Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-02

BORN GOOD.


%'>S'ts.$ ~ NEhs IN SlliMNE1
Continued from Yesterday
"WhO are you?" asked Lyford, CON-
mencing in a clustering tone but, looking
about upon the group. he saw that he was
not regarded in very favorable light,
and slowly edged himself out of the wav.
"And YOU" continued the stranger,
turning sudd My to the meagre man,
''you. Abraham Bennitt. to stand here
spreading lies about the son Of your bene-
factor! Why. but for him, you would
have been as worthless in your life as you
are now in your tongue"
Bennitt had not heard the whole of this.
having turned quickly.
"And you are a LAWYER, l warrant me, -
pursued the speaker. looking at the pale,
hsrd-faced man. Zone OF that kind OF
vermin that in much calamity as this lick
their chops as jackal does when he
snuffs up feast of Offal in the air. You
faiten and grow sleek on rottenness You
live off from the sorrow and distress of
your fellowmen. Gentlemen" he said,
stopping to take breath, for it was nearly
exhausted. "excuse my vehemence.
cannot be in the wrong. There never
was. there could not be, an evil thought
in Abel Harris breast. 1t couldn't live
there. 1t would perish for want of COM
panion. He was born good. Whatever
has happened to him has been by misfort-
une. and not by his fault"
"Perhaps you wouldn't think So" sug-
gested one, "if he had swallowed up your
whole fortune, If you had one, as he has
that of numerous people in this CITY,"
ssWnnId ~ God II had hAn, tIat
he had taken instead of that Of those of
whom you speak. He would have been
welcome to every cent Of it. No, no it
1t is not this place that honors or can honor
man like Abel Hart. He honors Abing-
ford by living in it,"
Trained to contention, antagonism and
opposition, the pale. hard-faced man just
now saw his opportunity to bite back.
The crowd had considerably fallen
away from the stranger, leaving him
standing alone fully exposed to view, and
seeming more wretched and shabby by
contrast with the brilliant surroundings.
He pointed at him with his finger, and
said with derisive laugh:
well, when the honor. goodness and
manlness of Abel Hart are advocated by
such seedy-looking chap as YOU are. it
will have immense weight. Every one
will have TO knock under to them.'
The stranger looked down upon himself,
and burning flush mounted from his chin
to his temples. He felt instantly that the
tables were turned on him that the senti-
ment of the whole community showed it.
self in the sneering laugh that came at
once from the whole group. He was too
full to speak. They made way for him as
he limpingly went toward the door, grasp
ing his little satchel in bis hand. He
heard the scornful laughter following him.
even when he stood once more upon the
sidewalk without.
As he went on through the streets that
were familiar to him only in their general
direction. and with here and there an old
landmark in the way of house, which he
greeted with pleased smile, the chagrin
and modification that he had felt passed
of. and grateful feeling took possession
of him.
Presently he stopped before a great
brown house, and looked up to it as a pill
grim might gaze upon shrine. He
leaned up against the iron fence, almost
hugging the cold metal, bowed his head
and murmured
'hOSe on, my Rose !! 54
You could not tell whether the sup
pressed sobs that accompanied the words
we're notes OF joy or grief.
Soon raising his head. he took in the view
of the broad lawn and the garden beyond.
spread out before him in the light of the
gas-lamps. much as one draws with de-
light into his lungs the pure fresh air of
the morning after a night spent in con-
fined room.
He stood there. filled with flood of
memories that drenched his soul with
bliss. until he was started by clock
striking the hour. He counted the strokes.
Ten.
Frequent passers-bv remarked him. but
he was utterly unconscious of them all
or that they took the far, outer side OF the
walk. suspicious of his appearance. and
murmuring to themselves, "Tramp!r
From where he stood, there was no
light visible In the whole house. 1t twas
all as gloomy and still as sepulchre.
He quietly opened the gate, attentive
that in closing there. should be no click of
the latch. and, walking upon the grass
instead of upon the tagging, went away
back to the rear door.
As he passed the windows of the dining
room, he could see through the closed
shutters and curtain. the CLEAN of bright
light. He could see. too. that the kitchen
was well lit. and noticed the movements
OF some of the persons therein.
He knocked timIdly. No answer COM
ing. he knocked again and louder.
The door was thrown open by wo-
man. who. peering into the darkness and
seeing such wretched object there. ut
tered an ejaculation and prepared to close
1t again.
.:What do you want p she asked.
81 am tired and hungry" was the an
swer. "Please let me come in"
The woman looked uncertain for a mo-
ment.
.What is it. Hannah ?" the voice of a
man cried out from room further with
In, the door to which stood wipe open.
The stranger recognized some of the
tones In the question. and warm feeling
gathered about his heart, spreading to
the extremites OF his body.
"A poor old man, who says he is home
less. tired and hungry" answered Han
nah.
"Let him come iD," said the voice
which the utterance made more manly