The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-11-14
8atsf<ilsaW.
THE USES OF DUFF.

Everybody IN the town OF Warren
shook their heads when you talked of the
Seafords.
Warren was little village on the side
of Pennsylvania mountain, peopled with
hardest, thriftiest, sharpest-temperedf folks
that ever drew their living from that I'M
willing limestone soil. The villagers DIS
puted ami quarrelled about everything
but the Seafords. There was but ore
opinion Of them.
1.-The Seafords never would get on.
They were Woodworking, clever, pi-
Gus folks enough; but they would never
get on"
To ''get on was the end of life in
Warren.
The truth was. that the Seafords spent
their spare money land much that they
could not spare) in helping every body
that needed help. The house was open
to all their poor relations: half a dozen
needy families came regularly for their
supply of milk and vegetables; and even
the stables were hospital for many of
the blind cats and lame dogs Of the neigh
borhood; for old Isaac Seaford had
taught mis- boys his own theory and prac-
tice.
Sometimes, even his hospitable soul felt
that they carried both to an extreme,
as, for instance, when Andrew. the young
est brought home Duff, deaf old negro,
who had followed the business Of town
pauper for years, and had not found it
profitable.
What can we do with this poor crea-
ture. Andy?" cried his father, who was
smoking pipe with Squire Morrow, on
the porch, as Andy presented him tri-
umphantly.
Feed him, sir. Duff has been every
body's business long enough; now I'll
make HIM mine. Nigh starved. Duff,
eh?" clapping the old man on the back,
and shouting in his ear.
IVA, va, Mass Andy" chuckled Duff
''I'll make him bed in the barn, or
garrett, or somewhere, sir, and it will on
ly cost another potato in the pot said
Andy. cheerfully.
1.-The pots not too full, now" muttcred
his father. But he that giyeth to the
poor lendeth to the Lord
''Oh, that's your idea of finance, eh?"
said the Squire, with a grin. Now, !
put my money in bank stock. 1t yields.
at least, six per cent: doubt if your
divident comes in as regular.
He shuffled off presently, to report the
last symptoms of idiocy in the Seafords,
who were expected to get on" worse
than ever, after that.
However, a blessing seemed TO come
upon the hospitablc roof. with the poor,
the blind, and orphans, that it sheltered.
The SeafOrds were never able to dress
fashionably; they did not buy new furni-
ture when the rage for decoration fell up
on the village. But there was always
enough to eat, and cheerfulness IN the
ell
out. one by one, into the world, to seek
their fortune. friendly hand seemed to
lead them TO pleasant places
The Warren Bank. in the meanwhile.
had broken, and Squire Morrow had lost
all his savings, and was more discomfort
cd and soured than ever.
Poor Duff proved dead weight on the
Seaford household. He was hearty.
strong old fellow. with no ailment but
deafness. He did nothing but eat, sleep
and lie in the sun
Mrs. Seaford. by a series of eloquent
dumb signs, would set before him the ne
oessity OF bringing up chips or pail of
water; but Duff would point pathetically
TO hIs ears. and stretch himself to deze on
the cellar door, with the face of IA mar
tyr.
That bread thrown on the waters is
toierably mouldy crust, Andy" his father
used to say jokingly.
IF you turn him off he'll starve.' Andy
would answer. duff is grateful old
soul. He would do anything for me-
Yes, I've seen him put your worms on
the hook after YOU had dug for them
In August, his father sent Andy up by
the train to Melville on business.
Entering the car, Andy sat down by a
man wrapped in cloak, who held his
face down on the back of the seat before
him. Andy perceived that an unpleasant
odor. mixed with that of whisky, came
from the MAN. He was either drunk. or
asleep. for he soon droppedt to one side and
leaned against HIM heavily, and Andy,
with his habitual good nature, could not
bear to push him off.
The train at last rolled up to the station
at Millville. and stopped. The passen-
gers burned out. The man made fee
bile effort TO rise. and sank back Andy
gave him his arm and helped him out
You're very kind" he said. Now.
most folks shy clear Of me" turning a
tiercely red face on the lad.
Andy started back.
What is it? What ails youy"'
Smallpox. But
But Andy was off like an arrow. He
would have walked up to lannon's
mouth with less terror than have touched
that man.
He remained in Millville for about ten
days. At the end of that time he began
~ sicken.
''You are taking a heavy cold. Andy
Queer freak this time of the year peo-
pie said. meeting him on the street But
he knew il was no cold
1T is time was going" thought poor
Andy. IN not give this plague to any
body else, please God"
But where should he go? In Millville
he could not stay. if he would He would
have been turned on to the street out of
any hotel. There was no hospital.
He hired horse. ''In not 60 in the
tram to scatter il, nor can stop in any
house between here and home.
Homer
Why, there was his father and mother,
and the boys, and Nelly was At home now,