The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-21
THE RIVALS.


b too. All it was proud day for Abe
n when lie paid his long -hoardcd two hundred
y ana sat i'll his own teanl-a man indcpcn(l-
\ ent Of the world--in its truest sense a rich
\ man.
Abel was in thriving way. lie owned
neat homc-bOastcd of a neat wife-a
pretty one too-and called as beautiful a
girl daughter Us might be found in tho
B whole country.
Nature had been lavish of favors with
Miss Nell. Indeed she had-for what ac-
complishmcnts she could not boast All,
but am wrong here; Nelly was NO boaster.
She was quiet, gentle, thoughtful, merry,
raltlepatcd-that is, she was all these by
turns, and charming in each, and Abel was
dcservcdy proud of his daughter
The first thing after the purcf aso of tho
fine animal was to bring it home. Arriv-
" ing at his own door, wife, child and neigh
bors must come out to look. How bcauti-
ful he was, they all said, smoothing down
its sleek sides; the most knowing ones
making such suggestions us professional
''cutcncss" required.
"4es; | think | needn't be ashamed of
my bargain this time" said Abel, in his
clear, confident voice, "Look wife" he
added, III al undcrtone; while she quickly
whispered, 81 scc'
A dark brown team wagon was briskly
drawn along that me mcnt by high, whit
isll-gray horse, whose porsevcring enid,
MD, nodding," seemed to say, "I'm a sure
horse and safe one; slow, perhaps but
always to be depended on" Forward on
seat sat strong-bodicd man with a
good enough face, saving that al ugly frown
dctractcd somewhat from usually pleasant
expression. Ilo drove rs rapidly Us the
narrow space would admit, spitcfully strik-
ing his horse, but apparently glancing
neither right nor left. 1t might seem as
though some unpleasant occurrence had
thrown veil over the happy scone
10 him it seemed as if all was veled-and
so II was darkcncd and blasted by the
breath of envy.
"What's tho matter now, Tim2 What's
gone wrong tn d"y2 L"o" eomnthina
has, by that black look of yours. What's
the matter with your tca2"
'Thundcr take tho teal" he muttcrcd,
turning uncasily; thunder take the tea and
everything else; ''hcrc's Abe Saunders got
n new horse on purpose to drive nc out |
know it. o, if could only compass that
fellow |"
''Nho, fathcr2" asked hearty voice, as
the door opened and in walked tall young
fellow, will a face as sunny rs the day had
been.
The frown partly vanished as Tim met
that frank, handsome face, for he felt proud
of his boy, who was, he was sure, growing
up an honor to him. For Tim was clerk
in the neighboring city.
Again tho blackness as Tins mind re-
vcrted to his trouble:
''That confoundcd Abe Saunders is push
ing mo out of business as fast as he can"
he sullcnly answered.
''What has hc done now, fathcr2"
J3ut the question was put SO chccrfully
that Tim fell half inclined to visit his wrath
npon his son.
f.Done! what is he always doing2" he
growlcd, ''Making more show, and catch
ing moro fools; lying about me more than
likely. Wasn't my business better than
his five years ago2 Haven't been running
down and hasn't he been climbing up9
Hasn't he bought himself o house, and q
horse, and been painting his wagon3 And
don't his wife go to church every Sunday
with brand new dresses on2"
Three weeks from that Tim had a new
horse alss his wagon was painted fresh, a
bright blue frock replaced his old one, and
Tim made altogether a brave appearance.
But that he pinchcd at homo Wae too ap-
parent. The butcher, whose cart usually
stood every day before Tins house, stopped
now but three times in the week. Fresh
loavcs were seldom ordered from the bakers
1latty, Tins wife, staid at home from
meeting because sho had not dress decent
to appear at church, much less bonnet and
other essential clothing.
The truthsis, Tim by his angry jealousy
Smartng under suppo3ed sense Of injury,
In ,yoo ,,ot olo1u tn ipSri1fincr n A ho1, pnof
his bosom friend, motives altogether stran.
gers to that good mans breast" His hints
obscure and lightly dropped, failed ot thcil
effect; he could not in1ure Abel's business
Another stumbling block was his habit o
tipplng. Customers preferred ono wht
could at all tunes be depended upon; wht
never rceled In his seat; whose checks ant
eyes were neither flushed nor fiery. O
Tim these things could seldom be said; ant
month after month his business decreased
in spite of his now horse and gay wagon.
These things could notbe without thei
esult, and gradually Mrs. Fuller lost he
old time healthful look.
Had her husband cared to look he woul,
have known what her CLASSY oye and sink
ng cheek meant, but he did not. AM
thus it was that one day In a sudden fit o
delirious fover tho poor woman wandere,
forth from her home, she knew not where
Needless Of her steps tho poor woman
tottercd along, but at last binding vertig
seized her, she lost all consciousness an
fell heavily to the ground.
Nelly Saunders sat at side window 0
her fathers house sowing and singing
Every few moments sho would take fror
tho folds of her dress small miniature an
look fondly at the features dclineated there
"Nclly, my child" said her mother
while the bluslling girl thrust back the like
ness just as her mother saw 1t, "Como her
and look over the way. There, what doc
1t mcan2 Somo poor creature either tips
or sick. I"
1T won't harm us to go and see, = n
piled Nelly, her gaze growing sadly intent