San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1880-11-18

0lreuuy Tlcu-iuu ouoAou Sse tS~c
man among them-the owner OF the
one. horse shay-a dollar Of the be-
;aueathment left to him or her; but
they had rather rejoiced in his disap-
pointment.
i The truth is, everybody had proph-
esied that John Clarke, q poor, moth.
erless boy, would como to irnn, and
they wanted the prophecy to prove a
! true one. He bad in, his youth, been
wild and wayward, and somewhat
proAigate in the early years OF his
manhood; but his old uncle had en-
coursQed him TO- reform, held out
hopes to which ae had hitherto been
q stranger, and the love Of the, sweet
young Jenny Brazier completed, az
! It seemed, his reformation,
Jenny never appeared SO lovely as
she did on that unfortunate day OF
the reading Of the will after they
had returned to the poor little house
that was Jennys own. ..,,,
No matter, John, she said cheer
fully you will rise in spite Of them, I
wouldn't let them think ! was in the
least discouraged; that will only
please them too well. We are doing
nicely now, and you know il they do
cut the railroad through our bit OF
land, the money will set us up quite
comfortably /; isn't our home q hap
by one, if It is smallf And oh! john
by and bye!--a .+,.s,a.
An eloquent blush-a glance to
ward her work-basket,t out Of which
peeped the most delicate needle
work, told the story-that, ever new
story of innocence, beauty and help
lessness, that bring cares akin to
angels work. 80 .,.g-a .5,. 4
For once, John Clarke stopped the
gossip's mouth. He held his head
up manfully; worked steadily at his
trade, and every step seemed q sure
advance, and an upward one. ~
Baby was just six months old
when the corporation paid into John
Clarkes hand the sum of six hun
dred dollars for the privilege OF lay
ing the track through his one little
field. .......,
"A handsome baby, beautiful and
industrious wife, and six hundred
dollars thought John, with an hon.
est exultation; well, this is livingr
john said his wife, rising from
her work, 1ook out.
He did, and saw the old one-horse
shay dragged by stalwart negro.
'Massa says as how the old barn is
guine to be pulled down, and SO he
sent your shay!' said the African.
Thank him for nothing, said John
bitterly; but a glance at his wife re-
moved the evil spirit, and q. better
one smiled out Of his eyes.
John, you can spare q little money
now to have the old shay fixed up,
can't you? You ought to according
to the WILL said Jenny.
The old trash muttered John.
But you could at least sell it for
what the repairs would cost said
Jenny, in her winning way.
yes, suppose I could.
Then I'd have it done, and bless
me, I'd keep it too. You've got q
good horse, and can have the old
shay made quite stylish for baby and
me to ride in. Shan't we shineT
We'll, I'll send it over to Hosmers
morrow, and see what he'll do it
for?'
Look here! Mr.. Hosmer wants
you to come right over to the shop!
shouted the carriage-makers appren-
tice, at the top OF his lungs, old
Deacon Joe's there, an says he's
right down glad, golly, it's hundreds,
and hundreds, and hun.
Stop, boy! What in the world
does he mean Jenny?- cried John
Clarke, putting the baby in the era
die face downward
MY patience, John, look at the
child-2recious dlrling! I'm sure ]
don't know, John, I'd go right over
and see, said Jenny, by snatches
righting the baby; and it's fun, ]
suppose.
sTain't any fun, I tell ye, said the
boy, while John hurried on his coat
and hat; my gracious! guess you'll
say it amt fun when you come to see
them ere gold things and the bills.
This added wings to John Clarkes
speed, and in minute he stood
breathless in the old coach-makers
shop.
Wish you JOY. my fine feller!
cried Deacon Joe.
Look here-whatn you take for
that old shayi I'll give you four
thousand dollars, cried the crlch-
maker, in great g,ee.
-Four thousindr cried John,
aghast-
Yes, Jest look at i'll You're a rich
man, sir; and by George I'm glad Of
il, for you deserve TO be,
The carriage-maker shook his hand
heartily.
What do you suppose were the
CONSERVATION, delight, gratitude; the
Wild Joy that filed the heart Of
Clarke, when he found the old shay
6llel with gold and bank notesl 1
mean the cushions the Innings, and
every place where they could be
placed without dImlge or injury
thieves never wgud have coniescend-