The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-03-01

They drove on. Foyer talked inces
sanity of his terrible poverty and his
diseases, pushing closer to John as he
did so. No doubt he was an exceedingly
dirty, disagreeable old man. The smell
of his breath and clothes fairly sickened
Webb, who was particularly dainty in
his own habits.
But the sight of the white hair and
palsied hand checked every sign of i'm
patience. He listened patiently, and
answered kindly.
1t grew bitter cold. The wind blew
into the wagon until John shivered in
his warn overcoat. as for Poger, his
teeth ratified and his limbs shook. He
grew silent and shut his eyes, drawing
the thin rag of coat across his breast.
John, glancing at him, saw to his horror
beneath the coat the bare skin.
"You must be freezing mani" he said.
CT am very cold, sir" he muttered.
Pm very poor man. | haven't a
penny in the world"
His lips were ashen, his pale ewes
fixed on John with strange glare. The
young man began to pull off mis- coat,
and then he hesitated. al can never
wear it again." he thought, with shud-
der of disgust, and | cannot buy an
other"
But the next moment he dragged it of
and wrapped it about the old man, who
soon fell asleep, and grunted and snored
all the rest of the way.
1t was late at night when Symes
stopped near a wretched hut.
:. Here's you dug-out, Poger," he said.
" Clear yourself now!"
How can you speak to old man so
rudely?" said John, sternly.
Symes laughed, and Poger, rousing
himself, eyed John keenly. "Here's
your coat. Much obleeged."
Il" No, said John, hesitating. 81 do
not want it again" A nausea which he
could not conquer overcame him.
1" s pose you're rich, eh?"
" No; nearly as poor as yourself"
You've likely hearn tell of Matthew
Poger before?"
"Never. Drive on, Symes."
" Goodnight! goodnight" called
POger, standing in the door of the cabin,
wheeling and looking after them.
g reckon old Poger hasn't been
treated like a human bein' before for
twenty years." grumbled Symes, as he
whipped the mules.
"Why not?"
Because he amt human, that's
why?" doggedly answered the driver.
John had too much to think of to
argue the point. In a few moments
they reached the low house which served
as hotel for sportsmen in summer. He
wrote to his wife that night, but he said
nothing about the two dollars or the
overcoat. He knew how the dear,
patient little woman would look when
he went about shivering through the
rest of the winter. Suppose he did not
get the situation? He had but one dol
Tar left.
g did what thought was right" he
said, trying to shake off the gloom that
weighed him down.
But he was not yet done with old
Poger. Before daylight he was wakened
by the landlord.
There's a miserable old scamp that
lives in the pines has sent for you, sir.
He says he's dying, and that nobody
ever was as kind to him as you were to-
!" Is there nobody else to go?" mutter-
ed John, pulling on his clothes
ono; he's got neither kith nor kin.
It's the first time in thirty years he's
asked anybody into that vile den of his"
The old man had been taken suddenly
and dangerously i'll from long exposure
and want of proper food. The hat con-
tanned only filthy pallet on the floor, on
which he lay, table with three legs
propped against the wall and 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 repugnance.
the filth seemed more than he
could bear, but he tended and nursed
the old creature faithfully.
At noon Poger rallied.
"Now 60 away, young man, and send
Nugent here-Ben Nugent, the black
smith. Don't you know Ben? Tell him
Poger wants him right away"
John found the blacksmith, burly,
shrewd-eyed man, dispatched him and
hurried to find the school committee
Pike and AmOry, two men who kept the
village store, grocery and postoffice.
They heard his statement, looked at his
recommendations, and handed them
back.
Very sorry, Mr.. Webb. think you
would have suited us exactly, but we
closed with young man named Johnson
this morning. You are just an hour too
late"
This was his reward for his kindness
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 ewes.
But did what was right, anyhow"
he said, trying to find comfort in this,
and setting his cap straight on his head.
g 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. Iou were kind to the
old man. You must be an honest Chris
tian, 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 situa-
ton of teacher here, but did not sue
ceed."
ooh, you did, did you?" scanning him
sharply Well, now, there might be
other chances here. Suppose you stay
over until tomorrow? Come and take
supper with me. Something may turn
7, n for Won in SaanOrt -
John consented. He was ready to
catch Of anv straw There was NOTHING