The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-03-31


Not an inch OF land.
Caroline thought rapidly. Then
since YOU know the law, she is entitled
to pension money. Everybody knows
NV father lost his health in the army. ="
did he ever apply for q pension?'
He was too independent to do that, :"
said Mrs. Paine, wearliy.
..Well. if there never was anything
done about it, it is too late now. Is his
doctor living?'
s.Dr. Hamilton is dead-hc was our
physician for twenty years.
NO case" said Brooks.
''Is there no way-no hope in any di-
rection?"
Brooks pondered. 1t was disagree
able, but the truth was best in this case.
Il don't see glimmer of hope. Miss
Paine-only disappointment. If Your
father had been wounded-lost an arm
or leg-but, you see, dying SO long after
the war-making no sign-doctorS dead
its case debarred, rs might say"
Caroline's brows contracted involun-
tarily. She looked 1T Brooks steadily,
revolving new thoughts in her mind.
If a man lost an arm, and is in good
health and can clerk just as well as ever
he could"
Brooks anticipated her. IF he has
an income of ten thousand year. and
only had his big toe hurt, he gets apen-
sion. l know people who draw pensions
for less. =
but a man whose health was bro
ken-who couldn't show any wound
and"
Precisely, Miss Paine. a complica-
ton of diseases carries 8 man on. 1t
don't matter if he went into the army
as healthy as any man who never had a
pain or ache, or never was in bed day
in his life-if the doctors were sure the
service ruined his health, there's lots OF
cases where its hard to prove lt-they
don't prove it in such cases, as rule. II
there was any doctor who could swear
to the facts"
Mrs. Paine and her daughter shook
their heads slowly.
Thank YOU, Mr.. Brooks"
How Brooks managed to get out OF
the room he never knew himself. 1he
picture the mother and daughter pre-
scnted ut that moment was stamped on
his memory forever. He thought so
much about them that, instead of going
to the theatre, he went to a cigar store
where he was in the habit of meeting
some friends, and, in q very discreet
manner, set about collecting q little
money '.for very worthy object"
The next day, at noon, tap sounded
on Paine's door, Caroline opened it on
the instant, and, seeing Mr.. Brooks,
blushed. He spoke quickly, as if he
had great press of business on hand
Miss Paine, . few friends-of your
fathers, 1 mean-they knew him very
well, sent me with this and their com
pliments." :"
Here he broke down. Caroline's eyes
seemed to read his very soul. Brook:
wanted to back out. Instead he ad
RANGED quickly to small t,-ble, where
Mrs. Paine was seated, deposited bank
note on the table, and, bowling to Caro-
line, withdrew so quickly she had no
time to intercept the movement
Mrs. Paine turned to look after him
Her elbow swept the bank note of the
table. The draught caused by thu
quickly closed door Brooks pulled te
after him swept the note under the oper
crate. Caroline sprang forward with
snothered CRY. She was not a momen
too quick. 4 live coal ignited the note
She had the presence of mind to crlSt
it in her hand. at the risk of a broae
blister. When she opened her hane
slowly, one-half the note had disap
peared. The half in her hand showed
that it had been tcr-dollar note. Sh'
burst into tears. 1t seemed as if mis-
fortunes would never end.
What is it. Caroline9''
He gave us ten dollars, and it i
lost.
She wept paSsionately.
1T would have paid what we owe il
the store. months rent, and left u
two dollars.
'.Burned-Jurned. Caroline?"
There was = world of anxiety, O
dread. in Mrs. P;ine's voice. Carolin
extended her burned palm, on whicI
lav the half OF the note.
1T is not all lost. / read of ways t
get money made right, I'm sure, some
where. You can get fee for it, ma
be-"
Yes; but that would just pay tn
store bill. And then what could we do
But we'll see.
She dried her eyes bravely, laid tn
burned note carefully away, and re
solved to make the most of it the mex
morning.
She was dressed. and on her way t
the office of the Customs of the Port,
whittier she had been directed, long be
fore the office was opened. After walk
inc an hour on the street, she returned
to be told that it was 4 legal holiday
so no business would be done that day
As she turned away, she stumbled upo
MIR. Brooks. Would she tell him9 Nc
for herself-but her mother.
In ten words Brooks had the story
He expressed regret. reflected, bid he
wait at 4 drug store. and fastened to :"
friend" he said. He was absent tiflee
or twenty minutes. When he returned
he handed her crisp s. note. talke
about the weather; everything br
money, got the burned note, and bad
her good-dav in his brisk way.
Caroline returned ;:onc. calling at
grocer'S on the way, and purchasing
few necessiticS.-cnoush 10 keep bod
and soul together l:tt';, longer. A.
from that hour their fortunes improved
somehow work came to her, and
physician kindly interested himself /
Mrs. Paine's case. to I degree that II
stored her health. Nv story has Il