Smyrna times., 1882-01-11
From he lOnkers StUteSm,tn
Story Of a Stocking.
BY ED. l. TORIALLE.
CHAPTER III.


Sunday to herself. She went home in the
morning, and returned in the evening.
This was her Sunday off. Consequently,
after clearing away the breakfast things,
she hurried home to prepare for church.
You're u little late this morning,
Alice" said her mother, meeting her at
the door, and welcoming her with moth
ers kiss 1--WE have been watching for
you this half hour"
"Yes, mother, little late | had some
extra work to do this morning" replied
Alice, cheerily
"You have a beautiful day for your
Sunday School exercises this afternoon,
dear" continued her mother, as she pro-
ceeded with her work,
"Isn't it a lovely day mother. l fancy
nay Winter hat won't look very seasOnable
to-day, though
| "Well, dear. we won't worry about that
now. Run up stairs and get ready for
church Your father will be ready, and
waiting for you"
Alice went up stairs; but no sooner had
she left the room than her father came in
| from the kitchen. where he had evidently
| been hiding from his daughter
| Did she suspect anything?" said he to
his wife in a whisper.
"Of course not Why should she ?"
at will be complete surprise to her,
won't it?" continued Fleming, softly
Yes indeed; she'll be pleased"
! Mother, where is my bonnet?" came
| from Alice. at the top of the stairs.
| "Oh, it's dOwA here child replied her
mother Il brought it down last night to
see if could improve it a little COY you
Presently Alice came tripping lightly
down stairs humming one of her Sunday
School hymns. Imagine her surprise, ON
entering the room, to find her mother
waiting for her, and holding in her hands
beautiful new bonnet. Alice looked puz-
zled, but her mother only smiled,
why, mother, what doe. this mean"
she exclaimed after she had recovered
somewhat from her surprise.
"Well, child, it means that this Is a new
bonnet | bought for you yesterday after
noon"
But, mother, where did you get the
money
"Oh, that's easily explained, my dear
Come here, and let me try it on you"
" But tell me where did you get the
money 2"
Just then her father entered the room,
and she was still more surprised to see
that he was dressed in new suit.
What, father! a new suit Of clothes q
Yes, Alice. | have been treating
myself to new suit. Don't you think
needed it?"
"Why yes, father; but where did the
money come fromp 1t was only the other
day that heard you tell Blr. Graham that
you would not be able to pay your inter
est money until you received your months
pay from him."
Yes child, so you did But last Friday
| received a present of $100w
A present of 800! From whOm?"
From Mr.. Fanshaw-the father of the
boy ] saved from drowning at the excur-
sion last Summer"
Wasn't it kind in him." said Alice
viewing herself in her new bonnet before
the glass.
I" But come, it's time we were off to
church, said Mr.. Fleming, and off they
started, father and daughter, in their new
attire.
In August of the preceding year, one OF
the Sunday Schools of Fairview had given
an excursion to the seaside. While Flem-
ing was in bathing his attention was at
, tracted by the cries of lad who had ven
tured out too far in the water. Being an
expert swimmer, Flemming swan out, and
at the peril of his own life rescued the bOy
from drowning. The mother of the boy
hearing of the accident, hurried down to
the beach Just as her son was being brought
from the water, She proved to be a lady
of wealth from New York. She thanked
Fleming for saving her boys life, and said
she would remember him. She asked him
his name, and he gave tito her, otthinking
for moment the purpose for which she
wanted it. Mr.. Fanshaw, the father of the
boy, was in Europe at the time, and did
| n.
the service rendered his son. he immedi.
ately drew a check for 800, and sent it tC
Fleming And this was where the money
had come from to get Alices new bonnet
and his new clothes.
When within few blocks of the church
Alice and her father met Mr.. Graham on
his way to tho Episcopal Church, where
he was a faithful attendant He no sooner
saw them than he stopped suddenly, and
without sign of recognition turned anC
retraced his steps to his house.
What in the world ails Mr. Graham q
said Alice, who had noticed his strange
conduct,
"Why, it is remarkable, ;" said her father
somewhat perplexed. He must he sick ;
Did you notice the peculiar expression
on his face ?" said Alice. 81 do not think
he has been himself since he lost tina
$175."
"Well, child, $175 is q good deal o
money to lose, but do not think it woulC
affect Mr. Graham in that way. 1t may
be that he has troubles in his busines
affairs" Ay this time they had reached
the church door, and the circumstance wa
for the time forgotten.
+ Mr., Graham returned to his house in a,
happy frame of mind. At his gate he ha,
met Mr.. Lane, the gentleman who hel,
the mortgage on Flemings house. o.
es enquiry he learned that Fleming had pal,
hisinterest money the day before. His wifi
met him at the door, and saw at ono
something had happened.
= why, John, what's the matter?" sal
- she, somewhat anxiously.
Bessie, the problem is solved / wan
no further proof Of the guilt of Alice an
James Fleming"
n "What have you heard?'
IN IN 81 Just met Fleming and Alice on thel
M way to church. He had on q bran ne,
~ suit, and she a new bonnetl"
But, John, perhaps
"There's no perhaps aboutwit, ! kpo'
- Fleming had no money to buy new clothe
And Alice--why 1t was only last Tuesda
she hadn't twenty-five cents to pay tn
expressman for bringing those plant
3 There is no doubt but they are guilty, an
N, will not have them another day"
1t was plain that Mr.. Graham was
earnest. What he had Just seen an
800 heard seemed to be sufficient evidence
* their gilt. But all men are apt to err
= their judgement, and Mr.. Graham was M
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