The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-08-17

was here. We couldn't provo Il ag'i In
him, and / can't say for sartin that he
stoleit; but there's some bad blood
about him. He is some way related to
Joe Wilson, who shot John Gibson. l
don't know how far Of, or how near ;
md his mother was q French, and
them Trenches arc pretty poor trash.
Simon, my son, owns the place, not i.
Aaron worked for him, not me-
Mr.. Roman, how do you do? Glad
10 see you" said Simon Pinkham, Jr.,
coming up and shaking that gentleman
cordially by the hand. Haven't seen
you since we were iurymen together at
Wellington, three years ago."
III am happy to meet you" said Mr..
Roman. "The court tried some pretty
tough cases that winter"
After q little further conversation,
Mr.. Roman took his departure. The
result Of this chance interview with the
two Pinkhams was q determination in
Mr.. Romans mind not TO employ Aaron
Dyke. That same evening q letter,
bearing the boys address was left in
the post-office, and in an hour after 1t
was placed in his hands. With
flushed face he tore it open and read:
AARON DYKE ~ have concluded not
to receive you into my store. Truly
yours, A. ROMAN,
II was as he had feared. His enc
mics had seen Mr.. Roman, and that
short, almost rude, dismissal OF his
hopes was the last effect Of their preiu-
Crushing the letter in his hand, he
walked away alone into the night
Three months passed. 1t was the
fourteenth birthday Of Alice Roman, o
pretty maiden, without care, and
bright and happy as the singing birds:
II was also the sixteenth birthday OF
Aaron Dyke.
Alice had gone out for ramble
alone, and wandered q long distance
from home. Coming 10 the edge Of a
small glen, she suddenly met 9 little
withered old woman in faded dress
and red hood. Her eyes had an un-
easy, glittering look, and her features
were sharp and hawk-like.
"Good.morning, young lady" said
she, briskly.
Alice was little startled, but she re-
turned the queer old woman's greeting,
and added that u was "a very fine
day w.. ..s ,.,,,, ~, !. ,,..,, e,,o.,oo,,,n.
young lass. What's your nameT
"Alice Roman, na'am," replied the
"Ronan " repeated the old woman
fercely, ~ know that name, and 1 hate
I'll So you're Alexander Romans
daughter I thought solo And with
one hand she seized Alice by the arm,
and, planting herself in front Of her,
shook clenched fist in her face.
alexander onanl-and people call
hin, good mani. Didn't he help snnd
my James TO prison and to death2 May
every curse TINT the Lord can send
light upon him !" =.
"Let me 90, o, please let me go !"
pleaded Alice loudly, shrinking back in
terror, and beginning TO cry.
"Martha, let that girl alone |" called
out o strong voice in the distance, and
in a moment Aaron Dyke appeared,
hurrying TO the spot.
"Don't be frightened, miss, she wont
hurt you, said he TO Alice. Martha,
what do you mean by soaring her so2
Don't you see she's as white Us o sheetp
It's shame for You to act sol She's
done you no harm I"
"But her father has, and she's his
own child,' answered the woman, still
keeping her eyes fixed sayagely upon
ashe't not to blame for that. I say
let 10 Of her You shall !" said Aaron,
determinedly. "why, Martha, ! never
saw you act SO savage. You are always
so kind and good; now let her g"
half coaxing and half commanding. AT
that the strange old woman released
Alice, and went off scowling.
40, how frightened ] was r. exclaim.
ed Alice, the minute she was out OF
sight. aI did not know but she meant
to kill me.p
Aaron smiled.
"I can't think what should have
thrown her in such q frenzy. She is
usually so mild and kind" said he.
"Who is she, and where does she
live 2" inquired Alice.
aShe lives in that little brown house
by the bridge. Her name Is Martha
Cann." rs
rs she crasypp sH
"No, not exactly crazy, / think, yet
,,t.a ss ,,a,,, atrat,s,a uatnaittnau aatv
her once ay into a passion with Mr..
Pinkham when / lived there. She
seems to owe him some grudge. But
she Is very good to me. I help her
sometimes whom I can get no other
work, and she often gives me food and
shelter. Indeed, she is the best friend
I've got" rge
"You must be pretty poorly supplied
with friends, II she Is your BEST
laughed Alice. lis
"That is too true, said Aaron, sor-
aDssr me-" exclaimed Alice, chow
shall ] ever get homep Tyegot to go
right by where that old witch lives !"
"You can go round by the mill, but
it's little further, md partly through
woods. II II would make you feel any
safer, I'll 20 with you"
40, thank you'll viii you 2 You
are so kind |"
The road by the mill was cool and
pleasant one. Aaron and Alice walked
side by side for several minutes in si.
lence. Then Aaron said:
uYour father promised me that /
should have d situation. Why did he
refuse to employ met" questioned
Aaron, resolutely. ,-g...i
"Why-you see-you see-father
thnnrht he Monldn,t.M p answered Alice.