The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-03-25


can do for you."
Dick hung his head and again turned
sullen.
NO." said he; 81 suppose you want
me to 90 and get killed. No such luck
for you, nor for me. I'm going to see
Patience. She won't want me to be
killed. She is a good girl; and there
may be one good horse somewhere, as
we'll"
"You shall do what's right-there.
I'll go back with you to Manchester.
Who ought one to see about your dis
charge? They won't want to keep, 1
suppose, respectable yeoman's only
son, that enlisted out of some stupid
folly, and wants to be free, and can pay
to be free"
"What's the goodP If fathers got
no money"
II have, then--I can get it, any way.
Think of your father, your sister; think
of right and manhood, and come with
me-"
"There. That's just my luck all round,
again! It's too late, now."
TOO late! Wen see about that. It's
never too late 10 try"
at is, though. I've discharged my
self. That's what I've done"
Discharged yourselfP What do you
meang"
Taken French leave"
"And what"
I'm deserter. That's what am"
"You wretched foolr'
Stephen could no more help speaking
out his anger than he could help feel
ing it-thiS, Patience's brother Dick,
this irredeemable scamp, if not worse
than a scamp, as he seemed to be. What
was to be donep Anything, anything
rather than that Farmer Blackthorns )
reviving self-respect should receive the
fatal blow of learning that his son was
unworthy even of the living of common
soldier; the proud old man would walk
straight into his grave. Anything
rather than that Patience's stubborn
faith in her brother should be shattered
in so sudden way. Anything rather
than that Dick the Deserter should
crawl for hiding into the Legs Crofts
lofts and barns.
"You think that, do you ?" asked
Dick. "You try soldering yourself,
and see which is the fool-the fellow
that chucks il over or the fellow that
stays. / don't know why l listed, but
l know well enough why ] took to my
heels. I'm going to get Patience to
put me behind truss of hay till the
coasts clear, and then hey for the gyp-
sizes! that's the best thing I've tried"
"Nor cried Stephen, in a voice
which, though young, had spice of
thunder. mo Jobs too bad to mend.
Would you 60 crying to girl who still
honors you, TO hide a coward and n
fool? / don't mind what | call you
you know as well us | do that you've
earned the names. must let myself
out somehow; want to help you, bat
can't bring myself TO do it unless |
first let out my mind. OF with that
scarlet rag; it's rubbish, but you're no
right to il. There; nobody will look
for it in these bushes. Take my coat
and hat; we're much of size. Walk
straight on 10 Longnett, and wait for
me at the Half Moon. No-not like
that; button the coat well over your
shirt; there-you'll II pass for a lawyers
clerk or anything you please. Or You can
be Mr.. Harlow's clerk from MIllport
I'll get home as / am; I'm often at
work in my shirt-sleeyes, so it won't
matter If I'm seen going indoors. III
dress and come to yon at the Half
Moon; and then we'll see what's 10 be
done. You can put up there for to-
night; and you shall be my clerk in
earnest II you'll give yourself just one
more chance of being a-man."
"A man, 1t was singular to see the
change that came over Dick Black
thorns face with the change Of clothes
which, by exceptional good fortune,
fitted him as though they had been
made for him. He no longer veered be-
tween a slouch and a swagger; he even
laughed lightly, as no peered over the
bank to catch glimpse Of his reflection
in the pool "a mani" repeated he.
"Why, I'm half that already, Harlow;
it's the first time I've known the feel Of
decent broadcloth for a couple Of years.
The gypsies, indeed-no gypsies for me,
IL you please. The truth is, Harlow,
I've been thinking seriously Of late;
and I've come TO the conclusion that,
after all said and done, respectability's
the thing. Who'd ever have thought,
old cock, TO look at me and you now,
that your the right side Of the hedge
and I'm the wrong? What do girls and
horses count, so long rs there's tailor
to get one straight again? | should like
n sight Of Patience again, poor lass; I've
half q mind TO drop In on her and make
her scream, for fun, on my way TO the
Half Moon. No-all right, old chap
you needn't look so queer. A bargain
bargain, and nobody burst say Dick
Blackihorn isn't man OF his word.
Down to-day and up to-morrow-thatt
the game Hey for the Half Moon and
a fig for King George! Ay, come ovor
to the Half Moon; many's the iorum
I've had there in the old days, and
we'll have another tonight, you and l.
I'll stand treat II you'll lend me the
price Of bowl till ] pay you again.
Oh, III be a mani III 90 ahead and
redeem the past, and eat the fatted calf
and be goOd--so good that the OLE
mans hairs shall turn brown again fol
fun"
Whether Dicks sullen desperation Of
his sudden burst into high spirits wa!
the worse to behold, Stephen could moi
| IA I... Nh. fall. H,I -.