The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-09-06
sThen don't lcse time. See to the
kettle. I'll boil the eggs'

Similar behavior from some people
might have given offense, but there
was such a quaint, odd way aboutPhil
that robbed ii of that power. He was
SO old, aud snapped and snarled as il
really his suggestion was the result of
deep rooted meanness, instead of the
contrary. Mrs. Morton did make
some demur, but Phil shut her up at
once.
Il see. She's frightened at your tax.
ing tea with sucn fascinating young
fellow as am,' he said. Leave the
door ajar, then the old lady can take
squint at us now and then, and join
the talk. I'm wild young sprig, l
confess
Laura could not refrain from burst
ing into merry peal of laughter.
Phil's gray eyes twinkled with delight
under his shaggy brows as he looked
up at her.
Well, the two hustled about, the
cobbler certainly the briskest;until,f fin
ally, they were seated at very COM
Portable table. During the meal, Mrs.
Morton deemed it right to inform
their new friend of something of the ir
history.
In her husbands lifetime, they had
been well-to-do. At death, they yet
could have lived comfortably, had not
Mr.. JesseBancroft suddenly brought
heavy claims on the dead mans prop
erty.
Il meyer quite understood what it
was-I only know he must have been
paid said the widow, dolorously.
But we hadn't some papers we ought
to have had to prove 1t. So he took
from US every penny. and left US as
you now see!'
"a confounded villain Y cried Phil,
cracking his egg with the bowl of a
spoon, as if it had been Mr.. JesseBan-
crOft's bald head he had got under it.
Then all our friends deserted U.S.
Except one! broke in Laura, with
heightened color, which was not unno
ticed by the cobbler. e
But one "a yef,' added the widow.
fHe .is q gentleman, Mr.. Brad shaw, ho
who was once a great friend Of my
daughters. lie was in Australia at
the time of our trouble, aud though
we wrote to tell him, we have not
heard asyllable q since. You know the
world, Mr.. Bradshaw 4
Il do, mx'am I answered Phil, en-
phaticslly; 'and know that it's a sight
better than people would try to make
it, yi
'Ahl' cried Laura. gratefully, her
face radiant, as involuntariiy she ex-
tended her hand; 'you think he may
be true2'
He'd be the greatest villain under
the sun if he were not, my dcar!' said
the old man cheerlly adding to him
self, Poor child-pOOr child she, then.
has to learn that lovers vows are easier
broken than sh0e-strings, and thought
about as littlei'
After this. still protesting it was
cheaper for him, as miser, to supply
Mrs. Morton's fire than burn one OF
his own,he frequently passed his even
ings with them. He also procured
Laura some shoe binding to do. which,
though hard and difficult work, was
something. g.
AT the end Of the week, he was
grimacing at boy through the boots
in the window, when Laura came to
pay the rent. .'
Take it away he said; Iet it stand
over
oh, we could not think of that I be.
gan the girl. We were going to ask
if you would not mind portion of il
being left for next
Take it away Y reiterated Phil, get.
ting into fury II won't touch farth-
ing! like being creditor-for can
charge interest!'
This kindness, after all you have
done = sobbed Laura, her tears falling
Go away = roared Phil; I amt GO
ing to have scene here-they'll be
taking me up for assault and battery
next! Be off, and Eli be up to tea in
five minutes
BLESS your generous heart. which
no assumed roughness can hideP ex
claimed Laura, gratefully, as she hur
ried from the shop.
Sitting down, Phil bent his head or
the counter, aud bright tears tricklet
from his 3es into the boot on his lap
Poor thing-poor thing! he mur.
murcd she's yet to learn that vow.
are broken eosier than shoe strings
aud, -
He was interrupted by the shol
door opening. Locking up. he fount
before him a tall, we,l-dressed man
with bronzed face aud thick beart
4 and moustachc Phil started.
i Pardon my in:ruding,' said th'
stranger; but can you give me the ad
dress Of Mrs. Morton and her daugh
ter: heard they we're living some
where in this steet ?
MOP said Phil. sWbat do yol
want with 'eing, si'1fs;'szi'h,a
. They are friends OF mine
! 'Swells such as you don't often,
| should think, have friends in thi
r neighborhood.'
I sIn the land came from, friend, til
rank is not the dollars stamp. Dr
!, I'll seek elsewhere
: Stay a moment: III inquire
7 'Phil, carefully closing the door b'
hind him, sat down on the stairs an
l. enjoyed mute chuckle. fearful
: apoplectic in character. On the LAM
9 lug he repeated il, with much mov'