The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1886-09-07

| Eatner says nell not have me wed
thee If thou dOst not mend thy ways
and leave, going with them poaching
fellows. What dost thou want with
them? Thou never used to heed such
like.''
's'Tis inaught tof fret about, lass !;
they're none so bad as thy father thinks,
I'm get shut on lem when we're wed.''
What art thou doing with q gun ?'
asked him.
Nay, lass, thou art getting too curl
GUS. May be I'm going shooting filter
mice" he says, laughing.
"Thou'ltlbreak my heart, Tom,n I
says. "What with mother, nigh to
death, and fathef Iahsered With thee,
and thou going on this gait"
"I'm sorry thy mother is no better,
Eunice, I" he says; "bGt' dis for the rest,
there's naught to fret about. I'll come
and see thee tomorrow"
And he went off smiling and waving
his hand as he turned down by .the
copse. Then the eorncrake begin agSin;
croak, croak. .Sall round 9the tmead6w,
and sat and watched mother with Il
heavy heart till the stars came out, and
a young moon lying on her back, which
! was an i'll sign, for you know the say
ing:
When the moons like boat,
/. There is trouble anoat. - Is, ;,
But 1 hoped it might not be for me.
The corncrake had gone and there was
naught to be heard save the rustling o.
thes grass and trees The wind had
turned u little chill, so closed the lat
tice and lay me down by mother a
while. l had been asleep some time,
for the moon was low in the sky and
the dawn breaking when awol1e with
hearing a ,trampling o. feet coming down
the lane I listened, and the strampling
came nearer and sounded heavy-lile, as
If they were carrying something. 1t
stopped at the gate, and then I heard
the click o. the latch. Mothers room
was at the back, so it was no use look
ing out o. the lattice. L was creeping
softly down stairs when mother awoke
and asked if father had come III.
!" think he's coming now mother"
Isaid. "I'll fetch thee a cup O. tea, rand
I went down and opened the door, and
there stood one o. the keepers, William
Balshaw, as married my cousin Anne.
"Where's father ?'' said, trying to
look past him. {. I @iIHiIGtft,
"See now, Eunice," he says, "thou
nun keep a bravo heart, lass. How is
thy mother ?n ia ayglt
"She's no better, and asking for faith
er."
Swell, thou nun put her off. I've
i'll news for thee, poor lass; thy mother
must know naught Of it. There's been
a bit O. fight with them northern chaps,
an'-an' we've browt thy father home. !"
My heart seemed to. turn to stone.
Is father killed NN asked, "Thou
may as well tell me, Villiam,''
"Aye, that is so, Pm main sorry
for thee, Eunice. I'll tell 'em to bring
him in and lay him on tho settle here,
and I'll send Anne round to thee.''
With that they carried father in and
laid him on the settles He was. very
peaceful-like to look at William said
ile nag peeil siloI III tle chest, ana dled
quite quleo anu easy. but all the Whlie NE
! seeillea 70 snow enele was more 10
'e"'f.-ftSe' 'f7 ana worse, lor Wnen l was
seoopng over iather, one or the men me =
SAD something to William that didn't
iighCly catcll, ana " imam says pack TO
nm, speaking low, Nay' there's no
caii 70 say more JUST now, poor lass !;
lV,ll 90 py-allp-2y,N WIN ithat5 Siley
went away, ana took mother her tea,