The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-12-30
"A HARD old CASE" ="
A LITTLE NEW YEAR SKETCH.


Eyes, he is hard old case, that's what
everybody says, SO it's bound to be
true"
Then, didn't he refuse to give good
Mr.. Doodlum single cent for the .pur-
chase of damask curtains and velvet
cushions for South Sea island church?
and didn't be tell Mrs. Sniffle he had
better use for his money than wasting it
on the society for the prevention Of
cruelty to SEQ serpsnts'"
Mrs. Sniffle, kind, thoughtful creature
says she "prsys every night for that poor
hardened sinners soul" Once, when
minister referred to the hard of heart,
the last person In church knew lie meant
Stephen Somerville. They say he makes
"lots" of money, and hides it away-the
miserly fellow! They say he is awfully
stiney, and as unsocial as a turtle in its
shell. "They say" how simple the
words, yet what cruel scars they carve
on many fair name! To how many Bit
ter and unkind thrusts are those two
CO varily little words a prelude They
say he il a perfect Tackleton in gruff-
ness, all little children seem to love him.
You see, they haven't yet learned to reas.
on themselves into likes and dislikes,
but rush blindly into friendships and
bates. Poor little innocents! But some
persons believe the little ones are blessed
with a God-given intuition that msk
them know the pure and the true from
the false.
There is au almost imperseptible soft
light in Stephen SCmerville's grave EYES,
and numeless something winning i'll
the lines around his mouth; but wi at
are those insignificant littls CLEANS and
curves Compared to the "they says" OF
society
Anatonists say we all have such O
thing as a heart, but no one imagined
that the hard old case owned such piece
of property, until he fell in love with
pretty Kate Lawrence. But she was toe
we'll aware of his reputation for being
penurious, cold and selfish, to trust her
life to his care. Still, at times, she
could not conceal from herself the fac
that one word from quiet Stephen Som
erville interested her more than all The
brilliant compliments showered upon hel
from other lips, and that one of his rar,
smiles haunted her for days. But sh,
didn't love him, of course not! The L Nv
rencHs are matter-of-fact, sensible peopl,
and not likely too indulge in such a weak
n IS as falling in love with marble stat
us. Her most devoted admirer wa
L4gHy, vivAcious, courtly, captivating
carpet knight, as elegant and demon
strative as poor Stephen was blunderint
and reserved His tact and winning
ways soon rendered him the honore,
fayorite of st. Mary's best society il
general, and of Miss Kate Lawrence il
particular; SO said Dame Runor. AM
she knows everything.
Among the passengers on very Ut
comfortable puSlic vehicle, adv ertise
as an elegant, luxurious COACH" win
ing and humping aud jostling its way t
st. Mary's late in December, 1878, wa
Kate Lawrence. returning home from
little visit. A gleam of ofsurprised deli B
ovorspread the countenance of MIR. Lega
when, on entering the stage, he behel
his ''heart's fcnd idol" And. after n
hours travel, who should appear bu
S'eDhen Somerville. As gen, raj thin
the reserve Of this hard old cass WIS
fortress behiad which to hide his ee
ings; but ct this unexpected meetin
with somebody on the stage, either Nj
Legay or one of the other passengers,
smile and glow of pleasure llaye
traitor and crept forth from the citade
Aud after the usual greetings, he eve
ventured on some original observati,
about the weather being very cold. Br
X tie replied rather indiffyrenily to tLi
ieTtuTe, aud the hard old case retired
repulsed. TO his shell.
Mr. Legay improved this opportunil
OF displaying his conversational power
and his bright, witty nothinRs were
such marked contrast to poor Stephen
meteorological remark that Kate 500
b, came an ea9er listener. Presently
spoke Of the Difference due to the "glor
GUS sex" from gentlemen, especially
the matter o. travelling, obtaining ticke
and giving mp seats. ITO ne, he sal
woman is ever an object of Adoratio
whether arrayed in the garb Of peasan
or the silken attire Of a princess. (Pe
pie in love do talk so extravagsutly
Aud rather thaA allow a lady tO sta.
in a street car would walk all day"
Nm 81" IslVtIsa the sla.ns, YeGtu