
standing while they were seated.
"Real Christmas weather this" said
Mr. Johnston. 4"
But Norham's very dulI," answered
Mr. Lee.
"They're dead-and- alive set of peo-
pie, now-the Norhamites," said Nr.
Johnston, who was one himself, and
would allow nobody else to abuse
them. GO 1t used to be different in my
young days. remember it was quite
gay, what with the oxen roasting to be
given in charity, and the pudding8
boiling for the same, and everybody
that WAS any ways connected with the
church-and everybody seemed to be in
those days-invited to tea in the town
hall. And usedn't there to be fine ca
rol singing through the streets And
rare Christmas sermons he used to
preach, the old rector that was, in my
young days"
All, that was Mr.. Rogerson, put in
Peter, directing his thumb toward the
open door "Fye Just been showing
that gent that bit of an old sketch up
agin the wall. He broke the good old |
gentleman's heart, that young scamp |
did"
"Ah, yes, and did a deal of harm to
NorhtBa every way" pursued Mr..
Johnston "we've never had lively
Christmas since remember the first
after his going Off What could people
do when they knew there was nothing
but misery in the rectory house? The
town kept just as quiet as ever it could,
and it couldn't do less every Christmas
after, during tho rector's days. And so
it got out Of the good old ways"
Poor young Rogerson," said old
Lee. 81 used to think there was
something good in the young fellow,
for all his wildness, and I always hoped
he'd right himself, till he went and did
that wickedness that set man against
him, as well as God"
II don't know about good or not, b
persisted Mr.. Johnston, "but I know
it took years and years before his sis
ter Mary looked up again. Only at {
last, as time began to thicken over the
tender spots O. grief and shame she
kind of took heart. Says she once to j
my dear wife that's dead, Mrs. John l
ston, our poor Dick was. the child of {
many prayers, and I've faith God will {
keep hold of him. And then she took
fancies that he was dead. And [ no. '
ticed she was happier-like after that 6
just as one breathes freer in q house af- i
ter the dearest corpse is buried. As for
poor Tom Rogerson, his brother ruined
him for this life, any way. Maybe he '
needn't but poor Mr.. Tom was awful {
proud and sensitive. Miss Mary, she
told my wife that her brother Tom said ]
he'd never ask people to trust him, be- {
cause he couldn't expect they would, '
after his brothers ways, and he wouldn't S
lay himself open to be half trusted and t
and suspected all the time. v
And SO, he that was SO clever, stayed
poor under-clerk all the rest of hisdays. +
and has left his poor widow just to t
struggle on and get what places she b
san for her boys. Such a pretty, dain- v
y miss, as she used to be, and row Fl
hes wearing an old rusty silk that's I
oeep turned and turned till she's for a
sotten which is it's real right side. I Il
hould think what their uncle did s,
Won't go against my sons, Mr.. John D
ton,' she said only the other day. 7
Bless you, Mrs. Tom, says I, half
he town people are new since then. \
I'm always so afraid he'll come back, a
ays she = I'm sure [ don't wish him I
lot to repent, says she, l always hoped b
10 would--but can't help thinking of W
ny own, and for their sakes, I'd rather 2
came back. THE more pen #
tent he is the mole he'll stay away, d
aa'am, says /. It isn't as if the whole al
tory was above ground still, and he'd W
My got to be forgiven and all would C,
o well, but there's some that's dead
hat died in wrath and bitterness with S
theirs for his sake. Look at poor old cl
Irs. Rogerson-how she turned against N
lr Tom, good, dutitul son as he was, 81
ecause he wouldn't stay by Mr.. Dick s7
trough thick and thin, and defend him Sc
S if he were innocent. Poor, dear old si
ldy, she knows better where she's been "
his many day. But Mr.. Dick had la
etter wait to ask your forgiveness till tn
e can ask hers too You forgive him, OF
la'am, says I and that's enough for Al
on, but I maintain that he'd haEe no sb
ght to come disturbing your mind to ita
ase his own. so
''There was one that would have Sc
cen glad to see him, had he returned Ga
ever SO much shame and misery, th
i'd kindly old Mr.. Lee. q
g Ay, ay, chimed Peter; 81 know ia