American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-06-29
JOHN RATCHET'S FORTUNE.
BY RUTH CHESTERFIELD.

1t was cold November evening. The
clouds which had been all day black
and threatening were now beginning to
send their snowfakes through the air,
and John Ratchet was hurrying home
to his supper at a headlong pace. John
worked in Mr.. Armstrong; great iron
foundry-at low wages, it is true, but,
as John said, ga little is better than
nothing"
There had been a strike among the
foundry hands, but John took no part
in it; he kept steadily on at his work,
and tried to persuade others to do the
same.
"Times are hard" he said, "but
what's the use of making them worseP'
And that day when the strikers came in
a body, led by Hans Schneider, and at
tempted to stop the works, John said,
" There'n be bloodshed first"
And his former comrades, knowing
leying, concluded to depart, but threat
ened to return another day with arms
in their hands.
"Very WE'LL" said John, "we'l be
ready for you" They never came,
however.
But, as 1 was saying, John was hurry
ing along home al the top of his speed,
looking neither to the right nor the left,
so that he would not have seen the old
man leaning against lamp-post if he
had not first run plump against him
and nearly knocked him over.
Halloo!-beg pardon! All right
now, grandfatheri'' he exclaimed, as
with one strong arm he restored the old
man to his center of gravity.
"My stars! thought you'd finished
the lamp-post.
81 came pretty near it, that's fact, :"
said John. "But seems to me you
shouldn't be out such a night as this;
your folks ought to take better care of
you"
81 haven't any folks" said the man.
swell, you'd better be at home, any
way"
"That's easy said; but haven't any
home either"
Where are you bound then, grand
father? If your lodgings are near by I'll
help you there, for you appear to be
about used up"
$50 am; but haven't q place to
lay my head unless you take pity on
me-"
I'm bot d OF
wasn't just the most desirable guest, but
he was evidently old and feeble, and
Johns kind heart was touched; so he
said, Well, come along with me. I'll
give you nights lodging, and to-mor-
row III see Whist can be DONE"
The old man needed no second invita-
ton, and in a few minutes the two reach
ed Johns house. No sooner had he
opened the door than five children and a
dog rushed to greet him, while his wife,
an easy, roly-poly little woman, exclaim-
ed, "Why, John, what makes you SO
late? Supper's been ready to go on the
table these fifteen minutes; the mullins
won't be fit to eat.''
"I'll risk 'em," said John, laughing
" See here, Debby, I've brought some
company home to supper. found this
old gentleman out in the storm, with no
better place to bring up at than lamp
post, SO took him in tow, and here he
is"
"He's welcome, I'm sure," said Deb
by "Why, his teeth chatter with the
cold-or would if he had any, poor
man-and not bit of an overcoat. No
place to go to, did you sayP Why, he
would have froze to death before morn
ing"
"Aye, and starved, too" said the
man, looking longingly towards the ia
BILE.
"To be sure! How thoughtless of
me to stand here jabbering when dare
say you didn't have any dinner TO speak
Of"
"I've had nothing to eat for two days,
ma'am ="
Mercy on us! And to think such
things should happen in a Christian
land, joint Isn't it DREADFUL Sit
right up to the table, Mr.-what did you
say his name was, Johnp"
"My names Dill-Joshua Dill,