The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-03-22
A GENERAL DIFFUSION.
nRat. tat. tat. .

''Rat, tat, tat"
Responsive to the vigorous pound1ngs
upon his front door that had produced the
above sounds, Farmer Williams dropped
the paper he was reading and went to the
door, at the close of an afternoon in early
May.
81 have called to see if you are in want
of help for the summer" remarkeda young
man-evidently not far from twenty five
upon whom Mr.. Williams looked as he
opened the door.
swell, am short of help this season."
was the reply.
81 should like to engage to work for
you"
"Come in and we will talk the matter
over, Mr." -
"Ainslee-Charles Ainslee."
And the two entered the house.
care you accustomed to farm work 2" in
CURED Mr.. Williams, as the newcomer
seated himselfand placed valise, which he
carried, on the floor beside him. "You do
not look as If you were, or very strong
either"
And, indeed, the farmers words were
true. Mr.. Ainslee was tall and of a deli
cate frame, while his pale features and
slender white hands indicated, if not ill
health, an unfamiliarity with manual out
Of-door labor.
81 never did days work on a farm in
my life" was the frank response. 81 have
always lived in the city where my chief oc-
cupation has been to get rid of the time
As you suggested, my health is not very
good, and | thought a change of scene
would prove beneficial. Owing to a sud
den-but will not trouble you with a re-
cital of my personal affairs"
Mr.. Williams imagined he saw before
him young man who, by a reverse of for
tune, had been brought from affiuence to
poverty, and compelled to depend upon his
NUN pf fOTsc AID 4
ed as he was, his sympathy at once went
out toward the applicant tor situation.
II should prefer not to say ANYTHING
about my family or home," continued Mr..
Ainslee, though l assure you the former
is an honorable one, and that have never
done aught to disgrace it."
81 believe you and appreciate your feel
1ngs," said Mr.. Wilkins, his heart entire
ly conquered by the speakers candor.
81 do not expect can do much work at
first, but perhaps enough to pay my board
Eventually, think l shall prove worthy of
something more"
81 am confident you will, and 1 assure
you shall be willing to pay you all your
services deserve. So you may consider
yourself engaged, and this place your home
for the present"
81 am glad to know it, as it will save me
further search"
As the days passed, the "hired man"
made good his assertion that he thought he
would prove worthy of some compensation
above his board. He was active and in
dustriOus, striving in every way to work
for the interests of the man who had given
him emplOymentwitho any recommends
ton save his own word. Indeed, not I'M
frequently, Mr.. Williams cautioned him
about overriding, lest he become i'll. But
farm seemed to agree with him ex-
cellently: he grew robust, the pallor of his
countenance faded away, as his delicate
hands took on a suggestion of provinces
and numerous callouses,
His refinement of speech and manner
never deserted him, however, and Mrs.
Williams declared him "just splendid,-ex.
actly such person as she should wish u
son to be-" She was childless. All who
formed his acquaintance conceived an ar
dent liking for him, pitied and respected
him, too, believing as they did that he had
moved in the best society, and, forced to
renounce it by untoward circumstances,
courageously undertaken to earn his own
Livelihood.
lie was found to be an accomplished mu-
sician, and chosen organist and leader of
the choir in the one church which Campton
the town where he was stopping boasted I;
no person being more earnest to have him
serve in this dual capacity than the elderly
man who had officiated thus for many
years, and was painfully conscious Of his
lncompetency. Thence forward, this part
of the religious exercises was especially
pleasing; and the attendance upon divine
service rapidly increased, many coming to
hear the singing, who would not have come
simply for the purpose Of listening to the
pastors somewhat prosy discourses.
Naturally, as chorister, he gained the
good will of all the church members, and
was invited to the various entertainments
directly under the auspices of the "society."
His fertility in devising novel features that
would add to the interest of these gather
ings was heartily appreciated, and even
the "sewing-circle" was pronounced ''dullO
if he CHANGED to be absent therefrom.
The citizens of CamptOn decided to have
grand celebration on the Fourth Of July,
and a committee was chosen to invite Mr.
Ainsee-he had come to be regarded as
equal to any emergency-to act as orator
of the day.
81 do not feel myself competent to ac-
cept, though | thank you for the prolfered
honor" he observed, with a smile, to the
young man who waited upon him; "and,
beside, think there are pleasanterways OF
passing the day than in listening to an
Grafton. IL seems to me, patriotic play
would be novelty and interesting"
SIT certainly would, but l know of 10 one
who will take the matter in hand, unless IL
be yourself"
81 have had quite an experience in anna
teur theatricals, and shall be willing to do
all | can in the way of selecting an appro-
pirate play, and casting the characters, if
such be the wish Of your committee on
exercises"
81 can assure you it will, and that they
will thank you for your kindly assistance"
SO Mr. Ainslee-we speak of him thus
formally because the people of Campton
never addressed him as Charles, there
being about him certain dignity, entirely
free from haughtness, that restrained them
from such familiarity-sent for the neces-
sary copies Of play which he considered
suitable for the occasion, and then selected
those who should personate the different
characters.
Not from egotism, but because he was
confident that he could do it better than
any one else in Campton, he took the part