The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-08-21

rif1ce, than ?''
"A small sacrifice. Hannah To
me It seems very large"
Heaven only knows what We are
to dol" walled Mrs. Derwent. I'VE
haven't fifty dollars in the world"
Cant We borrow enough money
from Squire Davis to pay of this
mortgage" asked Katie, desperately.
"YOu must think Squire Davis has
no sense" said Hannah, sharply.
"He would know we'll enough there
was no chance Of Our ever paying
him back. We manage to make just
enough off the farm to live. and that's
all"
ITO think that should have to 60
tn the almshouse In my old age
moaned Mira. Derwent.
"Oh, mother" surely not quite 80
bad a. that 2" said Katie.
perhaps you will kindly suggest
some plan. said Hannah. sarcastical.
~. II know Of but one way In which
We can keep our home, and that does
not appear to suit YOU"
"1'll have to think 1t over. said
Katie. land while ! am thinking. I
will catch that gray rooster you want
for dinner, Hannah"
Every we'll: but Paul can't help
you, for I've sent him on an errand.
And ! hope you'll think to some pur.
pose, Katie"
Hannah began to wash up the
breakfast dishes as she spoke know
ing that her sister understood very
we'll what she meant by her last re-
marks, for Katie sighed heavily as
she put on her straw hat and went
out to the farmyard in search OF the
gray cock, which she found scratch.
Ing In some straw. utterly Unconscious
Of his impending doom.
But at the first fiutter Of her apron,
which she tried to throw over him,
be fed, closely pursued by the young
girl, whose seventeen summers had
not given her dignity, or taken from
ber 4 childish love OF racing and
climbing.
But running proved hard work in
the hot August sun, and, out OF
breath at last, Katie stopped IN tho
clover field, the frightened fowl still
q safe distance of.
In Squire Davis great meadow
she could see the busy laborers load.
Ing the immense wagons with new
mOwn hay, and just beyond tho stone
wall which divided his farm from the
Widow Derwent's. lay one Of the
men under the shade Of the spread
Ink oak.tree, hts hat pulled over his
eyes, and his rake lying on the green
grass beside him.
A sudden inspiration seized Katie.
who, putting her foot on the jutting
stone st ! Of the WALL sprang Nightly to
"Msn." she called loudly-"oh.
man will you please help mo catch
my rooster I know Squire Davis
won't mind II you do"
The man thus singularly addressed
sat up suddenly, bis straw hat falling
from his head, and thereby REVEALING
q wealth Of curly chestnut hair. His
clothes were rough and ill'Rtting. It
IL true. but his face refined and
handsome one. and his bearing far
above that Of the average hired man.
II will help you in any way I can"
no said, after 4 quick glance at the
flushed, pretty face OF the girl on the
stone wall. "Oid you say you want.
! ed me to help you catch q rooster y
hesltating just q little.
Eyes, my sister wants him tor din
! ner, and I've run until I'm tired out.
Do yon suppose the squire will scold
il you spend 4 little while helping
mo ?"
"Why ahould he" In tone Of sur
prise.
"Weii. he's very strict, and his
hired men have to work hard, I've
heard. ! guess he don't know Of
your resting under this tree, and In
afraid he will hear Of It from the
other men, and pay you your wages
and turn you off,"
''Oh, see" said the young man
with q smile.
1T IL true; you don't know him q
we'll 40 I do. guess you havn'|
been working for him long"
"Only this morning."
"10u look smart enough 70 MAKE
something better OF yourself than 9
hired man 10 a bayfield," pursuet
Katie. ''But of course that 10 YOU
own affair. Don't let Us waste any
mora time talking; that rooster ]!
getting all his strength back.
The Young man sprane light,
over the atonewall. and again tn
chase began, the poor fowl succumb
Ing to his destiny after five minutes
Of hard running.
"And now you had better hurr,
back to the bayfield," hatle said
after thanking the young man To-
bis assistance, "or YOU will certainl!
lose your place. It iant very plea
SAINT to be turned OIL. Oh. dear.
forgot that Va are to ha Mrned OF
ourselves next Monday.
! "What do you mean =?
| "Welt. / suppose you've heard
everybody In the nel4nDofho0'
knows It that there's mortgage Of
our farm. 1t has been due ok monthi
and now the agent writes We mus
Leave next Monday. "Oh, how
hate that Mr.. Ariel" setting he
small white teeth together vindictive
I ~.
The young man started violently.
us he the holder Of the mortgage?
be asked, biting att whisp OF hay b
held In hls hand, bis dark eyes ben
on tho ground.
/ *"Yes, and be is rich enough. II "a