Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15

the middle as well? Don't We know
that if We don't pay up like man, Legs
Croft's mine?'
''What?" cried Blackthorn, rising,
and then staggering back as if he had
received a heavy blow. "You come
into my doors, and say I'm to give up
the land-the land?"
I've got to say it, Tom. And what
then? Twill be all right in my hands;
it's no good in yours. Not that twill
be much gain to me, considering how
it's run to ruin. I'll have to spend all
that mortgage money over again to get
it ship-shape; but since it's for you,
Tom. and since your land runs along
with my own, I'll put up with i'll will
indeed"
"Put up with my land-you! Why
it can't be; it can't be. There's never
been when Leys Croft didn't belong to
a Blackthorn. 'Twouldn't be in the
nature of thingsr' he exclaimed, still
half bewildered from such blow, but
with a glow again in his eyes; the while
Marrish, the mortgage, sat stern and
stolid, pressing his broad-brimmed
beaver between his knees. "We've
owned and farmed Legs Croft, me and
my forebears, for hundreds of years
thousands, more like-and there isn't
one of 'em but would turn round and
curse me out of his grave. 'TwOuld be
worse than being beggar to that old
curmudgeon up in London for me to
give up the land that goes down from
father to son. l say, 'twould be like
King George giving up England to
Boney, if was to give up Legs Croft to
any but Blackthorn of the straight
line. Ny grandfather was born in this
house, like his grandfather before him,
and so was l, and so was my-my girl.
1 know every clod in the fields since I
was that high; and to be told l must
give up the land! No."
His voice was prematurely old, but it
trembled rather from a sense of supreme
outrage than from age. and, after al
most breaking down when it spoke of
the girl, it came down upon the mo"
startlingly round and full.
"Well, Tom Blackthorn," said the
creditor, you've only got to raise the
money, and Legs Croft is yours as sure
as Welstead's mine.'
"Welstead, indeed-that you bought
for money; as if money could make a
thing mans own, like mines mine. :"
I'D like to see better title than
hard cash, though said Marrish,
with something distantly akin to a
smile. The question is-can you
raise hundred pound3"
mo"
Then you must give up the land"
"Nor'
'.Then, Tom Blackthorn. you're an
obstinate old fool. And if 'twasn't
you, I'd call a man that won't take the
only way he's got to pay his good law
full debts long way worse name than
fool. Howsoever, the laws on my
side; you ride over, or walk over to
Manchester. aAd ask Lawyer Lake. and
learn for six-and-eightpence, if you We
got it, what l tell you for nothing at
all. You are an unlucky devil, Tom
Blackthorn; but that's no call why the
piper's to be paid by me-"
Yah! You've come to turn me and
my girl out of house and hOme?"
'Tll have to foreclose on Legs Croft
That was the bond"
The broken-down yeoman, whose land
was the core of his heart, gulped down
hard sob, took down his hat from a
peg and put it on, armed himself with
a tough walking-stick out of corner,
and then. from the depth of drawer,
fished up a big key. which he handed to
his creditor. Goodbye, Enoch Mar
rish," said he, without looking him in
the face. Il can't shake hands, but
He strobe towards the door.
whats this for?" asked Marrish,
tingerinag the key. Where are you of
"Of the land that isn't mine-that's s
all I'm going to fetch Patiencei and
then we'l GO"
Go! Where?"
whats that to you?'
''Of all the obstinate old fools! I've
got to foreclose yet; and if l hadn't,
there's no call to turn out as if the house
was afire-'
And do you think" said Blackthorn,
facing round and looking him full in the
face: .4'll sleep another night on the
place I've sold for mess of pottage!
I'll find the lee of haystack some
where off the land for my lass; and
but that's naught to you. If You was a
Blackthorn, you'd understand. I'll put
you to no expense nor trouble. III
carry away just my stick. and the
clothes l stand in. and the girl. She's
mine. But l won't carry off out OF
Leys Croft so much as the muck on my
boots; I'll wipe them clean by the gate
on the Four-Acre; and"
Come. Tom-if you'd only hear q
man out, instead of being such an OBJ
IT'S true / can't afford to 90 without
money or land; these war times are
cruel hard can't; butt will!'
"What?" cried Blaekthorn, facing
round again.
.Iv0. That's what l say. FL take
Pskisnce instead of both Of 'em-
there"
You'll take Patiencer' exclaimed
the poor old fellow, amazed and bewil-
dered once more.
"Ay-without a pennyy' said Mar
rish, And well he might say so, if he
meant it, for without getting his full
pennyworth Farmer Marrish, of We'll
stead, had never been known to do q
mortal thing. He had always been q
model man of business; up before the
bird, nay, even before the worm, and
early to bed, only for the sake of saving
candles in those hard times. He had
m