, 1883-09-01

upon the hearts Of its inmates.
six years passed.
Deacon Washburn's younger sons,
Joe and Charlie, married and settled
down to humdrum existence with
in half mile of their fathers roof
tree.
But PetrOnilla Wayne remained
with her benefactors. Mrs. Wash
burn bad become too feeble and trem-
ulOus to attend to the household du-
ties, bud the brunt of them descend
ed uynn Pets strong, young should
ers. So she went on with the simple
routine of houscwOrk, a tritle wan
and sad-eyed after 'he news Of Har-
ry's death.
One day new misfortune came
to them. The deaCOn's carriagc-shOp
with all it contained, was burned.
And while attempting to cXtinguish
the flames, the deacon himself was
severely injured. There was chance
for his life, the doctor said, but his
physical labOrs could never be re-
sumCd.
MisfOrtunes never come singly.
Before Mr.. Washburn was able to
leave the house former resident of
the town put in an appearance, de-
claring that the Washburn cottage,
and the valuable cultivated ground
belonging to the estate, were held by
a spurious title; in other words, that
Deacon Washburn did not own them
at all.
This was startling discovery to
the unfortunate man. The claimant
Of the estate brought proofs which
only long and expensive suit could
set aside.
"SOrry to turn you from your
home, which you have paid for fairly
enough" said Mr.. IIoskins, blandly.
"But it isn't my fault that the per-
son who gave you the title to this
property had no right to do 50. In
deed, you were in fault for not learn
ing the responsibility Of the party
when you made the purchase. |
shall not force you to move away
until you have sufficiently recovered
to do 50. am kind man at heart,
you see, Mr.. Wushburn."
The "kind-hcartcd" Hoskins
smirkcd and bowed, and left the
cottage.
The deacon was half-crazcd by the
situation. lie could not afford to
carry on an expensive legal suit, with
the probability Of being defeated in
the end.
Charlie and Joe were in no situ-
alton to assist him and Mrs. Wash
burn was more weak and trcmulOus
than ever before.
There seemed to I've no alternative.
They must give up their home and
go-whithcr?
\ week dragged away.
Then a letter came to Deacon
Washburn, written in a srrawly bus
mess hand. 1t was a pithy affair,
and as follows:
| read in Il newspaper that one Al.
bert lIOskins disputed the legality
Of Joseph Wa,hburn'S title To the
house and land which the latter was
supposed to own. knowing Mr.
lldSkins to be- an INSCRIPTIONS vii
lain | will come to CCntrCVillc and
legally oppose his claims in your be-
half. Respectfully, Ctg.,
LANSING, Atturncy-at-law.
\ sort Of joy chokcd the voice of
Pctronilla as she read the singular
cpistlc aloud to Mr.. Washburn.
"But who is this Lansing? An
other fraud, it is likely" exclaimed
the old man, not daring to believe a
turn his fortunes to be possible.
"Perhaps not, Uncle Joe; we
mustn't give up in that way, for do
not believe God has forsakCn u.s."
exclaimed Pet, stroking the silver
gray locks Of her bcncfactor.
That's so, child. At any rate,
this Llusing can't do any worse by
Us than Ioskins will, and we might
as well accept his aid, If he has any
to offer"
So it was settled.
Within week a civil suit IN the
Courts began, when Deacon Wash
burn was not able to attend.
But he learned that Lansing, the
lawyer who had volunteered his aid,
was a brilliant young man, and that
Albert lloskins dared not push his
claims after the attorney had pre-
scnted the other side Of the case.
The claimant seemed to stand
greatly in fear Of his opponent, and
a rumor was circulated that HOskins
was guilty Of numerous crooked
transactions, of which the young
lawyer threatened to convict him.
SO, after Il single days trial the
case was decided, and Deacon Wash
burns little to his hard earned pos
sessions pronounced genuine.
Early in the evening after the
trial a knock sounded upon the door
Of the WaShburn cottage.
Pet answered the summons, fling
ing the door open wide.
A tall, dark bearded stranger
crossed the threshold, and pair Of
handsome eyes looked down upon
PetrOnilla.
She uttered little gasp, her cheeks
flushing slightly, and then becoming
white rs death.
at is-Haryg7 she managed to
ayes, Pet. So you had not quite
forgotten the face Of the black sheep"
returned his deep musical tones.