Connecticut western news., 1882-07-26

the gov'ment owes me pension for all the time I've lost in jails and prisons, an this 'ere's good chance to get 1t. I knows where the crib is, cause we stopped there last week for something to eat, don't you mind This feller that owns it was there at the time. There is nobody but woman an two little 'uns, an they're easy fixed, an there ain't no other house nigh"
 "But there's that 'ere other chap as said as he was a-goin' there ?"
 "Him? He's crazy, an if he goes there at all he'll only stop a bit an move on. A tap on the head'n settle him, anyway, if he's there-but then he won't be there."
 During this time Nat was not idle. His tall form, with long and steady stride, was hastening forward "on busi- ness for the King" It did not occur to him what he should do when he reached Tracey's and had been SUD- piled with food. At present he was "obeying " orders and beyond that his thought did not go. It was in- deed long walk he had undertaken, and it was just at dusk that he reached his destination. The Halfway House was lonely hostelry, situated at the intersection of two roads, with no other house in sight, and was common stop ping place for persons passing to and from the city. Nat stepped boldly upon the broad piazza in front, and with full consciousness of his right walked un- hesitatipgly into the pleasant sitting room. Mrs. Tracey came forward to meet him.
 "Why, Nat, is that you ?"
 "Yes'm," he answered gravely. '1 was told to come here an get a square neal. The King sent me-" "The King sent you? We'll, I guess I'll have to give you supper then," said she. "And by the way, Nat, did you see my hus- band on your way here2"
 "Yes'm; and he said for mo to tell you he'd be home to-morrer night, an for you not to be uneasy bout that money"
 ooh dear I did so hope he'd come this evening"" she sighed.
 She was indeed uneasy on account of the money in the house. She had slept but little the preceding night for think ing of it, and had worried about it all
 through the day, and now another lonely night was before her. As she was pre-
 pairing supper for her guest another
 thought came to her. Gould she not
 induce Nat to stop there for the night
 His notion of wandering made it an
 uncertain request, and even if he re.
 mained, with his beclouded intellect,
 he could not be depended on in case
 of trouble. Still he would be company,
 and perhaps he might aid her-she
 prayed for that-if she needed help.
 "Nat," she said, as she poured out g
 glass of milk for him, 'won't you stay
 here tonight ?"
 "I don't know whether it be orders,
 he answered uncertainty. 'Parso1
 said the King sent out h1s messengers an they wasn't to take no money no nothin' to eat, an I don't know if it b. right to stop.'
 70 yes it is" replied Mrs. Tracey catching at once an idea of his thoughts "I heard what the parson said too When the Kings messenger entered
 house he was to abide there-that is t
 stop. Don't you remember ?' Nat considered the proposition.
 "Yes'm; that's his orders. I'll stop,
 he said.
 "And, Nat," pursued the lady, rer dered eager by her success, "there another thing the king said-you hear it at Sunday school. He said, 'Suffe little children to come unto me '-ths is, such little children as mine there, , pointing to them as they stood at ht
 side. "And the King said, to' g Whosoever shall offend one of thes l. little ones it is better for him that r. millstone were hanged about his necl s and he were cast into the sea- I'll 'e King doesn't wish any harm to come 'e his little ones, in any way-you remer l. Der that?"
 d "Yes'm," replied Nat absently. Id "Well, then," continued Mrs. Trace ," driving the concluding nail into h le argument, "if any bad, wick
 men should come here tonight, and t It to hurt me or these little ones that | S. long to the King, you would help | le wouldn't you ?''
 st She waited anxiously for the repl CT He looked at her vaguely for momel IT. and then his eyes wandered aimlest 1d around the room, and then back to h. he Finally he said quietly: fe, ''The King sent me. I'll obey order ed How far he understood she did I Is, know, and all her effort could draw ( Ter no more definite reply, and with u
 she was obliged to be content. on the evening grew late she provit en her guest with sleeping -pla Int in an adjoining room, by throwin, lse few quilts on the foor-for Nat wo cir sleep nowhere else-and then she en down without undressing, on bed Ill. side her children. But it was lt red time before slumber visited her troub the spirit.
 ter, As for Nat, no thought of worry us- anxiety for the future was on his mi ing and he ''slept the sleep of the just" kly his dreams were peaceful. the after a time those dreams becs
 disturbed and discordant-a V,