The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-11-15
ABEL WEBB'S CHOICE.
The Story of a Fathers Devotion

Abel Webb entered his dark and dis
NAL rooms, and, as he reached the door.
was met by his daughter, Polly.
"Why, you're rather late, father,
ain ycu3" inquired the girl, springine
to her feet, and giving old Abel such a
sounding kiss thst it might almost have
been heard on the pavement outside, if
anybody had been curious enough to lis
ten. I've been home long time.'
Wei, Polly, I We been to the saw.
!ngs bank, and afterward to Alderman
bury--Sou know where. I took five
pound ten; and Mr.. Baker, junior,
. spoke 50 kindly that the time slipped
by, and twas seven O'Clock afore knew
where l was Almost"
Heaven bless Mr.. Baker for those
kind words |" responded Polly, giving
her father another hearty kiss as she un-
wound tn, woolen comforter encirclinp
his neck. Then, after pause, she ask
ed: "Does not that make ninety
pounds You have paid2"
Yes. niaety pounds. It's a good
and me, Polly"
ooh, father, don't do much to it.
If you weren't to deprive yourself of
comforts. why, we shouldn't have paid
OIL twenty OF 1t.
"Don't say that, Polly. If it was
not for your earnings, how could I put
my wages into the savings bank, as L do
nearly every month";"
Well, daddy dear, you know it's only
you I've got to live for" said the girl,
archly.
"What's that you say2" replied old
Abel, highly pleased with his daughters
remark, but determined not to be hood
winked. Chow about Tom Smitha
Dye mean to say you don't care for
him ?"
"Hush! Don't speak so loud"
Polly b!ushed, and looked half fright
ened toward that corner of the room
where the big bureau cast its shadow.
"Why, there's nobody can hear"
Yes, father, the children might; and
children sometimes make lot of mis-
chief" observed that little wiseacre,
Polly. Then, With q desperate intcn-
tion of changing the subject, she said {:
"You must have great coat this win
ter, or you are sure to have the rheu-
matics, as You had 'em last year. Oh,
saw beauty in the Horseferry road
to'night-so thick, with nice warm lin
ing inside, and the price only eighteen
shiliings. Secondhand, of course, but
almost as good as new"
"Oh, think can do without it this
year. Lets save the eighteen shillipgs,
and send it to Mr.. Baker, Junior"
"No, shan't allow ANYTHING of the
sort. I'm just as anxious us you are to
pay our debts ; but I'd rather work NV
fingers to the bones than that you should
suffer another year as you did last"
"And 1, too" added strong, manly
voice, which seemed to issue from MIR.
Webbs sleeping place.
Polly gave shrek, then burst into a
ringing laugh that seemed to fill the room
with Joyous harmony, like the sound of
bells upon frosty night and Abel,
turning suddenly in his chair, saw the
burly form OF Tom Smith emerge from
the dnaky corner.
Halo, Tom - shouted Abel. $50
you've been listening. Well, luckily,
you amt heard no secrets. I suppose
you are one of those children that makes
. mischief, as Polly says"
This retaliation upon his daughter
struck Mr.. Webb as such an extraordi-
nary masterpiece of witticism that he
fairly roared with laughter. By-and-
bye Tom Smith roared, too and when
he had had his laugh out, finding that
Abeps attention was still engrosstd by
the wondrous joke, seized the oppor-
tunity to throw his arms round Polly's
waist, at which the damsel, who did not
like being laughed at, told the devoted
lover to a-done. and lot be 80 silly"
MIR. Tom Smith considerably waited
until his old friend had completed his
simple repast, and then explained the
object OF his visit. Polly, who was busy
clearing the supper table, wanted to
leave the room, but her betrothed
wouldn't hear of such thing and by
and.bye that gallant swain exercised his
influence with such marked success that,
all aglow with bushes, she was induced
to take seat upon the footstool be-
tween the two men. of whom it would
be hard to say which loved her best.
"You know, MIR. Webb, Polly and ]
have been courting q long time, niph