Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-02-27

of his breath and clothes fairly sickenec
Webb, who was particularly dainty il
his own habits. .-..--.-..-
But The sight Of the white hair and
palsied hand checked every sign Of i'm
patience: He listened patiently, and
answered kindly.
! 1t grew bitter cold. The wind blew
into the wagon until John shivered in
his warn overcoat. AS for Poger, his
teeth ratified and his limbs shook. He
grew silent and shut his eyes, drawing
the thin rag of Il coat across his breast
John, glancing at him, saw to his horro,
beneath the coat the bare skin.
! "You must be freezing manI' he said
oil am very cold, sir" he muttered
I'm very poor man. ! haven't &
renny in the world"
Ills lips were ashen, hiss pale eyes
fixed on John with 4 strange glare. The
young man began to pull OFT his coat
and then he hesitatea. 81 can never
wear it again." he thought. with shud.
der of disgust, aud | cannot buy an.
other
But the next moment he dragged it of
and wrapped it about the old man, who
soon fell asleep, and grunted and suored
all the rest of the way.
1t WAS late 1T night when Symes
stopped near wretched hut.
Here's you ugcut, Poger," he said.
Clear yourself now
How can you speak to old man 50
rudely:' said John, sternly.
Symes laughed, and Poger, rousine
himself, eyed John keenly. "Here'y
your coat. Much ob]eeged.'
No, said John, hesitating. Il do
not want it again" \ nausea which he
could not conquer overcame him.
81 5 pose you're rich, eh?"
! No; nearly as poor rs yourself.'
"Iouve likely hearn tell Of Matthew
Poger before?''
Never. Drive on. Symes.'
Gooi-ni ght! goodnight" called
Poger, standing in the door of the cabin,
wheeling and looking after them.
Il reckon old Poger hasn't been
treated like Il human bein' before for
twenty years. grumbled Syme<, as he
whipped the mules.
"Why not?"
because he amt human, that's
why?' dozgedly answered the driver.
John had too much to think of to
argue the point. In s. few moments
they reached the low house which served
AS s. hotel for sportsmen in summer. He
wrote to his wife that night, but he said
nothing about the two dollars or the
overcoat. He knew how the dear,
patient little woman would look when
he went about shiyering through the
rest Of the winter. Suppose he did not
get the situation. He had but one dol
lar left.
Il lid what thought was right" he
said, trying to shake Of the gloom that
weighed hln down.
But he was lot yet done with old
Poger. Before daylight be was wakened
t'y the landlord.
There's a miserable old scamp that
lives i'll the pines has sent for you, sir.
He says he's dying, and that nobody
ever was as kind to him As you were to-
day
SIS there nobody else to go?" mutter-
ed John, pulling on dis clothes
"No; he's got neither kith nor kin.
It's the first time in thirty years he's
asked anybody into that vile den of his"
The old man had been taken suddenly
and dangerously i'll from long exposure
and want Of proper food. The hat con-
tanned only filthy pallet on tie floor, on
which he lay, table with three legs
propped against the wall and a broken
chair. Wood was to be had for the
gathering, so that John soon had
blazing FIRE.
He waited on Poger that night and
the next day, hiding his repugnance.
Sometimes the filth seemed more than he
could bear, but be tended and nurseG
the old creature faithfully.
1t noon Poger rallied. /
Now go away, young man, and send
Nugent here-Ben Nugent, the black
smith. Don't you know Ben? Tell him
Poger wants him right away"
John found the blacksmith, burly,
shrewt Legged man, dispatched him and
hurried to find the school committee
Pike and Amory, two men who kept the
village store, grocery and postofice.
They heard his statement, looked at his
recommendations, and handed them
back.
Very sorry, Mr.. Webb. think you
would have suited Us exactly, but we
closed with a young man named Johnson
this morning. You are just an hour too
Late"
This was his reward for his kindness !
to beggar! John Webb walked down
the street with his head bent and teeth !
set, feeling he had paid too dearly for
what he had done. When he thought of
going back to Mary empty handed, the |
tears stood in his eyes.
"But did what was right. anvhow.'
&c said, trying to find comfort in this, !
and setting his cap straight on his head.
: will 60 anyhow, and see how the old +
nan is, and then for home, I shall have
% foot it,"
Nugent met him at the next turn. of
he sandy road. "Poger's dead" he
aid, bluntly. "You were kind to the
I'D man. You must be an honest Chris
ian, and that sorts scarce enough, Mr..
Webb. I'd be glad if you'd come to my
house and take supper, SIR;
"Thank you heartily, but I must 20
lome at once. l applied for the situa-
ion of teacher here, but did not sue
;eed,"
sob, you did, did you?' scanning him
harply. swell, now, there might be
'ther chances here. Suppose you stay
'ver until Tomorrow? Come and take
upper with me. Something may turn |.
Up for you in Seaport" 49, :...:>
John consented. He was ready to
atch at any straw. There was nothing
o look forward to st home but utter
want.
He stayed with the friendly black
NTH that night and the next day. No
nance turned up. In the meantime
ooger was buried.
The old man took such a fancy to
'ou," said Nugent, that it seems as if
'ou ought to 60 to the funeral. He'll
lot have much of foilerin'."
"Ihey won't bury him to-day?"
"Yes: why not2 He's IS dead az he