The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-09-23

her last candle, and had barely time t.
do so before gentle rap summoned he
to the door. The door being opened,
gentleman, apparently about sixty, ell
tered the apartment, and accepted tn!
widows courteous invitation to be seated
"I hope you will not consider this cal
as an intrusion" he said. 81 have nov
become neighbor of yours. Yesterday
moved into the house yonder on thu
hill-perhaps you will think 1 lay claim
to the privilege of making a neighborly
call at an early day. But to this claim
pclieve 1 may add another, that OF former
acquaintance"
Indeed" said the widow, in tone O.
voice indicating some surprise, while a
the same time she closely scanned the
countenance of her visitor, to see if she
could discover any familiar ineament
there.
"You do not recognize me?"
ri do not"
"Do you remember young mechanic
by the name of Mark Coleman, who was
settled near you when you lived in
B-w
ooh, yes; remember Mark Coleman
very we'll"
"Well, I am Mark Coleman"
"Is it possible! And you have come
to reside in the large house yonder."
ri have. You are surprised, but you
cannot possibly be more so than was
this morning, when asking one Of my
new neighbors who resided here, was
informed that it was Mrs. Ives, the widow
of the late General Ives"
Mr.. Coleman sat for half an hour con-
versing of the past and the present. His
manner was very kind and respectful.
When rising to leave he said:
"Now, Mrs. Ives, have one request to
make you. If should consider it a
duty, and also great privilege, to return
some of the kindnesses of former years,
I beg you will not feel oppressed with the
slightest weight of obligation on that ac-
count, but will regard it as no more than
what is justly due"
AS Mrs. Ives lighted Mr.. Coleman
through the little hall leading to the
outer door, he pointed to a basket, which
unperceived by her he had deposited
there on entering.
Hearing you had an invalid grand
daughter" he said, although it is my
first visit, I have ventured to bring along
some delicacies which may tempt her
appetite"
Mrs. Ives took the basket to the bed
side of Alice, and displaying its contents
said:
"See here! My child, we only asked
for bread, and our Heavenly Father has
given us luxuries which might tempt the
appetite of an epicure. Shall we not
trust him for the future ?"
Since the time that Mrs. Ives and Mr..
Coleman were formerly neighbors, Mrs.
Ives had passed through long season of
bereavement and losses. Death had de-
prived her of her beloved husband, and
not one of the dear circle of her children
remained to her. Losses and misfor-
tunes had also stripped them of their
once handsome property. All that was
now left to her was one grandchild, appa-
rently a confirmed invalid, and the dilap-
idated dwelling which sheltered them.
This had once been mortgaged to her
husband, and now remained in her pos
session, because those who had claims
upon the estate had not thought it worth
looking after.
After the night of Mr.. Coleman's first
visit, the wants of Mrs. Ives and her
granddaughter were abundantly sup
piled by him. Several weeks passed
away, and winter drew near.
ri fear," said Alice to her grand-moth-
er one night, "that you will never get
through the cold weather, in this uncom-
Portable dwelling"
"What! distrusting again, Alice, when
we have been so wonderfully provided
forw
ri know Mr.. Coleman is very kind,
and makes us as comfortable as we can
be made here, but you are aged and in
firm, and never spent winter in such an
abode as this"
Mrs. Ives was about to reply, when
Alice, who was looking out of the win
dow, exclaimed:
"There comes Mrs. More. I wonder
what has happened. She must have
some news to communicate, for nothing
else would bring her here"
Mrs. More did not keep Alice in sus-
pense a great while, for she had not been
seated long when she opened her budget
Of news.
"You know" she said, turning to Mrs.
Ives, "that cottage at the foot of the hill,
beyond Mr.. Coleman's?"
eyes, it has been shut up ever since
we lived here"
"It is Sold"
"Who has bought it?"
"Mr. Coleman has bought it. AS 1
passed the house to-day, 1 saw large
load of goods stand before the door,
enough to furnish the cottage very neat
ly, so suppose it will soon be inhabited.
Every one is curious to know who is 60
ing to live there"
Mrs. Ives smiled as She rcplicd:' eff
the goods have come, no doubt the in
mates will shortly follow, so that every
ones curiosity will probably soon be
gratifed."
The next day was one of those beauti-
full days which often occur in the latter
part of November, and whose charms
are partially expressed by the appella-
ton of 'Indian summer" In the morn
ing, as Alice looked from the window,
she called to her grandmother, saying:
"Mr Coleman's carriage is driving up
to the door, grandmother.
Mr.. Coleman alightcd from the car
riage and entered the house.
EFCome, Alice" said he, "don't you
think you have strength to take short
.;La9 TLi, dnu mau he the last of nllr