The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-04-21

linen uOn lose tlme. ioeo TO the
kettle. I'll boil tho eggs"
Similar behavior from some people
might have given offense, but there was
such quaint, odd way about Jerry that
robbed it of that power. He was so old,
and snapped and snarled rs if really his
suggestion was the result of deep-rooted
meanness, instead of the contrary. Mrs.
Weston did make some demur, but Jerry
shut her up at once.
"I see. She's frightened at your
taking tea with such fascinating young
fellow as 1 am,". he said. "Lcave the
door ajar, then the old lady can take
squint at us now and then, and join the
talk. I'm wild young sprig, 1 con-
fess."
Glare could not refrain from bursting
into n merry peal of laughter. Jerry's
gray eyes twinkied with delight under
his shaggy brows as he looked up at her
Well, the two hustled about, the cob
bier certainly the briskest, until, finally,
they were seated ut very comfortable
tea. During the meal, Mrs. Weston
deemed it right to inform their new
friend of something of their history.
In her husbands lifetime they had
been well-to do. At his death they
yet could have lived comfortably, had
not q Mr.. John Burge suddenly brought
heavy claims on the dead man property.
81 never quite understood what it was
4 only know 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
see 70
GA confounded villain ~ exclaimed
Jerry, cracking his egg with bowl of
spoon, as if it had been Mr.. John Burgess
bald head he had got under it.
"Then all our friends deserted us -
Except one," broke in Clare, with
heightened color, which was not un-
noticed by the cobbler.
"But one as yet," added the widow.
He is n gentleman, Mr.. Crayshaw,
who-who was once great friend of my
daughters. He was in Australia ut the
time of our trouble, and though We
wrote to tell him, we have not heard q
syllable since. You know the world, MIR.
Mr.. Crayshaw!"
81 do, ma'am ~ answered Jerry, en-
phatlcally; "and I know it sight bet
ter than people would try to make it."
"Ah !" cried Glare, gratefully, her
face radiant, as involuntarily she extend
ed her hand, "you think he may be
true2'
"He'd be the greatest villain under
the sun if he were not, my dear % said
the old man, cheerily !; adding to him
self: "Poor child-poor child she,
then, has to learn that lovers vows are
easier broken than shoestrings, and
thought about as little %
After this, still protesting it was cheap
er Tor h!m, as mlser, to supply Mrs.
Weston's fire than burn one of his own,
he frequently 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 was grimac-
ing at a boy through the boots in the
window, when Clare came to pay the
rent.
"Take it away" he said; "letit stand
over"
"Oh, we could not think of that |" be-
gan the girl. "We were going to ask
you if you would not mind portion of
it being left for next
"Take it away !" reiterated Jerry, get
ting into fury; 81 won't touch a farth-
ing L like being creditor-for 1 can
charge interest !"
"This kindness, after all you have
done !" sobbed Glare, her tears falling.
eco away!' roared Jerry; CT amt
going to have q scene here-they'll be
taking me up for assault and battery
next Be OIL, and Ill be up to tea in
five minutes"
"Bless your generous heart, whichn no
assumed roughness can hide!" exclaim-
ed Clare, gratefully, as 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 thingl" he muir
INJURED "she's yet to learn that vows
are broken easier than shoestrings,
and -
He was interrupted by the shop door
opening. Looking up, he found before
him tall, well dressed man, with
bronzed face and thick beard and mus
tache. Jerry started.
pardon my intruding," said the
stranger; "but can you give me the ad-
dress of Mrs. Weston and her daughter
| heard they were living somewhere in
this street 2"
"No!" said Jerry. "What do you
want with 'em9"
"They are friends of mine"
"Swells such as you don't often, I
should think, have friends in this neigh
borhood."
"In the land came from, friend, the
rank is not the guinea stamp. But I'll
seek elsewhere"
"Stay a moment I'll inquire"
Jerry, carefully closing the door be-
hind him, sat down on the stairs and ell
joyed a mute chuckle, fearfully apoplec-
tic in character. On the landing he
repeated it, with much movement of
the legs. Then he entered his lodgers'
parlor.
Dropping into the chair placed ready
fnr him hv tho Rra ruhbipo, h;e Looos