Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-11-06


she said politely. rs she placed a COM
Portable cushioned chair by the side OF
the fire.
well, this is complete anomaly, "
he nurmured. Here | come to quiet
looking tavern, and find pretty, good
natured barmaid. who does not think
it mira dig. TO atter to an old mans
comforts. Well, well, this is a strange
wordp'
His further reflections were cut short
by Annie, who entered laden with q
waiter, with steaming jug of water,
brandy. and glasses.
Il should like Il chop" said the old
gentleman. rs she was about to leave
the room. Can l have Que? Mind,
it must be done on the gridiron.n
"Certainls, sir" replied the girl. 81
will order it Mt once
Mind, | am very particular, and
can't eat morsel of fat, he added
"What funny old man he is!'' she
murmured. II fear he is very poor;
his coat looks green, as ii he had worn
it for twenty years or more. I'll get
cook to grill the largest chop in the
larder, and put threepence in the till.
shant miss il. II dear father had
lived he might have been poor like
him"
THAT was a very nice chop, miss, "
said the old fellow, when he rang to
pay the bill; chow muchP"
A little blush stole over her face as
she told him her charge, which was
threepence less than the modest tariff
of the house.
Il shall come again" he said. cluck-
inc with evident pleasure; lit is not
only nice, but cheap. But before you
run away, will you answer me one
question:"
Eyes, sir. with pleasure, il | can. y
How is it that you come out OF your
bar to wait on an old fogy like me,
when there's lazy beggar of a waiter
loaiing about out there.
"Well, sir" she replied confusedly,
Il thought / might make You more
comfortable, and, besides, this is my
resting hour; Mrs. G over takes the bar
then"
And your well-earned hour you
have wasted on IN old man! Ny child,
remember what 1 say: no kind action
of that sort ever goes unrewarded, and
accept an old mans thanks and grail
tude--it's all | have to give" this as
he buttoned up his shabby old coat and
shambled out.
well, he is q funny old gentleman!"
she said to her self, rs she tripped up
stairs TO change her dress. Il wonder
if he will really come again. Well, ii
it makes his life little less dreary,
hope he will.
She need not worried about her visit
or. for he came rs regular rs the clock
every day, and Mrs. Clover had given
HIM the name OF ''Annie's ancient adj
mlrer.
Many were the jokes levied on the
good-naturel girl by the servants,
when she gave the usual order--a very
lean chump-chop done we'll
But they were all much attached to
the gentle girl, and would have done
anything TO serve her, but the spirit of
fun would possess them ;t times.
She took no heed, and still waited on
the old gentleman, who mad even gone
so far as to give her his name and tax
en- hers in exchange.
You see, nv dear" he said one
dav, when he had been constant Wis
itor for about three months, and VIM
ter WAS fast giving way to spring, sit
is only right that people who meet ev-
cry day should ask each others name.
Now mine is Hardy-Wil Hardy,
and yours is Annie; but want to know
your surname as we'll"
My name in full is Annie Seaheld,
sir
And verv good name too, my
dear. Well, perhaps YOU won't forget
mine if you should ever hear it-ehP"
mo; | should not indeed. because
it is name l can never forget.
WHY" he exclaimed sharply.
because Hardy was the name Of Mel
sons dearest friend, who caught him
when he had received his death wound. "
"Capitall Why, you are well mp in
the naval history of your country. You
have been well educated from what l
| can see. You were not brought up for
this position, / fancy. Deserve some-
thing better Vino knows? perhaps.
some day. you may be able to hold
your own yet, my child"
81 am very oontented, sir. in the po-
sition Heaven has thought fit to place
me in. But, still, you are quite right.
| was borne in different circumstances.
My father was large hotel proprietor
in Southampton, and through over
speculation and bad men, died in pow
erty."
II thought as much" he returned
dryly. 1.-The old story, "A fool and
his money A starving family left
to battle with cold. grasping world. "
II am contented." she said cheerful
| ". Every body is good to me-"
stuff and nonsense!" he murmuI ed.
"Nobody's good in this selfish world
but yourself. I've had good spell,
considering the years | have been in
it. Everybody has interested motives.
People are what you call kind to you
/ because you are necessary to them.
You become i'll or crippled, and then
see what kindness you will get from
the world
Il should not like to think that, -
IL