The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-27
WHAT THE ODD JOBS DID.


alt is the Lords will, wife, and we
can but submit, " said Nathan Holloway,
sadly. Il have prayed long and ear
nestly that He would provide some way
for us out of this great trouble; but He
knows best, and He will be with us
even when we have to leave the old
home. | hope they won't come to
notify us to-day, the first day of the
New Year, and yet | suppose we might
as well look this in the face first as
last"
80 Nathan!' said his wife, as she fell
on her knees by the side of the chair to
which for months he had been confined,
elf you were well and strong. L should
not mind leaving the dear old place so
much; but | know how hard it will be
for you, as you are, to make another
place seem like home"
Wife," said her companion, laying
his hand fondly on her head, ''with you
by my side any place will seem like
home. Do not know how you have
struggled and tOiled so that we might
stay here even until to-day? Where
should we have been now, had you not
so bravely taken things into your own
hands? l feel badly about Walter, for
I had hoped to give him a good educa-
ton; but as God has seen fit to render
ME so helpless, it cannot be now, and
we must try to find something for the
boy to do. But, wife. we will not tell
him of it to-day. Let us make it a
happy day for him, so that when we
are gone he may remember with pleas
ure the last New Years Day he ever
spent here"
Eyes, Nathan, I've"
There, wife, l see lawyer Turner
coming up the lane. You had better
go now. | did hope they would let us
feel that the old place still belonged
to us to-day, but God knows best.
Nathan, wish you would let me
stay and see the lawyer with you"
mo, no, wife; can stand this better
alone
His companion rose, pressed her lips
to his brow, and left the room without
word.
Happy New Year, said the lawyer,
as she met him at the door. ''Happy
New Year" be repeated as he entered
the room where the invalid was await
ing him.
awkward" he muttered. as though
TO himself. 1t don't sound right to
wish man that, when you've come to
turn him out of doors, as you might
say
During this speech he had been
fumbling over 4 bag of papers he had
brought with lin.
Suppose YOU know what brings me
here, Mr.. Holloway" he added, help
ing himself to a seat.
Yes, was the reply; ''you have
come 10 notify me that the mortgage is
TO be foreclosed at once"
Il see you've kept track of dates and
SO forth. don't often attend to such
matters on holidays, but laid aside my
rule for once and made a special case
of this. understand you are not pre-
pared TO pay"
mo, am not prepared to pay"
PITY YOU have not some friend to
borrow the money from. Five hundred
Is small sum to give up such fine
place for"
Il could not ask any one to lend me
money when there would be no pros
Pect of my ever being able to pay back
the loan.
Wise. very wise; but your grandson
might be able some day to pay it for
you"
Walter is but lad, was the reply,
+'and it would be long ere he could do
1t, nor would | be willing to burden his
young life with a heavy debt. No, the
old place must GO
And YET" said the lawyer, writing
on one of the papers he had with him,
81 am told it was for his father, to pay
OF some OF his debts, that the place was
first mortgaged. l don't see why. when
his conduct almost ruined you, you
took upon yourself the support of his
child"
That is all a thing of the past now.
You know that my son is dead"
True. the original mortgage was two
thousand, and you have paid up all but
FIVE hundred" Again he busted hirn-
self with his pen Suppose youwould
have paid it all if you had not been dis
abled?"
Il hoped to be able to do so, but God
IN dis all-wiSe providence has seen fit
TO order things otherwise. When do
You propose to offer the place for sale?"
1he old mans voice was very sad.
1t will not be necessary to offer it pub
lely, was the lawyers low reply, '.fOr
! have privately found future owner
for the place, and it is that which has
brought me here now"
"When does he wish to come into
possession" asked the old man, think
ing more OF that than of the price that
had been offered.
81 think he would like to come into
possession to-day" said the lawyer,
writing busily again. 81 have brought
all the papers with me-"
To-day, to-day" said the old man,
starting.
Eyes, many people, you know, like
TO start things with the beginning of