The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-12-03

'ti'i1iSS1s tl14& q E'Oo1 ustd,
Margie's clear, soft, penetrating eye
were quietly reading the face of til
speaker. What she saw seemed salts
factory, for she nodded in reply to m
questioning look.
In spite of his thrcadbare apparel, h
looked so thoroughly respectable that
was half ashamed Of the question I wa
compelled to put:
Il suppose YOU have references
sir?"
"No; all are dead who might speaI
for me If they could. You will have t.
take me on trust"
I looked at Margie again. who, givins
me another nod, said:
"Perhaps the gentleman will mention
what he feels able to pay?"
The stranger did so, adding;
81 am poor and cannot pay any more.
The sum named, though not large
was more than what we were intending
to ask, as 1 told him.
The old man frowned and shook hi
head.
'Thee shouid't have told me that
have halfa mind to give thee no more.
Then counting out upon the table the
amount lie had stated, he pushed it to
ward ME, adding:
"NIy name is Thomas. will be here
tomorrow morning with all my traps. ,
The traps mentioned consisted Of an
old-fashioned hair-trunk, and large
chest, the latter being mainlyf filed with
books.
We were not long in finding out that
our lodger was very odd, though his od-
dities wero of the most innocent and
harmless nature.
He asked me to substitute a patch
work quilt for the white counterpane on
his bed; and spent a whole day rumag-
ing auction rooms to find some old-fash-
ioned chintz to take the place of the
pretty muslins curtains on which I had
spent so much time and labor. I had
taken a rocker for him from the sitting
room, but spying, one day, an old leah
er bottomed chair that had belonged to
my grandfather, he asked me to ex-
change with him, which I was very glad
to do.
Not long after, q chest OF drawers,
that was my grsndfathers, found its way
back to its old place, together with the
quaint brass-mounted mirror that al
ways hung over it.
So that, at last, the room looked very
much as it did before we arranged it
with so much care and labor.
John and I had quite laugh over it
but so long as it suited its present occu-
pant, we did not mind.
It was Margie who first suggested
that we invite him to take tea with US
one day, when we had some unusual de-
hcacy-early Strawberries, I think.
'tHe must be very lonely, poor mani
said my gentle-hearted sister. aPer-
haos he doesn't havo enough SO -----% p
He spoke aboUt Dei-i:s ioo17-~9 "
know. -,
After this, he dropped in occasional
" in the evening, bringing some ne"
1oaoazine or paper, and reading to US
&C We sat at work. Finally, it became
an established custom with him to take
tea With us twice, and sometimes three
times week; frequently inviting MN
saIf though we always knew ne was
coming by the advent OF the marAe1-OoH o.,
with a liberal supply Of PROVISIONS aD
of the best quality. ;.
This troubled Margie's tender conscl,
ance snd she demonstrated with MIN oii'
day. =, ;+h GRAVE
shake of the head. I'm poor man
and ought to be prudent.
He and John were apparently on :n
, hest of terms, yet he was always nnoln'
fault with him to me. =.
5 s.To think of his taking the entlr
, CHARGE of his mother, when she ha
other children, and sending honey I
I,;s broiber's widow!' he said to me on
5 day. tho s1;ob-
1 est ref ection upon John, and de1ene
). cd him with a spirit and indlgnatlo
n that seemed to amuse Mr.. Thomas n'
q little. +1,<
k ous ht to do better, Ruth, he resume' me
e when T paused for want OF breath. ~
bnt what John is good enough, but ne
e Door. I've heard that thee retusea 9I7S N
e Hart, who is worth million: Mn
e made thee do such foolish thlns
d that, child?" 1 .,
IS T do love John.
/, The silence that followed made
N glance up at my companion, VINO Il
Of turned towards the door. 1t was gro
or ino dusk, and the face was partly aTe'
so ed but T was almost sure that the ey
we're full Of tears.
l In the early spring ne was knock
ne down by a runaway horse' SUSTAIN
tn some internal injury from which
~ never recovered. ;.
% % John and T toak turns in nursing n,
of T. was pleasant, afterwards, to remem'
~ that he wanted for nothing.
!" John. Margie and we're there.
in had been living in stupor tor SC
Nv bonrs. now he reused himself and be-
ks to talk, startling us not little oy
nts strange expression: ,, !, ~
.ho .:I Was born in this room, he s.
ay. glancing around; 'and 1 shan
the here J,;,,
ITS Thinking his mind was wandering
old laid my hand gently on his.
ow, s.Thee has thy mothers name, II
his and her kind heart as well, but tiny
ach are like thy fathers. He has been Il
thanking me for providing for his
on phan girls. This was our room w
With we we're boys. Dear old Joe! DC
lich the dawning of another day we
and meet"
John and looked at each otne
was wandering awe. Two years ago u l
his stood by my fathers dying bed. y"
the the same mysterious shadow that
east. their faces look so strangely like!
his The dying man continued:
.:o "Thv father and I were brothe {,
tinle .i Did he nersr speak to thee OF his D
'is er Tom, who forsook home ana CO.
ox+s because a girl, as false as talr' Droh
Il ieH.o 10 plichted troht to wed a rlcnes - .
: 70 You have both been very KIND L
Door old man who came to you !,
,: ger have not forgotten IT, as u