The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-01-08
replied Byrd, although he resented the

"Mr. Worsham was her second hus-
band. She had been married to drum.
ken, worthless vagabond whom was
compelled to drive away"
"Quite right. Mr.. Byrd-exactly
right. What became of the vagabond ?'
'T don't know"
"Died I suppose. 1t is of no conse-
quence what became of him. Then a di-
7orce followed?"
eyes, sir. I insisted upon a divorce
against my daughters wish and she mar
ried Mr.. Worsham, well.to-do man.
But bad luck fastened upon us and never
let 90. Mr.. Worsham died insolvent,
and one reverse after another swept away
my little property and was forced to
come out here to begin life again. 1t Is
hard task, sir, for an old man."
"I should say so. You ought to have
remained among your friends. What
boy is that ?"
aMy grandson" family replied Byrd,
who was weary of this style Of question
SSon ofthe vagabond, or of Worsham ?"
aAlbert is the son of my daughters
first husband"
"I have taken fancy to him. You
want home, and I will tell you what I
will do. Give me that boy and l will
give you fine ranch, we'll stocked, with
everything you need to make you comfor-
table Is it bargain?"
"Do you expect me to trade off my
daughters child?" Indignantly demanded
Byrd. -,
an interest in him. Suppose you ask her.
She ought to be willing to accept q COM
Portable home for life, when she knows
that the boy. will be well provided for"
st will bring her here ifyou WISH"
"No; I don't want to see any women
folks. Ask her and bring the word"
II will ask her" replied the old man !;
s'butI know what her answer will be-"
John Byrd soon returned and informed
General Chance that Mrs. Worsham had
refused to accept his offer, declaring that
she would rather die than be parted from
her boy.
"That is all have to say to you. You
may CO." !,
John Byrd sadly left the house, and
its owner signed to the ranchman to re-
main.
HMr. Whips, said he, "I.wish you
would follow that old man. Take him
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 let me know if money is
needed
So John Byrd and his little family,
greatly to- their surprise, were settled and
made more than comfortable. z.
There was nothing to trouble them but
the uncertainty of their tenure and q
fear that another direction might be ta-
ken by the peculiar disposition of their
strange benefactor, who would not allow
Mrs. Worsham to come near his house,
saving that he "didn't want to see any
women folks"
He only endured her father, but was
very friendly to the boy, whom he pre-
sented with fine pony and saddle.
For his own part he seemed determined
not to show his face at the Hitler ranch.
|. Providence, however, was disposed to
set aside this determination.
As he was returning one day from q
distant stock-farm his horse SHE'D and
threw him near the Hitler ranch, drag.
ging him for some distance by the stir
rup. He was carried into Mr.. Byrd's
house, where it was discovered that his
head and face were so badly cut and
bruised that it would be necessary to
remove his hair and beard.
When this operation had been per-
formed Mrs. Worsham came into the
room for the purpose of helping to dress
his wounds, and fairly shrieked as she
saw him.
"AIbert Wakely" she exclaimed.
'Is it really you. ;. i,
"Yes, Mary, it is T." quietly replied
General Chance. 'If you are going to
do anything for me, please do without q
fuss"
Mary Worsham took care of him; and
he encouraged her attendance. When
he was stronger he spoke to her more
freely. :.
"Mary, did you really object to di-
vorce and to your second marriage Z"
eyes, Albert, I never loved any man
but the father of my child, in spite OF
his great fault, and object to everything
that could injure you. But you ought
not to blame father. He meant to act
for the best"
"I don't blame him. 1t was for the
best. Itmade man ofme, and I am, as
1 ought to be, deeply grateful to him.
Mary, that is a fine boy of ours"
Within month there was wedding
on the San Benito estate which was
made such an occasion of rejoicing as to
be long remembered in that region.
The contracting parties were Walter
Chance, as he was still determined to be
known, and Mary, widow of Abram
Worsham.