Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-03-16
2netifal.
AN ADVENTURE WITH A -RAss.

| BY BELL BREE.
Lawyer Creasey sat in his Office. a,
the beginning of a pleasant afternoon
in October, deeply engaged in examin
ing countless documents, bills, ETC.,
that were scattered profusely over his
desk. He seemed in deep thought as
he scanned first one, then another, and
after few moments consideration,
thus soliloquized -
s''Tis of no use; what remains OF
Clayton's estate, now the bills are paid,
will be hardly enough to dsfray Ar
thurs expenses through college. I
would gladly have saved more for the
son of my old friend, but find the &C.
counts are correct, and all just dues, as
he directed, have been settled. think
Clayton was aware of this before he
died, though he never referred to it d.
reetly; that specializing business did
the mischief. But, after all. Arthur il
better off than I was at his age"
He shaded his brow with his hand as
visions came before him of poor Or
phan boy working hard at college tc
pay bis expenses, ringing the chapel
bell, building fires, ETC., and teaching
through vacations.
III school, he and James Clayton
were warm friends, though widely sep
arated by the laws of society, for James
Clayton was a rich mans son, while
Hugh Creasey was poor and frlendless.
Perhaps the bond of friendship exist
ing between them was because they
were natives of the same town, and
each loved the rocks and rills of their
home. Thus at college they formed an
attachment which existed after each ar
rived to manhood. James married a
gay city belle, and lived quietly in his
native town, where, not many years
after, he laid his wife away in the little
churchyard, when the vlolets were
blooming, and the May flowers waited
their fragrance on the breeze. Then he
devoted himself to his only son, and
bestowed Upon him the affection Of
both father and mother and when.
several years after, his health failed
him, and he learned his days on earth
were numbered, he sent for his early
friend and made him the guardian Of
his child.
Lawyer Creasey was sslfsmade
man, who, through persistent efforts by
his own exertions, was worthy mem
Der of the bar, and, at the time our
story begins, was pleasantly situated in
the city of Rutland, his family consist
ing of a wife and daughter, pretty,
winning maiden with large brown eyes
and waving raven tresses, whs was the
life and Joy of his home.
The afternoon passed away the even.
ing shadows gathered, and he wended
his way homeward as the twilight,
shades were falling. Arriving at hi,
residence, a 6ne Gothic cottage in the
suburbs, he was met on the piazza by
his daughter, who inquired
"Any letters, fathere"
He answered her by slipping into hel
small white hand tive envelopes, one
addressed in large, flowing hand, the
other in 6ne, delicate tracing, saying as
he did So
"Arthur and your old schoolmate are
models of punctuality.'
They passed through the hall into
the little sitting-room, with its bright
tapestry carpet and tempting easy
chairs. The wall was ornamented with
rich oil paintings, and everything looked
cheerful and hone-like. Mariana
brought the dressing-gown and slip
pers, while her mothers pleasant voice
| was heard saying
s'Come, father, hurry The toast and
tea will be cold
Soon they were seated around the
table, with = snowy cloth, partaking
of their evening meal.
"Some of your bread, Annas' said
her father, taking his third biscuit.
.sYou will soon compete with your
mother, which is the best compliment
can give you"
"You are too partial, father. By the
| way, mother, did You see q strange
looking man with faded drab coat and
snsold white straw hat, pass here this
morning Helen Davis said he called
there for something TO eat, and she waa
90 frightened that she gave him the
6nt thing she found ir the closet,
(which proved to be loaf of rich plum
cake. told her it was not very sub.
stantial food for hungry man. while
she replied ii had been in her situation
wouldn't have done any better, fol
he was : desperate looking fellow, With
an evil eye, and scanned the room yesl
closely while she was getting it.
4 hope be has left the neighbor.
/ hood, said her methsr vhc was very