, 1878-07-25
Old Dran.

solutc knowledge touching Oid Dram was
that he was odl, oIi and ugly
scedy garments, and lived in s'eiy'
looking cottage ON "A high bluff overlook.
To thonghtlcss b,ys, of the class ready
70 torment anything helpless, from Il
worp.out horse to an orphan kitten, Old
Draft offered especial attraction. They
would hoot and jeer at him on the street.
;ronir, the address OF his tailor; and
mock him in SO many ways that 1t was
plain they had NO fear OF she-OearS before
their eyes.
One day Harry Turher, and several
other urchins alike sporilVely inclined,
hit upon new pan--one, at least, when
tbev hadn't tried hetore-ot having
little fun out of Old DRAFT. 1t was to tie
rope across the path along which he was
accustomed to take his evening walk, and
from convenient hiding, place, watch
him tumble over on his nose.
It wasn't the fault, Of coarse, OF Harry
and his friends that the path ran along the
edge of the bluff, or that Old Dratt, as
he came hobbling on in the dusk, instead
Of going over on his nose, stumbled SIDE
ways, and toprlcd over the bank into
twenty feet of water-at which result the
frightened youngsters took to their heels,
leaving Old Draft to sink or swim on his
own responsibility.
It was lucky thing for Old Draft that
Charley Thorpe chanced to be passing that
way. Charley had more than once inter
fered to protect Old Draft; and he and
Harry Turner, on one occasion, had nearly
come to blows on the subject.
Charley's quick eye took in the situa-
ton at glance. Though only thirteen,
he was strong and active, and besides,
good swimmer. Without waiting to take
off his jacket, he sprang into the water,
and as he rose caught Old Draft by the
collar, managing with great difficulty to
keep his head above the surface till Dick
Souidd, the fisherman, who heard their
struggles, reached them with his boat and
dragged them in.
old Draft thanked Charley warmly, but
didn't offer to reward him for his recent
services.
81 suppose you think the old miser'll
remember you in his will" said Harry
Turner, tauntingly, the first time he and
Harry met.
The laugh that followed nettled Char
ley. - ,
~ care very little for the sneers of
cowards," be answered, with forced calm
ness.
"Cowards who do you call cowardsW
clustered Harry Turner, who was year
older, and half head taller than
Charley.
"All who are mean enough to insult or
injure helpless old man, +" retorted Char
ley, bristling up.
"Do you mean that for me2"
"For you especially"
A smart clap in the face was Harry's
answer to Charley; but the next moment
blow of the latter's fist sent the other
sprawling to the ground. Twice the opera
ton was repeated, and then Harry Turner
skunk away vanquished.
1t was not long till Charley found his
victory productive of bitter fruits. Mr..
Turner, Harry's father, was the chief man
Of the establishment in which Charley
Thorpe was employed. He held lofty no.
tions of the Turner dignity. A blow,
from plebeian hand, Inflicted on scion
Of the house, he looked upon as aimed at
the foundations of society-an otfense not
to be 0 erlooked; and in the absence of
power 10 impose severer punishment, he
procured Charley's dismissal from en-
ployment.
Nor did Mr.. Turner's displeasure end
here. He was Charleys mothers land
lord Mrs. Thorpe was a widow, left
with five children, of whom Charley alone
was old enough to afford her any aid.
When his wages stopped she fell behind
in the rent, and Mr.. Turner gave her no.
tice to quit.
1t was sad night when, after the little
ones were asleep, Charley and his mother
sat up discussing what they should do on
the morrow,fOr then they must find new
abode.
Every proprietor to whom they had
applied demanded security, and they
had none to offer. Had Old Draft been
still alive, Charley for his mother
and the children's sake, induced
by the stories of his barrels of
money, might have been tempted to
ask for small loan; but Old Draft
had died few weeks before, and the
money and effects found on his premises
had barely suficed to bury him. 1t
seemed that after all he was no miser,
but only poor.
"God will help us" said the widow,
when she and Charley had dismissed,
as impracticable, one scheme after an
other.
The door bell rang, and Charley went to
answer it.
"Does Mrs. Thorpe live herel" in
quired the gentleman whom he found on
the steps.
"Yes, SIR"
'Has she son named Charlesl"
"Yes, sir; I'm Charley Thorpe"
"Well, my little man, wish a few
words with you and your mother
Charley led the way and the stranger
entered.