The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-08-09

storms. enduring trials of such moment,
and difficulties of such character that he
feared in his inherent weakness and unfit
tedness for lifes battles he would succumb.
Surrounded continually by the ills and
cares that such life is subjected to, he
became reckless wanderer, homeless and
friendless.
Not score of miles from the obscure
little village named in the opening of our
story, and only half mile distant and in
view of town of much more Importance,
hard by an unfrequented road that was
used as by-way, stood lonely habitatiOn.
In its early history it had been erected with
logs, but which had long been covered by
rough boards running perpendicularly
from ewes to ground, and which had never
been beautifed or protected from the
weather by coat of paint.
The fence that surrounded and once
adorned the little front had partly fallen
down, and the other was swayed and crook
ed by the storms and blasts of many win
tiers.
Immediately in the rear of this little
abode, running back several rods. from the
dwelling, stood the remains of once pro-
life orchard, but which now, save few
trees, had all gone to decay.
The beautiful garden which once adorn-
ed this little homestead, and in which its
many products grew luxuriantly, and upon
which the occasional passer would look ad
miringly, not to say enjoyingly, had grown
up into mass of rank weeds, and scarcely
any traces of its original distinction or
quondam beauty were discernable.
OF this little abode its whole appearance
bore unmistakable evidence of age and ne
glect; but for the latter there was cause.
For more than fifty years this had been
the home of Simon Hartgrove and wife.
Beginning early in life with buoyant
hopes, and blessed with health, Simon
Hartgrove and wife commenced life's war
fare. Untrammeled by the cares and diff
iculties that usually beset young married
folk, and freed from the incidental re-
sponsibilities of the same, with stout hearts
and joint purpose, they were well fitted to
make life a success
Being a mechanic of more than ordinary
ingenuity and skill, Simon commanded the
first wages in the neighboring town in his
chosen occupation, where he spent his en-
tire life of usefulness.
Purchasing the once beautiful little
homestead that lay in juxtaposition to
where he was daily employed and in which
our story still finds him, they resolved to
make that their future home.
Having but one child, who died in its
infancy, his expenses were necessarily light,
and the good wages which he ever re-
ceived soon liquidated the property, and
the purchase in a few years was his own.
In his time and place, Mr.. Hartgrove was
man much respected, and looked upon by
those who knew him as possessor of honor
and integrity, and having no habits but
which were characterized by economy, it
soon became Il conceded fact that he had
money; but for which this home of happi-
ness and contentment doubtless in after
years would not have been visited by mis-
cry and crime, aye, even murder.
Time went on, and with it brought age
and affiiction. Stricken with paralysis,
Mr.. Hartgrove was unable to perform his
daily avocation, and remained many months
in semi-helpless condition.
Poor Mehitable, his wife, she, too, had
her share Afflicted with partial blindness,
she was only able to perform such duties
pertaining to her household that long years
of habit rendered part of her nature. In
this manner they, whose prospects seemed
brightest in their beginning, had lived
number of years, and to which affiiction
wholly may be attributed the utter neglect
and dilapidation in which we find their
little homestead
About the middle of the afternoon of
weary day, earl y in the month of October,
a way-worn traveller slowly emerged from
the timberland that formed the eastern
boundary of the Hartgrove property.
Aimlessly pursuing his journey along the
rugged untraveled road that led directly in
front of the dwelling, he paused and viewed
the scenery before him. As he stood there
gazing at the time-used picture, his mind
went back over his eyentful and wretched
career. The scenes of his childhood came
up before him; the happy hours he enjoyed
in his innocent pleasures life to him
knew no care, no sorrow but seemed like
long, bright summer day-but ah how
soon obscured. He remembered too well
the change which had been wrought in his
life, even in his YOUTH how the dark cloud
of misfortune hung over him, threatening
destruction. He recalled with a sad heart
the day, young as he was, when he set out
to battle with lifes cares and temptations
Since then scene after scene in panoramic
order passed through bis wFetGhed and
weary mind,
Arousing from the reverie in which he
had been lost for some moments, the scene
before him had made an impression that
he had never before experienced; and then,
as if guided by some unseen hand or gov
erned by that unknown power that leads
us on to our destiny, we know not but he
approached that unprentetious dwelling as
if curious to know if twas inhabited:
He paused moment upon the little
stoop, and then with the cane he was car.
rying raped lightly upon the weather
beaten door.
Presently, in answer to his knock, came
faint and faltering response, "Come in. y
Pushing the door aside, he stepped in,
and in his first hurried glance around the
dimly lighted apartment he did not discern
the figure of woman seated in corner,
trying to perform some household duty.
Arising, she confronted her unexpected
visitor, gazing at him inten.ly with her
half-blinded eyes half alarmed She did
not at once realize who he was or her own
situation. Bernardo perceived this, and
even while he stood there, wonderingly
gazing at the poor, helpless creature who
stood before him, strange feeling, as if
by electric agency, ran through him. An
awful thought flashed through his mind,
and so overwhelming and terrifying was it
that for the time sense lay crushed, and he
stood like one paralyzed, but from which
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