The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-11-06

thirsty with my long tramp"
"Yes, yes; we will bring something
upstairs to you," said Sally, wit
grief in her face
"Ay, that will do nicely. But, Sail,
and mother He stopped, ant
they waited. Mother, | have no
told you ALL" he resumed slowly, still
looking on the floor between his knees
"Sad as what you see Of me is, there
worse behind"
His mother gazed upon him il
greived suspense, and Sally went ant
leant upon the bureau, listening fo
every sound, and signing. Suddenly
she turned around, saying, "Let then
come, l don't care! Philip, tell th'
worst, and take your time"
"Well them" said the unhappy
Phil, II am not the only one in thi;
mess. Would to Heaven l were! But
I have a wife as destitute as L.
"a wife ?" said his mother.
"Unhappily."
"A wife! Yes, that is the way with
sonsw
'And beside" said he.
Besides! O Philip, surely"
II have two little children"
"Wife and children!" whispered
Mrs. Hall to herself.
Poor little thinges!" said Sally in
voluntarily.
His mother turned again to him
Il suppose these helpless beings are
left in Australia?
mo. They are in England" 4
"Well I can only hope you've left
them in a respectable place.
II have not left them at all. They
are here-withiu few yards of US.
In short, they are in the stah'~
did not like to brine - 80. =,
!, : nau ~ you, mother, and broken
One bad news bit to you. They
were very tired, and are resting out
there on some straw.
Mrs. Halls fortitude visibly broke
down. She had been brought up not
without refinement, and was even
more moved by such a collapse of gen.
teel aims as this than a substantial
dairyman's widow would in ordinary
have been moved. 'Well, it must be
borne" she said, in a low voice, with
her hands tightly joined. "a starving
son, a starving wife, starving children.
Let it be. But why is this come to us
now, to-day tonight! Could no other
misfortune happen to helpless women
than this, which will quite upset my
poo1 girls chance Of a happy life?
Why have you done US this wrong
Philip? What respectable man will
come here, and marry open-eyed into
a family Of vagabondsr'
Nonsense, mother!' said Sally
vehemently, while her face flushed
Charley isn't the man to desert me!
But If he should be, and won't marry
me because Phil's come, let him &c
and marry elsewhere. l won't be
ashamed of my own flesh and blood
for any man in England-not r.
And then Sally turned away and burst
into tears.
wait till you are twenty years old
er and you will tell a different tale, ,
replied her mother.
The son stood up. Mother" said
he, "as I have come, so l will 60. All
[ ask Of you is that you will allow me
and mine to lie in your stable tonight
| give you my word that we'll be gone
by break of day, and trouble you nc
further"
Mrs. Hall, the mother, changed at
that. "Oh, no" she answered hastily
never shall it be said that | sent any
of my own family from my door
Bring 'em in, Philip, or take me out
to them"
1--WE will put 'em all into the large
BEDROOM" said Sally, frightening
"and make up a large fire. Let's &c
and help them in, and call Susannah.'
(Susannah was the woman who assist
ed at the dairy and housework; she
lived IN cottage hard by, with hel
husband, who attended to the cows,
Sally went to fetch lantern from
the back kitchen, but her brother said,
you won't want light. [ lit the
lantern that was hanging there"
what must we call your wife,
asked Mrs. Hall.
Helena" aid Philip.
With shawls over their heads they
proceeded towards the back door.
Zone minute before you &C" inter
rupted Philip. II haven't confess
ed all"
"Then Heaven help usr' said Mrs
Hall, pushing to the door in calm de
spair.
"We passed through Verton as WI
came," he continued, and | just look
ed in at the Dog to see if old Mix
still kept ON there as usual. The car
rier had come in from Casterbridge a
that moment, and guessing that wa
bound for this place-for | think h'
knew me-=he asked me to bring on
dressmaker's parcel for Sally that wa
marked Immediate Ny wife haC
walked on with the children. 'Twa
flimsy parcel, and the paper wa
torn, and | found en- looking at i
that it was thick, warm gown.
didn't wish you to see poor Helena il
shabby state. I was a. hamed tina
you should-'twas not what she wa
born to. | united the parcel in tn
road, took it on to her wher,
she was waiting in the Abbot's Barn
and told her | had managed to get i
for her, and that she was to ask n
questions. She, poor, thing, mus
have supposed l obtained is on trust
through having reached place wher
| was known, for she put it on gladl.
enough. She has it on now. Sail.
has other gowns, | dare say"
Sally looked at her mother, speech
less.
"You have others, I dare say" re
peated Phil, with sick mans impa
tience. Il thought to myself, Bette
Sally cry than Helena freeze We'll
is the dress of great consequence
Twas nothing very Ornamental, a
! far ss ! could see"
"''No-no; not of consequence" re
! +nrnod Sa1lv sadly addinU in q cent