Smyrna times., 1882-01-04
From ne Y0akers gLa.esH,cn.
Story Of a Stocking.
BY ED. I. TORIALLE.
CHAPTER I

CHATTER I.
"Come wife, have only forty minutcs
to eat my breakfast ard catch the train. ::
said John Graham, hurrietlly entering the
dining room, where his wife was already
waiting his coming.
My dear, breakfast has bccn raady anI
| waiting for you ct least fifteen minutcs." +"
| replied the amiable little woman gently
ringing the little bell, as she seated herself
At the table and began arranging the Snow
white CUES ard sAuccrs in front OF her.
The summons was promptly answered
by neat, intelligent looking girl, who
bore in her hands a plate of hot mutlins
and little coffee pot. which she deposited
in front of Mrs. Graham.
" Why, Alice! you must have gotten ur
with the earliest of the cIickcns?" sal!
MIR. Graham, good nataredly, as he CON-
menced operations on one Of the delicate
white muiipa. 81 was anticipating a cold
breakfast this morning, being obliged to
leave Oh an earlier train than usual, and
having neglected speaking to you Of it last
night"
p" heard you telling Mrs. Graham, last
night at supper, that you intended taking
an early start this morning, sir; 50 made
my calculations accordingly, and was uD
a little earlier than usual" replied Alice
pleasantly. as she set the last dish on the
table, and left the room.
" really think, dear, we ought to raise
Alicc's wages next MONTH" said kIrs,
Graham. she's good girl, anI is GER
tainly worth more than We are paving
her. Besides, l think the family need
money"
1es, wife, have thought Of that
myself. | think after this month ne will
give he $l3. She is really worth it. Let
me sec; when is her month up?"
Next Wednesday--a week from to-
day"
Having finished his meal, Mr.. Graham
ran up stairs to kiss the baby before
taking his departure. In the sitting room
he met Alice who had just come from
looking after the baby.
BY the by, Alice" said le, AZ expect
package by express to-day. Here are
twenty-five cents to pay the man when he
brings it," And, pulling out his pocket
book, he handed her quarter,
at came yesterday, sir. Mrs. Graham
was out at the time, and had no money
OF my own to pay him, 20 l told him to !
call this morning."
Just then he heard cry form his little
boy, who had awakened, and, carelessly
laying his pocketbook OH stand, he hur-
ried into the bed room to greet his two.
year-oid heir. Catching him up in his
arEas, he gave him number of good.
hearty kissos. and thcn handed him to
Alice, who had followed into the bed
room.
bly, stars" exclaimed the surprised
father, consulting his watch. 81 have
only ten minutes to catch my train ~
Hurrying out of the room and down
stairs, ne found his wife awaiting him,
his hat in her hand. Implanting his part.
ing kiss on her lips, he started off at q
pace that would have been creditablo to a
professional pedestrian.
John Graham was New York merchant
lie had commenced life poor boy; but.
by industry and perseverance, had worked
himself up, until he had become the pro-
prietor of - tiourishing business. About
Six years previous to the commencement
Of our story, he had married; and prcf.rr.
ng suburban life to that of the citv. he
had bought himself a comfortable home.
"ithin few miles of Now York, Here
nc passed the happiest hours Of his life.
The house-a neat, unimposing locking
'tructure-was surroupded by two acres
'f ground, tGstefnlly laid out in grass,
lowers and fruit. He took great pride in
having his place look clean and trim; and
o this end, kept man constantly en-
'ioyed, He also had o fine hennery.
which was stocked with the choicest Of .
owls. He had, however, for the past few
months, been greatly annoyed by chicken :
hieyes, who were in the habit of makine
me or two visits fortnight TO his hennery. i
lnd relieving him OF. some Of his finest
'irds. More than once he had set a watch .
or the marauders, but had never succeed I
d in detecting them. ,
His gardner, James Fleming, took us {
auch pride in having the place look well
8 did the owner himself He was COM {
limentcd on every side for his good taste t
a gardening, and his unique designs were t
atterns for the flower beds of the neigh I
orhood. BY plain living and economy,
e had been enabled TO lay by money s
nousn to buy himself o house. There 4