The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-11-06
[From the English Illustrated Magazine. ]
InterlOperS at The Knap.
II.
CONTINUED. |

continued.
The football ceased, and they rose
expecting a knock. They began tc
think it might have been, after all
some neighboring villager under Bac.
chic influence, giving the centre of the
road wide berth, when their doubts
were dispelled by the newcomers entry
into the passage. The door of the
room was gently opened, and there
appeared, not the pair Of travellers
with whom we have already made
acquaintance, but pale-faced man In
the garb of extreme poverty-almosi
in rags.
"0h, it's a tramp-graeious me!'
said Sally, starting back.
His cheeks and eye-orbits were deep
concaves-rather, it might be, from
natural weakness Of constitution than
irregular living, though there were in
dlcations that he had led no careful life
He gazed at the two women =.xedly
for a moment; then with an ahashed.
humiliated demeanor, dropped his
glance to the floor, and sank into a
chair without uttering word.
Sally was in advance Of her mother,
who had remained standing by the
fire. She now tried to discern the
visitor across the candles.
"Why-mother," said Sally family,
turning back to Mrs. Hall. ut is
Phil, from Agstralia!"
Mrs. Hall started, and grew pale,
and tit of coughing seized the man
with the ragged clothes. "To come
home like this!' she said, "Qh,
Philip-are you ill?"
No, no, mother, replied he impa-
tiently, as soon as he could speak.
but for Gods sake how do you
come here-and just now too?"
"Well-I am here" said the man.
"How it is I hardly know. I've come
home, mother, because [ was driven
to it. Things were against me out
there, and went from bad to worse"
''Then why didn't you let US know ?
you've not writ a line for the last
two or three years"
The son admitted sadly that he had
not. He said that he had hoped and
thought he might fetch up again, and
be able to send good news. Then he
had been obliged to abandon that hope,
and had finally come home from sheer
necessity--preylous 10 making a new
start. YES, things are very bad with
me-" he repeated, perceiving their
commiserating glances at his clothes
They brought him nearer the fire
took his hat from his thin hand
which was SO small and smooth as to
show that his attempts to fetch uI
again had not been in manual direc-
ton. His mother resumed her in
quiries, and obviously asked if he had
chosen to come that particular night
for any special reason.
For no reason, he told her. His
arrival had been quite at random
Then Philip Hall looked around the
room, and saw for the first time thai
the table was laid somewhat luxur.
iously, and for larger number thar
themselves; and that an air Of festivity
pervaded their dress. He asked
quickly what was going on.
''Sally is going to be married in ;
day or two replied the mother; anc
she explained how Mr.. Darton, Sally
intended husband, was coming there
that night with the bridesman, Mr.
Johns, and other details. "W,
though hit it must be their step whel
we heard you,' said Mrs. Hall:
The seedy wanderer looked again OF
the floor. II see-I see" he murmur
ed. why, indeed, should ! hay
come tonight! Such folks as I ar
not wanted here at these times, natur
ally. And | have no business here
spelling other peoples happiness"
"PhiI," said his mother, with tea
in her eye, but with thinness of Iii
and severity of manner which wer
presumably not more than past event
justified, ''since you speak like that t.
me, I'll speak honestly to you. Fo
these three years you have taken n
thought for US. You left home wit
good supply Of money, and strengtl
and education, and you ought to hav
made good use Of it all. But yo
come back like beggar; and tha
) you come in very wkWara titue 10
us cannot be denied. Your return to
night may do US much harm. Blu
mind-you are welcome to this hom
as long as it is mine. don't wish t
, turn you adrift. We will make th
best Of a bad Job; and | hope 20
arc not seriously ill?"
"Oh, no. I have only this inferno
cough"
She looked at him anxiously. g
think you had better go to bed {
once" she said
SWELL Shall be out of the Wa
there" said the son YEARLY. "Havin
ruined myself, don't let me ruin yo
by being seen in these togs, fo
Heavens sake. Who do you say Sail
> is going to be married to-a Farmt
.. Darton?
"Yes-a gentleman farmer-quite
wealthy man. Far better in static
than she could have expected. 1t is
= good thing, altogether"
well done, little sali' said h,
brother, frightening and looking IL
o at her with a smile. Il ought
e have written; but perhaps | ha7