The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-05-07


on the floor, on which he lay, a 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 repug-
nance. Sometimes the filth seemed
more than he could bear, but he tend
ed and nursed the old creature faith
fully.
"God made him and Christ died for
him." he SAID, Sand who am / to des-
pise him ?"
At noon Poger rallied.
Nov, so away, young man, and
send Nugent here-Ben Nugent, the
blacksmith. Don't you know Ben !?
Tell him Poger wants him right
away"
John found the blacksmith, a burly
shrewd-eyed man, despatched him,
and hurried to find the school COM
mittee, Pike and Amory, two men
who kept the village store, grocery
and post-office. They heard his sto-
ry, looked at his recommendations,
and handed them back.
Every sorry, Mr.. Webb, I think
you would have suited us exactly but
we have closed with young man
named johnson this morning You
are Just an hour too late"
This was his reward tor his kind
ness to a 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, any
how" he said, trying to find comfort
in this, and setting his cap straight
on his head 81 will go anyhow, and
see how the old man is, and then for
home. shall have to foot it.
Nugent met him at the next turn
of the sandy road. "Poger's Dead"
he said bluntly. "You were very
kind to the old man You must be
an honest christian, 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 l must
go home at once. applied for the
situation 81 teacher here. but did
not cDRHfe ss4 - c,u .-nr4,z
him sharply. z" Well, now, there
might be other chances here. Sup
pose you stay over until tomorrow ?
Come and take supper with me.
Something may turn up for you in
Seaport"
John consented. He was ready to
catch at any straw. There was moth
ing to look forward to at home but
utter want.
He stayed with the friendly black
smith that night and the next day.
No chance turned up. In the mean
time Poger was buried.
1.-The old man took such a fancy
to you," said Nugent, "that it seems
as eff you ought to go to the funeral.
He'll not have much of follerin'."
"Thev won't bury him to-day j"
eyes: why not? He's as dead
as he can be. and there's no friends
to mourn over him."
Late that afternoon, therefore. poor
old Poger was laid in a pauper's
grave at the expence of the village.
Halt dozen men, among whom were
Pike and Amory, storekeepers, post
masters and school committee, walked
after the rude pine coffin.
When they had left the graveyard
and reached the road, Ben. Nugent
call halt.
Gentlemen, old Mathew Poger
sent for me the day he died knowin'
1 had consid'ab legal knowledge,
and I drew up his will. 1 put it in
the hands of Pike and Amory."
EYES," said Pike, drawing out a
greasy slip of paper, Poger made a
will, and lett his table, bed and al
other property which his hut might
contain, to Mr.. Webb here, who had
paid for his fare, and gave him his
overcoat, and nursed him faithfully.
He says, If itshad not been for him,
might have died in the woods l
am afraid, Mr. Webb, the legacy will
not help you materially"
John smiled remembering the filthy
bed and table. 1t was kindly
meant, at least" he said. and took
leave of his new friends; but Nugent
did not leave him.
Suppose we look into your leg