Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-02-04
THE LAST CUSTOMER.

Perhaps not in all England is there a
prettier little town than Wilton. Since
the days of railway travelling commenced
it has been forgotten, lying as it does far
out Of the route Of any of the lines which
now, like a network, cross and recross
good old England.
But in the days of stage-coaches, when
the "Highfyer" or the "Rapid'' ratified
along it's broad street, the passengers be-
held with delight the neat villas, the clean,
notwithstanding houses, and rosy
checked children that shouted merrily as
the coach went by. There was dark side
to this brightness. The great northern
road led through the, town, and it was con-
sequently the halting- place of beggars and
tramps of all kinds. The lodging-houses
that gave accommodation to these way
farers were situated in dark, dirty alleys,
unseen by the passing traveller, who could
have little suspected, as he gazed on the
vine and jesamin-trellised porches, and the
trim front gardens Of the main street.-the
High street-that behind a scene so fair
lurked SO much foulness and misery.
On Christmas Eve, 1925, John Thurgood
stood at the door of his shop, which was
rarely seen open at so late an hour; but a
number of country people, many from a
far distance, had been making their pur-
chases for the holiday season, and John
had been unusually busy. He had put up
the shutters, and was taking a last look at
the suow, which was whirling in big fakes
down the High street.
"Well, I am thankful that this days
work is done,'' he said to himself, and 60
ing in, closed the door.
He had just turned the key and shot the
bolts when he heard a low, timid tap at the
door.
Now there was not a shopkeeper in Will
ton, who, had he heard that tap at that
time, but would have growled surlily, "Go
along with you, whoever you are. A pretty
time O. night to be coming, annoying
people ~
But John Thurgood had a kindly heart.
Some folks who could not understand OF
appreciate him said he was led more by his
heart than his head. And perhaps he was,
and better it was for the poor and dis.
tressed of Wilton that such was the case
The rector excepted, no man was looked
up to with more respect by the townspeo
pie. Often would many Of his poorer GUS
toners get into his debt; but if he found
that their inability to pay arose neither
from idleness or dissipation, he never
pressed them for his money. Like his Di.
vine Master, whose example he tried tc
follow as closely as frail humanity can, he
went about doing good, and his deeds OF
charity were done in secret. To feed the
hungry, to comfort the afflicted, to smooth
the bed Of death, his purse was as ready as
his prayers. Many of his brother shop
keepers envied his prosperity in business
but they had not a word to say to his dis
credit. The highest accusation they coulo
have brought against him was his over
flowing goodness.
That low, timid rap did not fall SECOND
time on the door, for it was Instant.
opened by John. Before him, with up
turned eyes, in which there was a strange
look of appeal. mingled with terror, stood
decently dressed boy of about eleven
years of age.
"Well, my little lad, what brings you
here at so late an hour?" asked John.
"PIease, sir" whispered the boy, lis
too late to have penny loaf?"
Knocking the snow from off his cap ant
jacket, John led him into the shop.
"Why have you not come sooner, m
boy?' he asked, for he saw something wa
amiss, and he put the question in a some
what legal form.
sMother and I, sir, have just come t
the town; we have been walking in tn
snow all day, and she is very unwell, an
she thinks, sir, if she had something to ga
she would get BETTER"
'sAnd where is your. mother just now?'
'She is in house in Popular Lane;
think the woman told me Popular Lane.
Johns eyes were growing watery. HI
knew the house well. It was one of tn
lowest haunts in Wilton.
, ''There's the loaf, my dear. Hurr
home. I'll not be long in following YOU
The form of the boy disappeared in tn
darkness. John went to the back shop
where hung his great coat, which be fun.