The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-20

tic and sheep than you kin count. But
here comes one Of his ranchmen, and will
turn you over to him."
The driver explained the circumstances
ofhfs "fTcight' to the ranelman, who re-
qucstcd the old man TO accompany him to
the house. and the latter patiently com
pied with the request, leading by the hand
u bright little boy.
They soon reached ''the house," low
and struggling collection of buildings, and
were usllered into the presence of its own
er, atall and fine e-looking man, with his
face covered by heavy beard and his eyes
shaded by wide sloucicd hat, who was
seated in raw-hide chair reading a news
paper and smoking long pipe. He list
ened in silence and with apparent indifrer-
enco to the story the ranchman told him.
"What is your namc2" he asked, adj
dressing the old man. -
,"John Byrd, Sir" t~r>yr. '
Where are you from2";
'From Indiapa.' Il, !
"Ah! Any family with Your"
"My daughter, Mrs. Worsham, and her
widow, I suppose"
Her husband is dead, sir, "patiently rel
piled Byrd, although he. resented tho tone
of these inadifies,HSf ;72l5 TIfPYY WY
J'First husband, Tor seeehd9"rd !
"Mri1W Wofsham was her second husband. !,
She had been married. Ito. a drunk
worthless Yagabond whom was compelled
"Quits right. Mr.! Byrd22sexSaacttly@ right.
What became of the vagabond7"1 'ha
| Il don't know."4" ,hIi s.1Z0I COZ
"Died, l suppose. 1t is of no consc-t
qucnce what became of him. Then di-.
1 EDh.x sl11
''!Ycs, Sir STs1pbiated upon divorce
against my daughters wish, and she mar,
ricd Mr. Worsham, well-to-do man. But
DAD luck fastened; upon ,us and never let
go. Mr.. Worsham died insolvent, and one
reverse after another the swept away my little
| property and was forced to come out here
to begin life again. go 1t is hard task, sir,
| for an old man."
81 should say 80. You ought to have,
remained among your friends. What boy
| is thut?"
"SIy grandson" family replied Byrd,
who was weary of this style of question
Ss6n Of the vagaboohha, Or Of worsha;m1iSas5
"Albcrt is the son Of my daughters first
husband.
81 have taken fancy to him. You
want homo, and l will tell you what 1
will do. Give me that boy and will give
you fine ranch, we'll stocked, with every
thing you need to make you comfortable
Is it a bargain9"
''Do you expect me to trade off my
daughters child 2"' Indignantly demanded
| Byrd. 'r., '... y0r,.. .II
81 forgot about her. Of course she has
an interest in him. Suppose you ask her
She ought to be willing to accept conf
| Portable home for life, when she knows that
the boy will be well provided for"
81 will bring her here if you wish"
"No; don't want to see any women
folks. Ask her and bring me word"
IL will ask her." replied the old man;
"but know what her answer will be-"
John Byrd soon returned and informed
general Chance that Mrs. Worsham had re-
fused to accept his offer, declaring that she
would rather die than be parted from her
boy:
| "fhat is all 1 have to say to you. You
may CO." ,. -
John Byrd sadly left the house, and it's
owner signed to the ranchman to remain.
| "Mr. Whips, said he, II wish you
and his family down to Killers ranch,
which is vacant, and settle them there
Supply them with stock, provisions, and
everything they need to make them COM
| Portable, and lot me kLow if money is
needed" .s..
| So John Byrd and lis little family,
greatly to their surprise, were settled and
made more than comfortable.
There was nothing to trouble them but
! the uncertainty of their tenure and fear
| thatanothcr direction might be taken by
| the peculiar disposition of their strange
| bencfactor, who would not allow Mrs
| WOrsham to como near his house, saying
that he "dldn't want to see any women
folks"
He only endured her father, but was
very friendly to the boy, whom lac present
! ed with a fine pony and q saddle. For his
| own part he seemed determined not to show
his face at the Hillcr ranch.
Providence, however, was disposed to
set aside this determination.
AS he was returning one day from dis
! tant stock -farm'his horses sh. led; and threw
him near the Hitler ranth, ,tlragging him
for some distance by the stirfdp. Hc was
| carried into Mr.. Byrd's house, where it was
discovered that his head and face were so
badly cut and bruised that il would bc nee
essary to remove his hair and beard. lyg4
When this operation had, been performed
Mrs. Worsham came into tho room for the
purpose of helping to dress his wounds,
| and fairly shrickcd as she saw him. aMt'
| 'Albcrt WakelyI" she exclaimed els
it really you2"
| ''Yes, Mary, it is I,",quietly replied
| General Chance. s'If you are going to do
anything for me, please do without fuss"
Mary Worsham took care Of him; and
he encouraged hor attendance. {" When he
was stronger he spoke to her more freely.
"Mary, did you really object to divorce
and to your second marriage?"
''Yes, Albert, never loved any man
but the father Of my child, In spite of his
great fault, and, Ibhject to, eVclything that
could injure you. But {you ought not to
blame father. He meant to act for the
best" A
q 81 don't blame him. III Il, WAS for the
best. It made q man Of me, and am, as
/ ought to be, deeply grateful to HIM.
Y iNarv9 that n a fif1a h,Sv az o,lra ~ y si9