Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-04-22

Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
AMOS BARTON
BY ID. OZMOND.
CHAPTER VIII.


noon, to her son, when he came in, "there's
been man here asking for board"
"Well, mother" said Tom, II suppose
you informed him that we didn't keep
boarders."
Mrs. Morton looked troubled.
81 did tell him that" she replied, "but
somehow I hated to send him away. He
seemed terribly anxious to come. He says
he wants home; he's real lonesome, and
he's delicate looking, too. Don't you think
we might accommodate him, Tom?"
"Why, do you want him?" asked her
son, surprised. 81 thought you objected to
strangers around"
"Well, yes. But, as said before, feel
sorry for him, and he doesn't look like
person who would be apt to give much
trouble"
"Of course you must do as you have fan
CIV to, mother. It's all the same to me-"
said Tom.
"You wouldn't mind, then?"
'sNo, I.wouldn't mind"
At another time Tom would not have
agreed so easily to his mothers unexpected
proposition. But his mind just now was
so thoroughly occupied with the all-impor-
tant subject which was under his considera-
tion, that it had no room for minor details.
Mrs. Morton was not quite sure that the
man would come back, SINCE she had given
him no positive answer; but she prepared
neat little room on the sunny side of the
house, so that if he should make his appear
ance it would be all ready for him to occu-
py. And come he did, just as the supper
table was get out, and the tea-kettle hum
ming cozily over the fire.
An odd-looking man he was, with long
struggling iron-gray hair hanging over his
shoulders, and a rough beard of the same
color covering his mouth and chin; gaunt
and hollow-eyed too, as if recently from a
sick bed. Tom looked at him half curious
ly, half.pityingly, exchanged few words
with him, and then turned his attention
elsewhere. Mrs. Morton bustled around,
installed him in the easiest chair, and fur
nished him with a cup of her fragrant tea
with all possible dispatch.
"Have you decided to let me come?'' he
asked, as he took the cup from her hands.
"Why, yes, my son and [ have been
talking it over, and see no objection" said
Mrs. Morton. "I'm not used to fancy cook
ing, or anything like that, but"
''Fancy cooking! bread and milk will
suffice me-" said the stranger.
''Oh, we'll, we can give you something
better than that" rejoined the widow smil-
ing.
"Anything you have is good enough for
me; you may rest assured of that. What
want is kind friends and the comfort of feel
ing at-shcme. 7 have long been without
either" AS he spoke he drew from his
pocket check already filled in, for fifty
dollars and laid it on the table. The sig
nature was John Bland.' "That clinches
our bargain" he observed. 81 propose to
pay you the same amount monthly, pro-
vided you deem it sufficient"
"More than sufficient, sir, l am sure"
said Mrs. Morton. "I'll board you with
pleasure for twenty-five dollars and consid-
er it ample"
s'Pray let the matter rest as it is," said
Mr.. Bland, with gesture indicative of his
wish to put the subject aside; and so it was
settled.
In spite of himself, Tom Morton soon
began to feel an interest in the new board
er. Although quiet and reticent, the latter
displayed the faculty of Incorporating him
self with the household interests, while at
the same time he carefully refrained from
intruding his presence when it was not
desired. Tom was an open-hearted, friend
ly young fellow, and Mr.. Bland easily won
his confidence, so that in very few days,
much to Mrs. Morton's satisfaction and
good deal to her surprise, the two became
excellent friends.
Mr.. Bland wrote great deal in private;
indeed, that and reading were his favorite
occupations. He was in the habit of daily
making entries in certain large book,
which was not exactly journal and not
exactly notebook, but was something Of
both. Perhaps few selections from these
entries might interest the reader.
''It is strange, this life I am living, in
daily intercourse with one whom I ought
to consider my enemy. But sore as my
heart is, am not conscious of any senti-
ment of anger against him. He has never
wronged me. 1t is l, in fact, who have
injured him........"
ut is quite by chance that have found
out that episode Of his life-of both their
lives. He talks freely to me; has done so
especially of late and have learned that
he loved her from the time he was mere
boy. And the sting of it is that she return
ed his love-then. And now?"
"Well, that do not know. He does not
know either. What am I to think? How
am I to act? must never forget my
solemn VOW to consider her happiness, her
welfare alone. Yes, shall certainly keep
that vow, cost me what it may"
"Patience, oh, patience! l must watch
and wait........."
"Last night was in her garden again
my garden, as it would be, if-but I must
not think of that no, no, I must and will
keep the temptation down. But to be
within arms length of her-to see her
beautiful face so near mine, and keep silent
and hidden-oh, that is task Suppose,
some evening, as lurk there like thief
watching her, the fancy should seize me to
step out and call her name-and I should
Weld to it? What would happen, | Won
der? Would she faint, or cry out? would
she hide her eyes from the sight of me? or
would she give me welcome in that gen.
tie, subdued fashion of hers-Would she
even feel little glad to find that am alive
after all ?"
"Would to God I could find an answer to
all thisv
"........ think sometimes that | am a
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