Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-30

as am" he said. "Laave the door ajar
then the old lady can take squint at us
now and then, and join the talk. Pm d
wild young sprig. confess.
Glare could not refrain from bursting
into u merry peal of laughter. Jerry's
gray eyes twinkling with delight under
his shaggy brows lis he looked at her.
Well, the two hustled about, the cobbler
certainly the brskest, until finally they
were seated ut very comfortable tea.
During the meal Mrs. Weston deemed it
right to inform their new friend something
of their history.
In her husbands lifetime they had been
well-to-0o. At his death they yet could
have lived comfortable, had not. a Mr..
John Bulge suddenly brought heavy
claims on the dead mans property.
| II never quite understood What it was
I knew he must have been paid" said the
widow dolorously. ''But we hadn't some
papers we ought to have had to prove it.
So he took from us every penny. and left
us rs you now see.''
"a COMPOUNDED villain!" exclaimed
Jerry, cracking his egg with the bowl of
his spoon, us If it had been Mr.. John
Budge's Raid head he had got under it.
s'Then all our friends deserted us"
Except one," broke in Clare, with
frightened color, which was not unnOticed
by the cobbler.
"But one as yet," added the widow.
"He is gentleman, Mr.. Craysilaw, who
who was once Il great friend Of my daugh-
ter's. He was In Australia at the time OF
our trouble, and although we wrote to tell
him, we have not heard a syllable since.
You know the world. Mr. Crayshaw.
81 do ma 'am," answered Jerry emphati-
calIy;s land know its sight better than
people would try to Make
| "Ah'' cried Glare, gratefully, her face
radiant, us involuntarily she extended her
hand, "you think he may be true?"
He'd be the greatest villain under the
sun if he were not, my dear;'' said the old
man, cheerily; adding to himself, poor
child-poor child! she then has to learn
that lovers vows are easier broken than
shoe strings, and thought about as little. -
After this, still protesting it was cheaper
for him, as miser, to supply Mrs. Weston s
! fire than burn one of his own, he frequent
/ ly passed his evenings with them. He
also procured Clare some shoe binding to
do, which, though hard and difficult work,
was something.
At the end of the week, he sat grima-
cling at boy through the boots in the win
dow, when Glare came to pay the rent.
ssTake it away" he said; 'let it stand
over.''
ooh, we could not think of that" be-
gan the girl. 'sWe were going to ask you
If you would not mind portion Of it be-
ing left for next
'Take it away!" reiterated Jerry, getting
into a fury; II won't touch a farthing! [
like being creditor-for 1 can charge in
terest!;'
'sThis kindness, after all you have done!''
sobbed Clara, her tears falling.
$50 away!" roared Jerry; II amt going
to have scene here-they'n take me up
for assault and battery next. Be off, and
I'Il be up to tea in five minutes"
"Bless your generous heart, which no
assumed roughness can hide!" exclaimed
Clare gratefully, us she hurried from the
shop.
Sitting down, Jerry bent his head on the
counter, and bright tears trickled from his
eyes into the boot on his lap.
Poor thing-poor thing!" he murmured;
she's yet to learn that VOWS are broken
easier than shoe strings and"
He was interrupted by the shop door
opening. Looking up he found before hi m
a tall, well-dressed man, with bronzed
face and thick bead and moustache.
Jerry started.
pardon my intruding," said the
stranger; ''but can you give me the address
of Mrs. Weston and her daughter; heard
they were living somewhere in this
street,"
"No," said Jerry. "What do you want
with 'em?''
''They are friends Of mine.''
s'Swells such as you don't often, should
think. have friends in this neighborhood y
SIN the land I came from. friend, the
rank is not the guinea's stamp. But I'll
seek elsewhere.
''Stay a moment; I'll inquire. y
Jerry carefully closing the door behind
him, sat down OH the stairs and enjoyed
a mute chuckle, fearfully appoplectic in
char acter. On the landing he repeated it
with much movement of the legs. Then
he entered his dodgers parlor.
Dropping into the chair placed for HIM
by the fire, rubbing his knees, his face
beamlEg with smiles, he said: "Does any
one believe in man? 1 don't Does any
one believe in Australian gold diggers? ]
don't! Does any one believe in lovers
keeping their VOWS? LORI bless you,
don't-not syllable!'' Then turning to
the astonished women he proceeded: "Look
here; III give you a riddle. Suppose a
certain Australian should come into this
room, how would Il certain party behave!
Would she laugh? Would she faint?''
"Oh, mother!" cried Glare, starting up
81 know what he means. 1t is Gilbert ~
Flying to the door, almost precipitatine
himself over the balustrade, he shouted
"You Australian, come up!'' You nugget
Of gdelity, come here!''
There was a bang of door, firm
; rapid tread on the stairs, and the bearded
stranger shot past Jerry into the room.
"Clare-my poor, poor Claren' he cried
"Gil5ert!' she calculated, rushing int
his arms.
The cobbler, after another caper dis
creetiy retired to his shop, and let off hi
superhuman excitement by charge at thu
boys in the street.
: Richard Fernside, a rich Australian cat