Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-03-18

b. "
still happier than before, and when &
he had finished he went on his way {
home. His poor wife and children
had been anxlously expecting him,
and could not imagine what had de-
layed HIM. She asked what money
he had brought homo with him, and
he told her eighteen coins. The fact I
was his remembrance Of the pleasant
interview he had had with Kordicus
was such that he determined to call
on him again the next evening, and
SO he kept back four coins without
telling his wife what he had done.
The poor woman seemed much disap-
pointed at the small sum her husband
had brought home, but not wishing
TO weary him, she merely sighed and
said nothing.
"The next evening the woodman
again passed by the house where
Kordicus resided, and found him as
before standing at the door.
eel thought I'd see you again, he
said, with jovial expression OIL his |
countenauce. Come in, Pm going
to do with you what l never did
with any customer before. You shall
have another glass for nothing. aud
and the next you'll pay for as you
did last night |
t'The woodman thanked him, and
drank of the contents OF The cup.
Then BY way Of showing his graft
tude to KOrdicus he expcuded the
fore he left the house.
Ssnsn hso hn,nn fhof nuoninn
the woodman's wife inquired the res-
| his usual manner he answered abrupt
ly and Grossly, aud told her it did not
concern her; he was tired.
"'But where have you been work
ing to-day p she asked.
"'That's my affair." he replied.
Don't ask questions. I've got a
headache, and don't want to be teas
ed.' ... .,....
"Finding him in this temper. she
said no more, but from time to time,
/ glanced auxiously at him as if she
suspected there was something he
had not told her.
"The next day the woodman called
again at the dwelling Of Kordicus,
whom, as usual, he found standing at
i the door. ...........-3 g.. Elm,
"'Good evening" he said. glad to
see you again 1 hope you'll pay me
J . visit in this manner every evening"
Il "tBut I'm not going to stop to-
night said the woOdman. glad to
see you all the same continued he,
, Initiating Kordicus in q clumsy of.
, hand manner. .'li
}, "tWhat's put you in such an un-
sociable humor p said Kordicus. g,
, "tWell, I'd have liked q chat with
you, and glass too. but the fact is
I've got no money
"'Ohl don't let that annoy you,
, said Kordicus. Il can't afford to give
you any more without payment. but
, rather than such q good fellow as you
8 are should 60 on his way thirsty you
t shall have adraught and pay for II TO-
: morrow night
r "The woodman willingly accepted
D the offer, which, to say the truth, he
+ had anticipated. After drinking the
contents of the crystal cup he coli
n versed with Kordicus for little time
!. who was so amiable that evening tina
the woodman ventured to hint two
e or three times at the distressed stat.
n Of his wife aud children. Kordicus
a however, avoided the subject will
n singular dexterity, and on bein!
II pressed, at last said. somewhat alb
, ruptly, that he wasn't bothered him
: self with wife aud children, ant
q didn't see the use of them, nor did h.
& want to hear anything about them
n The woodman, fearing he might hav
l. offended Kordicus, changed the con
d versation, and by way of pleasin;
n him, asked to have another draugh
e of the same beverage he had had be
fore, and said he would pay for it tn
?. next evening without fail. Kordicu
5 Immediately smoothed his brow, an
i brought him the liquor, which h
3. drank of, aud after little more cor
70 versation the woodman went hOm
N to his family.
g "The next morning on going to hi
g work he began to reflect on what ha
u taken place the previous evening. FL
,r remembered vividly having promise
TO pay without fail the debt he ha
8, incurred, and how to obtain til
le money that day was a problem to
difficult for bin to solve. lie ws
ID naturally exceedingly honest, and di
x not like breaking his word-still b
knew 10 one who would lend hil
}" the money. At length the idea eros
pt ed his mind that as he had not got
I'd himself the more honorable wa
would be to tell the truth to Kordicu
r. and ask him to give him credit till b
ul wages came due the next week. A
p, though somewhat doubtful as to til
reply he should receive he determine
W to carry out his resolution, and q
ou going home again found Kordicr
standing at his door.
m "'Well, my dear fellow he Gale
If out to him, as soon as he was with
e. earshot, you can't think how please
1t L am to see you. You're an hoae
te fellow. aud one after my own hear
&c I've often tried the experiment befol
- of allowing men who were strange
re to me to drink OH their pledge ,
lis payment next day, but not one in tt
in ever kept hls word. Come along, 8
nk down, and make yourself comfor
if able
y. "Tm sorry 10 say said the WOO
man. that l also am unable to kee
III my promise this evening, and wi
ne shame l ask you to allow my debt
&c, stand over till l receive my wag
ne next week. Ii you will, it would
me great favor
or "' Do you great favor, my de
"a fellow said Kordicus, slspping hi
ell on the back, Nothing will give Il
I'D greater pleasure-Pm almost gratef
as to you for not having paid me Il
money, as now have an opportuni
u, of proving to you the faith I have
al your honor and Integrity. Not only
ne he continued, swlll I give you cred
ed till you receive your wages, but W
ne, also let you have as much more
drink as you like on the same secul
DO ty. Now don't hesitate. If you
ur like glass say SO, and I'll fetch it..
"'Well really said the woodman
lS, his pleasure at the kindness Of KO
al dicus drowning his sense of the de
tai he was incurring, that's very kind
you, and Pll accept 3 glass wi
Dr. pleasure.'
ain "The glass was brought and dram
:, L and another followed, and by way
De showing the great faith Kordic
rs. had III him, he said he would let hi
ou have third if he liked, which t
nd man drank and then went home
his wife and family.
ou "The poor woman saw by t
bleared eyes aud flushed face of b
nd husband that there was somethil
for wrong with him, but he appeared
no Off Il l.,