The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-03-20
SELECT STORY.
INGRATITUDB REvENGBD.

The two old men were sitting upon
wooden seats, which were placed on
either side of the rustic porch, that
formed kind of arbor entrance to the
front door of the dwelling
The speaker was spare, little man,
with dark hair, thinly sprinkled with
gray. He wore a swallow tail coat,
adorned with brass buttons corduroy
breeches, fastened at the knee thick,
blue, worsted stockings encased his
legs, and pair Of low shoes covered
bis feet. His visage had placid ex-
precision, as he glanced first at the
well-kept garden, with its rows of po-
'atoes and other vegetables then out
to the little paddock adjoining, where
two COWS were grazing; aud next over
the wide, undulaling meadow land be
yond, his eyes resting finally on the far
distant hills. He put the end of bis
long clay pipe between bis lips, and
watched the wreaths OF smoke slowly
ascending from it.
Mr.. johnson was a noble. looking
man his snowy hair and long, white
beard gave him patriarchal appear
ance. His countenance lacked that
acute, intellectual expression which is
so often stamped upon the visage of
middle-aged "town man His eyes
were thoughtful, but gentle; his whole
bearing spoke of innate goodness. The
few wrinkles, which had gathered on
the white, placid brow, had been grad
ually traced there by times relentless
fingers, and not suddenly cut by keen
sharp sorrow. He spoke silently for
few moments, and then replied to his
friends remark
you're right this is a neat little
spot. But Ill tell you what I've been
a ,hinkin' on, Hayes. You know my
Jennie's agoin to be married to r R,berl
Meadows. She's my only child, so OF
course she'll have all my belongings
wher I'm gone but I've been a-think
in, that, soon after she's settled, III
have deed of gift drawn up, aud turn
everything over to her then therell
be no proving the will, and all that
fuss and the lawyers won't have
pickin' out o my bit O property. l
shall live here, and be master just the
same. What do you say to that, friend
Hayes!"
The old man put hand on each
knee, and gazed into the others face,
with an expression which said, "Don't
you think it's very brilliant idea?'
His friend took the pipe ont of his
mouth, and shook his head obviously :;
then replaced it between his lips, and
gazed fxedly before him for an instant
ere he answered then he said, slowly
and emphatically:
81 don't like it,.
He shook the ashes from his pipe
and began leisurely to fill it again with
tobacco.
81 never seed play but once" he
began, in slow, measured tones, "and
that was many years ago, when l was
young man, l was in London, and
my friends got me to go to the theatre
to see grand piece that had been
made up by great man hundreds of
years ago. Well, | went, and the
sight o the lights, the gay dresses, and
the flash folks, l shall never forget.
But it was the play that struck me.
There was good old king who had
three daughters, and he thought he'd
divide the kingdom amongst em. They
was very pleased the eldest went
down on her knees and swore how she
loved him more than any body else
and said as how he was the kindest,
noblest, and best father that ever lived
or words summat like them. The
next said about the same, only great
deal more but thought both on 'em
looked too big and handsome and wide
awake to stick to their word. The
third daughter said very little but
thought she was the incest looking of
all the lot. The king was huffed be-
cause she would not own she loved
him. So he divided the kingdom be-
tween his two eldest daughters. |
thought he was silly old fellow to
put the reins into them spirited-looking
creatures hands. But he did it, and he
rued it. They treated him very well
at first ; but after time they began
to alter, and let him know that he
wasn't master. Well, one night they
turned him out of the castle, when
there was sach dreadful storm that it
was not fit to turn dog out and he
who had once been aklng, had to roam
about like beggar. The poor man
went nearly crazed. | almost forgot
how it ended but think they was all
killed at last
Sand what has this to do with what
| was saying?' p inquired Mr. johnson,
testify. 81 was talking about deeds of
gift, and not plays"
The other began to smoke-puff-
puff. After q few minutes the full
meaning of his friends words dawned
slowly upon his mind.
"Well, / was athnking as how,
when Jane got possession of the house,
she might, maybe, after bit, turn you
out, as the kings daughters turned him
out Keep the reins in your own hands
man--you can draw them tight, or let
them loose, when you please but don't
give them up till you die. That's my
advice, friend Johnson
There was little flash of anger in
the others eyes as he replied
"You don't know my Jennie she's
the loveliest, best, and truest girl that
ever lived. She would never wrong her
father"
In the meantime Jennie and her low
er were in the orchard, at the back of
the house, slowly walking up and down
the path between the trees.
The moon was Frightening in the
purpllng sky, and the evening star
glimmered family
"When two more days have passed,
you will be my wife!'
The young man looked down loving
lv into the shy, dark eyes raised to his,
and clasped the hand that rested on |
his arm. |
81 am so glad, Robert, that shall
not have to leave my home,' she said,
after pause ''for | was born here,
AMI here my mother died 1t was very
kind of father to propose that we should