The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-10-09
Adam Rawley, making him for moment

| tiOuoiCu od' tt0 VI
spark, which, had he allowed it to kindle,
would have filled his rugged countenance
with sunshine, was quenchcd as he
muttered:
What is it TO us if they do want new
laid eggs 4? Let them keep fowls of their
own and they'll get some
SO the communication which lie 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 people $
troubles.
Nevertheless, he repeated what he had
overheard to his wife, and as a woman's
influence in whatever rank of life, is
powerful, Mrs. Rawley's reply, had it
been in favor of charitable action,
| might have done much toward its accom-
| plishment, instead of which her verdict,
'Let them get eggs for themselves if
they want them" strengthened her hus-
band in his opinion that the matter was
no concern Of theirs.
So, while others with far scantier
means deprived themselves of even little
necessares in order to relieve the press
Ing wants of Mrs. Higgins household,
| this couple. who, in comparison, could
have given Of their abundance, shut their
eyes and ears to their neighbors' necessi-
ties, though more than one Of the invalids
might have been making rapid progress
toward convalescence. but for the lack of
proper nourishment.
The Rawleys were not in ignorance as
to the feelings Of disfavor with which
their fellow cottagers 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 only.
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 enjoyment of it, AID,
with the same unmindfulness regarding
the wants of others he prepared to set
out for his work again.
you'll about have time to shell the
peas and get the supper on afore I'm
back" We're 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 filed
his cart with the collection of rubbish
and, leading old Derry by the bride,
proceeded leisurely in the direction of
the chaik-pits.
Steadily and quietly the willing AM
NAL plodded on, past the lime cottages,
down the curve of the road within q
few feet of the deep hollow in which
the load he was carrying was to be de-
posted.
But suddenly loud "Whca :" accom-
panied by a tug at the reins, announced
that something was wrong: but this
failed to rectify matters, for the horse,
suddenly checked at the moment of step
ping, was unable to recover his footing,
and after one or two Intellectual attempts,
his knees doubled under him and down
he went.
Then began a struggling and scutiling,
as Adam exerted all his strength to get
Derry to his feet; but the ground,
which was composed of loose sand, was
unfavorable for the purpose, and the
horses struggles brought him nearer to
the 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.
"Shell be over as sure as fate and
draw 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, Lis thoughts few to old
Deborah who was sitting in her kitchen
calmly Smelling a fine gathering Of mar
rowfat,. little guessing the peril Just
then happening 10 her husband, within
a short distance from her dwelling.
Having finished. Sire rose from l,r