The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-09-20

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 acknowledges regarded them
but what cared they?
Possessed of all they required, able to
wait on themselves, endowed with good
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 a 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-
| fitness regarding the wants of others
he prepared to set out for his work
again.
"YOu'l about have time to she'll the
peas and get the supper on afore Pm
back" were his parting words to his
helpmeet, and, with no thought beyond
the present, the speaker started.
| The fOlI0WIOo nnartar of hoT1r puou
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 a
few feet of the deep hollow in which
the load he was carrying was to be de-
posted.
But suddenly loud "Whoal" accom-
panied tug at the reins, announced
that something was wrong; but this
failed to rectify 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 scuffling,
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
struggles brought him nearer to the
pits edge. In bewildered dismay, the
old man gazed affrighted around as he
endeavored to pull the animal back.
In vain he shouted and called for
help. No living creature was visible,
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 flew to old
Deborah, who was sitting in her
kitchen calmly Smelling a fine gathering
Of marrow-fats, little guessing the
peril just then happening to her hus-
band within q 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
own name fallen, with familiar dis
tinctness, on her ears.
"What have they got to talk about
me for?" she murmured somewhat
grufly, as, proceeding to the door, she
was going to close it; but her attention
was arrested: 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 wild scream she ran off, and
reached the scene of the accident Just
as, with an awful crash, the horse van
ished over the pits mouth, dragging
along with him old Adam.
The half howl, half shrek, which
broke from his wife's lips, long rang in
the ears of those who heard it.
My Adam my Adam! oh, let me
get to him!" and had it not been for
kind but vigorous arms, the poor Great
ure would have thrown herself into the
pit in her agony.
NAY, stay ye here; he'll be all
right"
But as the soothing words were spoken
| the speakers looked around with bewil-
dered faces, as they saw no possible way
of making good their promise, for, to use
their own expression, "the men" were
all away.
Not man was within call; the cot
tages were peopled by women and chill
dren at this hour of the evening, the
bread-winners being away in the fields.
If he's alive now, he'll be kicked to
death before he can be got out" walled
Deborah, as the horse gave a restless
plunge, and once more she made desper-
ate efforts to reach her husband.
| All unkind behaviors and past dis
agreeableness were forgotten by the poor
woman's neighbors, as they wound their
arms strongly about her, striving by
word and deed to moderate her anguish.
ooh, if the men would only come!"
and spriuging on high railing, Mrs.
Keen-who had already sent her chill
dren scrambling off in all directions in
search of them-loOked wildly towards