The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-04

he came mere 10 90 ROou, 10 SHOW people TIE
road to heaven--there was no church, then
for miles around-and he had money Of his
own MY mother and came with him, and
after she died we two lived on here together
and he taught me all know--it isn't much
But when | was fifteen he came home one day
from the city, where he had gone on business,
and told me that some wicked people had
ruined him, that his good work WAS ended ;
and ne threw. his head back, sitting IL MS
armchair, and gasped once or twice, ana l
people. came and looked at the place, and =, the
Thornleys among them; and was little
moping beggar, knowing not which way 20
turn, and the ThOrnleyB offered TO Keep me
for maid-of- al-work for food and clothing.
There was nothing else for me to 90, and the
neighboTs all said 1t was provldence, but
since then ! have struck for higher wages es
and now ] have day-dreams. When get
even II I'm old as the hills, and then, maybe I
can do something nicer. than to churn and
I cook for my daily bread
And you haye saved something p
] "A hundred dollars already
| Baxter smiled "And when do you expect
to have enough to set out and seek your for
| tune Z"
"Do you think It will take worry long r" she
asked, anxiously. "Shall be too old?'
! II should think not" he returned, still
smiling to himself
This was not ths first walk Baxter and Pol
| ly had taken together, neither was this the
last confidence reposed In each other.
"You two do seem to have an everlasting
"and Polly amt no talker neither; and what's
queer you always come to a full stop when
body catches up 70 you" She had just over
taken them on the highway, as 1t happened
| though usually Miss Hannah's Interruptions
were not owing TO chance. No sooner did
she see them strolling. off together after work
was over than she slipped out the sink room
door with undigntied haste, took a short cut
through the woods, and joined them as Ii she
were returning from q neighbours.
"YOu'd oughter not take to tramping round
the country 50 much with Baxter" she ad-
vised Polly On one occasion; folks will begin
to talk about you"
Talk about me2 What can they say?'
asked Polly.
They'll cay Baxter's making fool Of you.
and they won't be far wrong"
"Why should he wish to make fool OF me?"
persisted Polly, the tears gathering IN her
eyes. "Why should he take the troubled"
at amt no trouble its amusing. You're
an easy victim, reckon
After that Polly made an excuse when Bax
ter asked leave to 60 with her on an errand,
o. begged her to step outside 2n tine twiilghts
ways stint to finish, tho bread to mix, the
milk to set, or some homey duty to detain
her. An Older woman than Polly would have
seen that Miss Hannah herself had set her
heart upon Baxter, followed him about like
his shadow, courted him with sweetmeats,
and flattered him within an inch of his life.
Bakers that's cute about place, it's pity
he wasn't born twins she used to declare.
Though he be O tramp" Thornley, would
add
But is was loves labor lost Her batteries
fell upon unheeding ears, as she was not slow
to discover. BY painful degrees her keen
eyes took In the situation, and her emotions
changed as the case became hopeless, from
love to hatred; she seemed to echo the poets
assertion
ITO love you was pleasant enough,
But, OIL tits delicious to hate your
Neither was Polly's existence made more
agreeable just at this time. Hannah's amuse-
ment was to thwart Baxter In his loye-making,
to send him wild goose chase Of mile or
blocks in the way. But she did not stop here
she suggested to Thornley's slow mind the
possibility OF an elopement, Of duty neglected
'along OF spooning upon Polly"
"Do we know anything about Baxter? Did
he have recommendations" she darkly in
sinuated didn't / caution you against
taking him in2 Ii you lose anything through
him and Polly, don't lay 1t to nay door, that's
ALL
Him and Polly gasped Thornley, "Bax-
Hannah had hit the mark at last. Blessings
brighten as they take their flight. Polly might
have lived at Thornley, Farm for century,
was dearer to him than Hannah, till some
one else should threaten to claim her. After
that Baxter could do nothing to please him; he
lay In walt and watched the lovers as o cat
watches mouse, and worried them as
cruelty.
One evening Miss Hannah entered the room
where Polly was sitting In the twilight
"Plotting mischief, ! reckon" she said.
care you fond of darkness, Polly, cause your
deeds are evil? Strike a light, girl. Ia q roll
OF crisp bank bills in my hand an hour ago
Squire Emery paid his butter bill this after
noon; put 'em In my gown pocket when
Hiram called me to turn the grin stone.and
they're gone Now you needn't tell me
they're gone without hands,"
"Thern has been no pickpocket here, Miss
Hannah"
"Ain't there? When you take folks In out
of the highway, without no recommendation,
how do you know what their habits is? To
be sure, didn't suspect no one of having
stole 'em out of my pocket; there's q hole In
1t; I'd forgot about IT.; and naturally them
bills must have dropped out between here
and the barn; but Hiram and me has hunted
the place over and over and over again, and
it stands to reason they couldn't have tray
eled further without hands"
Mercy" cried Polly. How much was
there 7"
"a whole hundred dollars, miss; and If 1t
amt forthcoming somebody II smart Tor it.
You don't think that L took your money,
Miss Hannah?'
well maybe not; but it's gone-and there's
DaAIeI.
*Bazter"
Yes, indeed What do you or know about
the fellow y
Il know he wouldn't do it."
Hell have to prove it. I'll have him up
before the court, sure as you live"
Polly could hardly keep her anger from
flaming into audacious words; the bare sus
pcion was blow to her. She believed in
Baxter thoroughly; though an angel had
accused him, yet would she have upheld him.
But how often have the innocent suffered!
how often has injustice triumphed over JUS
tice!, To be suspected merely was an ire
parable injury, she thought. Baxter might
lose his good name, his work. might be sent
to prison-every thing might go against him,
and ne had nobody but her for defense. As
1t happened, he had goue down to the village
to get the mail and do some chores, and
while Hannah inveighed and Polly defended,
d small boy knocked at the door to bring the
pleasing news that Mr.. Baxter, the fellow as
works for old Thornley,, give me quarter to
rim LID and let YOU know he wouldn't be to