Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-09
THE NEW AGENT.

when git to thinkin OF 1t right up an down.
in earnest feel as though I'd rather go to the
workhouse and have done with It."
81 know it's hard, Malcolm; but, really,
couldn't it be harder?'
Harder! Be harder? What can you imagine
harder'n what we have to endure now"
81 was thinking of the health of our little
ones. Malcolm. and of our own health, too
AYE" exclaimed the weary man. with twist
in his face that was comioal. for 1t was comical
idea that had struck him. land jest see what the
health and rObustuousDess of them yOungkets is
costin' me. sometimes think they'll eat US all
up afOre they get their growth
Susan laughed. for she knew how fOndly and
tenderly her husband loved those same young
kets, and how much he would sacrifice tor their
sakes.
She was afraid he would be finally giving up
the farm.
She was born on it. and she loved it dearly.
and it would pull terribly upon her heartstrings
to leave it.
Her six children had been born beneath that
same sheltering roof. and altogether her life
had been very pleasant and happy one.
Yet she knew that they were paying an exor
bitant rent-altOgether too much-mOre by far
than the farm was worth. But others did the
same, and he and she must bear with them.
All this she said to her husband as he sat by
the fire filling his pipe. She spoke mOdestly and
kindly. and persuasvely.
Malcolm lighted his pipe and smoked for a
time in silence. At length he brought his foot
down with a crash and burst.
Dang it ALL didn't mean to tell you, Su-
san, but / can't keep it no longer. Carter
says the ssquires goin' to make another rise on
the rent"
mo, no. Malcolm You do not mean it?"
cts just as true as gospel. Five shillin's a
month That's threee pounds q year."
'Oh. Malcolm, don't believe the squire's got
any hand in the business. It's Carriers own
dom. now you depend upon it,
I've thought O. that myself Susan; but
look: The young blood is away on the CONT
nent-in Paris, believe, where he's been ever
since he came from Cambridge. and he's
spendin' money fast. / tell you | look to see the
whole grand estate hall. abbey and all put up
to the highest bidder one O. these DAYS. Ah
faint as twas when young Philips father was
lvn.' We weren't ground down then. He
lived on his place and looked out for hisself
and now you see where the moneys goin' at
he laid up-thousands upon thousands of
pounds"
A further smoke in silence, and he added:
eff anything should happen at Master Philip
should be obliged to begin to sell. this farm
would be the very first bit O. property to go.
It's the farthest outlyin' farm of the estate.
Jest think of 1t! We're nigh on to five miles
away from the Hall. and yet he owns all the
land atween here and there-every rood of it,
What shame it is at young man without any
family, only his mother and two sisters, should
eat into such grand I'D heritage so outrage
ousiy. HalloO. | declare it's rainin'"
why, it's been raining this half hour, NAL
colm.'
Well, l never noticed it until now Eth.
who's that, wonder:"
1t was rap upon the outer door, Malcolm
got up and took candle, and went to answer
the summons.
He found on q broad dOOr-stOne a Young man,
tall apd strong, clad in rough forest garb such
as gamekeepers and foresters were wont to wear
leather brooches and leather jacket with
strong leather CATERS, and upon his head a
Highland bonnet. He carried in his hand a
towing piece. with shOt-pOuch and powder horn
at his sides.
Malcolm Wansley was not the man to keep a
Wayfarer at his door to tell his story when the
whole story could be read at a glance
''Ah. stranger got caught in a shower eh?
Come right in. We've room, sir, and a bit O.
fire to boot"
Come to bring him into the full light. they be-
held hne-looking man. nearly head taller
than his host, and well proportoned his skin
tanned by exposure to the weather his blue
eyes bright and clear. his face handsome, with
look OF Keen intelligence upon it.
The stranger spoke pleasantly and cheerfuly.
and IN laughing way described his mishap.
He said the gamekeeper of an adjoining es-
tate was a friend of his. who had given him
permission TO run down a deer if he could but
he hadn't done 1t. though he had found q good
wetting. which would help to fill out the story
of the day.
After he had partially dried his garments tho
good wife asked him if he would take sup and
bite, If she would set it before him.
With genial smile, he answered that he was
hungry. He would not put her to trouble. but
if
Malcolm stopped him abruptly
Don't talk of putting us to trouble. sir.
W hat are We goOdfor if we can't help one another
in times of trouble and want? We hain't got
much. and what we have COTS plain and
homelE. but it's good, and It's honestly come
by"
And thereupOn Susan set out q small table
and prepared a substantial meal.
Her three elder children came in from the lit
tie Kitchen. where they had been parching corn,
and seated themselves modestly by the fire with
dish of the snowy corn before them
The stranger begged few kernels and the
eldest, a girl Of twelve years, at once offered
him half of all they had. but he only thanked
her and accepted small quantity; and as he
ate he told the little ones how he had loved
popped corn when he was child like them
selves.
When the meal was ready the stranger ate
and drank with relish. and when he had con-
Guided he gladly accepted pipe. and as he
smoked he began to question the host about
himself and his affairs. He said he was almost
stranger III that region, and he knew but little
of it.
What" said he. in SURPRISE after Malcolm
had told him who was his landlord. ..does this
farm belong to the Maxwell estate? / had no
idea that the territory extended so far
YES. sir" responded the farmer "Young
Philip Maxwell OWNS a big estate and it's a pity
he don't take care OF it. If all | hear IS true
he's running through il pretty fast"
''is that so? What makes YOU think it?'
asked the stranger
What makes me think it?" echoed Malcolm.
eleyating his brow and blowing out an extra
cloud OF smoke Would a young man like him.
without famlly-leastwiSe | never heard ut his
bein marred-wOuld he. Ownn' such grand
estate dS this, crowd down on a poor man like
me till he'd got almost his last shlin' and then.
on top o that. Jam and crowd harder still if he
wasn't goin' it pretty fast?"
Malcolm was becoming excited and the
thought of the last rise in his rent. which had
been made known to him on that very day. filled
his cup of Indignation to overflow.
Yes, sir" he went on, I've been nayin'
rent for this farm that no man ever ought to
pay-a rent that has robbed me and my GOOD
wife and the little ones Of things that we really
needed-and now it's to be raised again. Su
san-thats my wife, sir-her father rented this
l;fin. ana she was born here which, You'll I'M
derStand. Kind o 'taches her to the place. Well
her lather paid I1O year and paid once i'm six
months My inst years rent was G12 then IL
went up. and up and up. and for three years
last past I've paid 70 a month and now sir
I've got notice that I'm to pay an advance of
I'VE shilllhs month. That's Is more wear
Not much. you may say, but it's the last ounce
that breaks the camers back When a mans
payln all he can pay, how can he pay more 7"
But" said the wayfarer shaking the ashes
from his pipe. why don't you speak with the