Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-07-01

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cheek; ''and when am great large
woman, I'll pay you back for being so
kind to my poor mother. Why, she
would have died if you hadn't taken her
in last night. And then should have
died, tool'' r.
Tears were in the farmers eyes as he
stood looking after his late guests; but
his heart was warm with the conscious
ness of good action performed, and
benefit conferred. "a
"You might rs we'll hang sign out,
and say that we keep tavern for every
straggler that comes along" remarked
Mrs. Morton, from the door, 81 do
wish. Caleb. you'd stop doing so. You
wont end till we are both in the poor
house, and then you'll be easy"
''lf I am to go to the poor-house for
helping starving woman and child, go
1 must, Sarah," said her husband,
quietly.
sand go you will. mark my word,"
replied Mrs. Norton. in fury, shutting
the house-door with bang, that made
ever ymilkpan and cup and saucer ring
and rattle again.
Ten years passed on. And it began
to looka prif Mrs. Morton had only been
too true as prophet when she foretold
ruin for her husband and the aims
house for them both.
In an evil day, Caleb Morton signed
note for poor and struggling neigh
Dor, who died Just as the time of pay
ment drew near.
Nothing was left, except scanty pro-
vision for the widow and orphans. Caleb
would have starved before claiming that
from them, even if he could do so
legally. rHil
Their homestead, already mortgaged.
must go to pay the debt, and he was
ten years older, broken down by hard
work, and beaten down just now by his
wife's tongue, which never ceased re-
peating, didn't tell you sop" till his
poor heart was fit to break.
81 did wrong. see it now. I'm
sorry for it. But do not blame me so,
Sarah" he said, sadly. "God knows
meant to do right, and to do my best
for you. And Ill go to the city and
see this rich man that holds the note.
He is lawyer, and they've Just made
him Governor of this State. He don't
need the money, and maybe he will
agree to some arrangement, 80 l can
pay it off by degrees and not sell our
home"
''That's the first sensible word you've
said about the business" cried Mrs
Morton.
And she bestirred herself so effectu-
ally to get him off at once, that by ten
o'clock the next morning he was ring
ing at the door of the beautiful city
mansion in which the new-made Gov
ernor had just taken up his residence.
He was admitted by q servant, who
was rushing out on an efrand in hot
haste.
The household staff was not yet or
ganized. There was no one in the hall
to receive him. He wandered on,
wondering at the tall, marble pillars
and the Aoor of tessellated marbel till
he came to the Gothic library where
the Governor was sitting, III company
with his beautiful six-month's bride.
The old man glanced at the rich car
pet, the velvet and rosewood chairs, the
tall vases, the gilded pictures upon the
walls, through the half opened door.
Then his eyes fell upon portrait that
hung in the place Of honor above the
fireplace, and he stood still. t :
A sweet, pale spirituelle face, with
waving, silvery hair brushed back from
the forehead, and look of peaceful
benediction beaming from the large
blue eyes.
81 ought to know her well," mused
the old man. Sand know now-it is
the poor lady who came to our house,
one evening, with the pretty little child.
1t looks as If all their troubles must be
over, il they live in house like this"
In the library, at the same moment,
a pair of beautiful blue eyes were lifted
to that portrait, end tears dimmed their
light-tears that the lips offs lover
husband soon kissed away.
"If the picture makes you sad, Lucy,
il must be moved to one Of the upper
rooms" said the Governor. ~ never
wish too see a cloud upon your face
again."
'sNo cloud will ever come there
through you, George" replied his young
wife. 81 am not unhappy when look
at her, and 1 like to have the picture
there, because it is in this room that we
shall be oftenest together. was only
thinking how sad it was that she could
not have lived to share with us this
beautiful home"
s'Your mother did not care to live
longer, Lucy" said the Governor, after
q pause. ''She told me 30 herself, after
she had found your Uncle Eustace, and
persuaded him TO do Justice to Won be-