The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-07-04
Old Draft.

still others, Of more romantic turn, voted
him hermit; but the sum total of alb
solute knowledge touching Old Draft was
that he WAS odd, old and ugly--~ote
seedy garments, and lived in II stedy-
looking cottage on high bluff overlook
ing the river.
To thoughtless Buys, of the class ready
to torment anything helpless, from
WORKOUT horse to an orphan kitten, Old
Draft offered especial attraction. They
would boot and jeer at him on the street;
inquire the address of his tailor; and
mock him in SO many ways that 1t was
plain thew had no fear of she-be before
their eyes.
One day Harry Trrner, and several
other urchins alike sportively inclined,
hit upon new plan--one, at least, which
they hadn't tried hefore-of having a
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.
1t wasn't the fault, of coSrse, of Harry
and his friends that the path ran along the
edge of the bluff, or that Old Draft, as
he came hobbling on in the dusk, instead
of going over on his nose, stumbled side
ways, and toppled 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.
1t was lucky thing for Old Draft that
Charley Thorpe CHANGED 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 aud active, and besides, a
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
Squidd, 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.
II 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
81 care very little for the sneers of
towards" be answered, with forced ca m :
ness.
"Cowards who do you call cowardsr
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 mel!
''For you especially"
A smart slap in the face was Harry's
answer to Charley; but the next moment
blow of the latter's fist sent the other
sprawlng 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. blow,
from plebeian hand, inflicted on a scion
of the house, he looked upon as aimed at
the foundations of society-an otfense not
to be rrlooked; and in the absence of
power 20 impose severer punishment, he
procured Charley's dismissal from en-
ployment.
Nor did Mr.. Turner'S displeasure end
here. He was Charley's 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 a 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 a small loan; but Old Draft
had died few weeks before, and the
money and effects found on his premises
had barely sufficed to bury him. 1t
seemed that after all he wac no miser,
but only poor.
"God will help u.s." said the widow,
when she and Charley had dismissed,
as impracticable, one scheme after an
other.
The door bell rang, and Charley went to