Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-09-17

ed as he uuttered:
"What is it to us if they do want new
laid eggs7 Let them keep fowls of their
own and they'll get some.''
So the communication which he had
overheard Mrs. Higgins make to a friend
concerning the requirements of her sick
| family was blotted from his mind, as he
convinced himself that it was not needed
to bother himself with other peoples
troubles.
Nevertheless, he repeated what he had
overheard to his wife, and as woman's
influence in whatever rank of life is pow
erful, Mrs. Rawley's reply, had it been
in favor of q charitable action, might
have done much toward its accomplish
ment, instead of which her verdict, "let
them get eggs for themselves if they
want them," strengthened her husband
in his opinion that the matter was no
concern of theirs.
So, while others with far scantier
means deprived themselves Of even lit
tie necessaries in order to relieve the
pressing wants of Mrs. Higgins house
hold, this couple, who, in comparison,
could have given of their abundance,
shut their eyes and ears to their neigh
bors' necessities, though more than one
of the invalids might have been making
rapid progress towards convalescence,
but for lack of proper nourishment.
| The Rawleys were not in ignorance as
to the feeling of disfavor with which
their -cottagers regarded them
but what cared they?
Possessed of all they required, able to
health, they solicited favors of no one,
and, with blinded eyes and well-nigh
unthankful hearts, they lived for them.
selves.
One afternoon Adam Rawley had just
partaken of very comfortable tea,
which his wife had prepared for him.
Poor Mrs. Higgins pale and anxious
face, which he caught sight of as she
returned from her scanty marketing,
had by no means disturbed his enjoy
ment of it, and, with the same unmind-
fulness regarding the wants of others
he prepared to set out for his work
again.
"You'l about have time to shell the
peas and get the supper on afore I'm
back" were his parting words to his
helpmeet, and, with no thought beyond
the present, the speaker started.
The following quarter of an hour was
passed in fetching the horse and cart
from Farmer Kirby's. Then Adam
filled his cart with the collection of
rubbish, and, leading old Derry by the
bride, proceeded leisurely in the direc-
ton of the chalk-pits.
Steadily and quietly the willing ami
NAL plodded on, past the lime cottages,
down the curve of the road, to within
few feet of the deep holDw in which
the load he was carrying was to be de-
posted.
But suddenly loud "Whoa!" accom-
panied tug at the reins, announced
that something was wrong; but this
failed to rectity matters, for the horse,
suddenly checked at the moment of
stepping, was unable to recover his
footing, and, after one Or two Intellectual
attempts, his knees doubled under him
and down he went.
Then began struggling and scuff1ing,
as Adam exerted all his strength to get
Derry to his feet; but the ground, which
was composed of loose sand, was unfa-
vorable for the purpose, and the horses
pits edge. In bewildered dismay, the
old man gazed afrighted around as he
endeavored to pull the animal back.
In vain he shouted and called for
help. No living creature was visible,
and no sound broke the stiffness as his
agonized tones died away without re-
spouse.
"She'n be over as sure as fate-and
drag me in" he gasped frantically, feel
ing his strength failing with each
plunge of the horse. While large beads
of perspiration stood on his intensely
puckered face, his thoughts few to old
Deborah, who was sitting in her
kitchen calmly Smelling fine gathering
of marrow-fats, little guessing the
peril just then happening to her hus-
band within a short distance from her
dwelling.
Having finished, she rose from her
seat as some one hastily passed her open
door, and in another moment, she heard
Mrs. Higgins eldest girl explaining
something to her mother.
The tones were hurried and the
sounds confused; and she might have
paid little heed to them had not her
CVh hoAAS AOAAOAA3 WALL AoA1AAdA O4o-
tinctness, on her ears.
"What have they got to talk about
me for?" she murmured somewhat
gruAy, as, proceeding to the door, she
was going to close it; but her attention
was aresteds by what appeared to be
the outpouring Of all her neighbors, as
though moved by one mind they
rushed in the direction of the chalk-pit.
Mrs. Higgins alone stood stationary,
and her countenance paled when she
saw the look of fear that overspread
old Deborah's face as she inquired:
"What's the matter-what's they all
gone down there for?"
ooh, Mrs. Rawley, don't be fright
ened; the horse has fallen down and
your husband cannot get him up again
and We"
Her listener stayed to hear no more.
With a wild scream she ran of, and
reached the scene Of the accident just
oc with on owf111 oroub tbo havoc 10,