The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-11-07

AAuo "AOA S0A vO0IS uoN passed, ana the
child of four would have been child no
longer, but a youth taller, doubtless,
than his mother.
No other children came to these peo-
pie, and they were very miserable. The
man seemed crushed-he had neither
ambition nor energy. The women went
about her daily toll in dull, listless
manner. Their hair grew gray, and their
brows wrinkled very early. Friends were
pitiful; but grief does not invite-it
rather repels.
At last they seemed to stand alone in
the world; old acquaintance and relatives
were gone, or had forgotten them. They
made no new ones. Poor, lonely, sad,
they chung to each other, and shared
each others sorrows and trials. There
was no joy to share. Their child would
have been eighteen years oll-soas, if he
ived-when what is called a piece of
good luck happened to them. A faraway
relative died and left them little fortune.
He had not taken much notice of them
during life, but he had given them a
thought on his death bed. They were
comparatively rich. When they knew it
the same thought came to each at once
The woman uttered it first.
Martin" said she, perhaps we can
find our boy after all. When once we
have the money we will advertise him all
over the length and breadth of the land
He may not remember, but the blessed
mark you put upon his foot, that he will
know OF. He will come to us-I feel sure
OF it-at last, Martin, at last
eyes. it may be SO, Agnes" the man
said. ut may be SO; the time has been
long, the days woeful, but we may be
happy after all that has gone. Agnes,
believe it sciN be so''
They kissed each other, and made
ready for the quincy which they must
take to enter upon their inheritance
And they travelled together over the road
with eyes that grew brighter fer this
small spark of hope in their heart
Through all the proceedings that follow
ed, tbs grew end grew; and when, at
last, they found themselves undisputed
owners of pretty house and money
enough to live on in comfort, they began
to feel sure that their boy would yet share
it with them.
The first evening in their new homes
was almost happy.
agnes, we must put this cash away in
in bank Tomorrow" said the husband
counting over a roll of notes. 'It is no,
careful; we have that to do which must
make us economical"
eyes, Martini" said his wife, as she
held the light for him and lie locked the
small, old-fashioned safe. "You see
when the boy comes to US, we will want
to do all we can for him, and home must
be pretty place. We can live on almos,
nothing until he does come"
Afterward, in the dark, their heads
close together On the pillow, the early
couple talked on, dreaming like chill
dren.
Martin" said Agnes, "when he does
come, our uoor boy! perhaps he will be
rough and not we'll hammered; he has no.
had us to teach him; We must be very
leuient."
Eyes, yes" said Martin; "but the bow
will improve. He will improve. Young
as he is, he can go to college yet"
"Away from us'' said the mother.
"No, no, he shall come home every
day." said the father. "Will he be tall,
l wondera We are usually tall, but your
people are shorter"
Something may have happened to
hurt his looks" but we would only love
him better for it if it 80. However he
comes, we will be so good, SO good to
him. He will come, will he not, Martin
he could not be dead, after alll"
mo, no, feel sure that he will come.
I've known all the while he was not
dead" said Martin. I'll advertise all
over the United States-all over Europe.
If that fails, even in India, in some way.
You see, he may have been carried to
some foreign country. Men who know
all languages that are spoken shall see
that my advertisement is put into each
one. Yes, we shall have him back"
"Hark," said Agnes; "what is that2.
They listened. A low, grating sound
at the door below, regular and carefully
subdued-a click-a crack.
"Some one is trying to break in" said
Martin.
Agnes hid her face in the pillows
They were alone in a lonely house on a
lonely road. They had several thousand
dollars in their possession. Martin was
not a powerful man and though be had a
pistol, there might be two or three a. aims,
one, and then there was little hope for
MIN.
He arose and took his weapon Il his
hands. and felt about for matches And
Agnes heard creaking of the flooring
and the sound of mufiled footsteps, and
also sprang TO the floor.
"They are at the safe below cried
Martin. Agnes, the money-the money
for our boy. On! if my life is lost for its
sake cannot lose that. cannot-I can
not!"
Martin! Martin. stay-do not 60.
WHAT can you do, one man alonel'
screamed Agnes.
But he was gone. She was alone In
the darkness. 1t was all over in mo
ment. There were shots, oaths- a fall
silence. She c-ept down stairs, tremb-
ling so that she could scarcely stand
Leaning against the safe was her husband,
blood upon his sleeve; on the door lay 3
man IN Grape mask. stiffening IN death
Martin !" sobbed the roman, Martin.
II have killed him. cried the man !;
Fasten the door, put uo the great bar !:
Had | not forgotten that, they could not
have entered. Oh, it is horrible, but /