The Somerset reporter., 1886-03-24

nd When der pung> COON pY mine hnn9e
shust pccks droo der plind,
Ind sings oudt, Zoo id, Yawcob Strauss,
Cut, cut. cut, cut pchind,n
-Ha,fey', .KiedsiRs.
SELECTED.
FOR LOVES SAKE.
! When John Jackson returned after {
three wears absence. to Wycland, he fount
| that both his ancient home and himself
had undergone mote changes than he knew
The place struck upon him with strange
aspect. and had no answering welcome to
give that which he extended to it, There
were new names above the loW-broWed
doors in the Struggling High street, and
new faces beneath them. The deep peace
of the once tranquil fields which ringcd
the little town was troubled by the incur
sions of navigator and collier. Conf hHa
been found upon the Heath estate iuH
blackcncd pit-framcs and heaps II AH
slightly refuse made hidcous the heart ii
rural solitude The purling brook ID
which he had bathcd a. a lad wa nov ar
evil smelling sewer. Many of his oil ac
quaintanccs, at the sight of whom hiN
hear. leaped. failed to recognize him, and
were painfully Indifferent in their greet
/ ings when his identity WAS recalled To
their minds His old Sweethearts were all
either married or engaged, and oppressed
by the dignity of present or coming ma
tronhood, would tiirt no more. Some were
even dead All these things Saddened him,
and the happy boyhood of three short
wears AGO seemed to be centuries away.
Il really do feel drcadfully old, he said
to his cousin Amy, as they sat together in
the dusk. quite patriarchal. must have
known Adam and Noah, and been Il per-
sonal friend of Abraham, only I've forgot
ten all about them. Everything tcre is
so altered: both place and people seem
changed completely As ! remember my
self three years age, | was rather Il fav-
orte here. and now nobody seems to re-
member or to take any interest III me. |
suppose it is stupid, though natural, to
expect to find things as you left them
And do you find me changcd:' asked
Amy.
More than anybody or anything else. "
Not disagrecably, | hopet
Not olisagrccably at all. quite the
contrary. You were II girl when | left
you, and now you are Woman-and II
very pretty woman, 700, Amy
All" said the girl, with laugh and Il
half sigh, gym are not changed, | see
Il am afraid | am, though answered
John. The three Years that have made
IL woman of you have made man of me
One is man at three and twenty, ! sup
pose?'
Il suppose so, said Amy, with another
sigh. All. the dear old days We shall
never see them again, Jack.
I'VE may see happier Amy, though
they will be spent apart
He could not see the panied look upon
his companions face, rs size looked tow
ards him through the gathering dusk, and,
in his distraction, did not notice her
quickcned breathing.
why shonld they be spent apart She
asked presently. Gould not your work
quite as well. Perhaps better.
Then why not stay . Jack. don't re
fuse. The house and the farm are my
own. now uncle has gone. You know how
welcome Won are | have more than | can
ever want. Mr.. Sampson says the last
years income was over six hundred What
can do with all that Stay here, Jack,
and let us revive old times,
No, Amy. Don't think me proud or
ungrateful. But must not be Il pension
err even on your bounty, and that is what
it would be-
Jack !" said the girl, in panied tone.
That is what it would be, Amy; there
is no other word for it,. No; | must 90
back to London and work. | can see my
WAY to bread and cheese now, and shall
get something better, | hope, in little
time
The girl rose from her seat, and paced
the room.
Jack" she broke out passionately, Il
cannot bear ii. When | think of You toll
ne and shaving for bare life in London
while live in comfort here, and every
crust eat and every thread wear bought
by money that should have been yours.
feel as if should 20 mad with shame and
anger 1t is shameful. What right had
your father To bcg%ar you to make me
rich? | cant live here, and wont. I'll
20 away and wo X a. You do
you are far too sensible, Amy. | am
sure, to do anything 50 ridiculous And
whatever may have been my fathers feel
ings regarding me- | believe he did the
best thing possible in leaving the farm tn
YOU. Nothing but poverty would ever
have made me work. | am of some use in
the world rs it is, and shall be more some
day"
The girl returned to her seat, and was
silent for some little time Then she ask
ed:
Tell me your plans, and your life in
London
There is not much to tell. My plans
are simply to go on working till can get
comfortable living for myself My life
is happy enough. | have ut least learned
the great secret, that the man who works
is happier than the man who doesn't.
like my work, and think shall succeed in
it."
"Wbnt do Won mean by .succced?"