Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-01-06

/ SAO"4y 0r a AA1l1C ldulf OlO
blind OF one or both eyes.
Before Gervaise had time to reply
they had overtaken the old man, who,
occupied with his own thoughts, had
not noticed their approaching steps,
mufiled as they were by the soft gras:
| growing on each side of the road. StoOp.
ing down behind the old gray horse,
and giving vent 10 a truly juvenile shout
of eXultatIon, Paul Randle dealt pre-
\ tended blow across the back of the
mare in true boyish style, and then ran
of, as IL TO escape punishment from
Master Napper's whip.
"Ay, ay, ye'd best get out o. the way
or Master Napper's mare'll kick out at
yel'' exclaimed the poor old man in lu-
dicrous alarm, fully persuaded that his
mare, which in his imagination was a
NEST spirited animal, would strongly
resent this insult to her dignity. "Take
care, boys, take care" he continued,
shaking his head, and looking round IN
search OF the supposed juveniles, with
| out the slightest loss OF temper, ~ be
greatly afeared yen come too close to
| Master Napper's mare one o. these
days. Shell be sure to kick out"
Good evening, Master Napper,' -
| said Geryaise, extending his hand to-
wards the poor old man, whose simple
kindness of heart always prompted him
to consider the safety of his juvenile
tormentors. 81 hope see you well to-
day. Still busy at work l see" he con-
tinued. Offering what he knew was a
little harmless flAttery to Master Nap.
per.
"Bless my heart, Mr.. Gervaise, it
beant you, surely?" exclaimed the old
man. "Well, that be wonderful, truly.
Why, it was only minute ago was
thinking to myself that if could only
see you, Mr.. Gervaise, maybe you could
ease my mind o. something that troubles
it like just now."
Paul, who had finished his laugh at
Master Napper's expense, now came up
and, putting on grave face, joined in
the conversation.
"I am sorry to hear that anything
should have occurred to trouble you,
Master Napper, +" replied Gervaise; "tell
me how can De of service to you, and
trust me to do my best 20 oblige you. y
"Well, sir, maybe it's no great mat
ter after al, :" returned the man; shut
it's just this:-Before left my cottage
this morning. gentleman called upon
me, asking a powerful lot o. questions
about where and when l was born, and
what were my parents names. as well
as all about what had done years ago
when was young. 8 pleasant-spoken
gentleman he was, to De sure, and no
doubt great scholar by the number o.
things he seemed TO know; but for all
that, 1 feels bit troubled like, for what
could he want VII poor old Master Nap
per? be always afraid o. lawyers since
they cheated me out o. my little prop
erty ten years ago, saving your presence
though, young gentleman he added
quickly, touching his hat
ssBut why should you suppose the
gentleman 3 business TO have any coll
neculoh with law: askeu Uerydise,
scarcely abe to repress smile.
because he asked so many questions
without telling me anything, Mr.. Ger
vaise, and because 1 know a lawyer
pretty we'll by the looks o. him." was
the reply.
81 think you have little reason to
alarm yourself at present, even II he is
a lawyer said Gervaise. ''If this bus
mess is really anything concerning you,
Master Napper, should be inclined to
think it must be agreeable rather than
otherwise. At all events if you see
anything further of your mysterious
visitor, Just let me know"
Thank you Mr.. Gervaise," said the
old man Frightening up. ''If you think
it is all right, shall feel less afraid on
the subject"
by the way, Master Napper," said
GervaiSe, "where did you come from
when you first came TO Enley and set
up errand man?
why, bless ye, ! used to be Squire
Pachee'S head coachman. You know
ed Squire Pachee, didn't yea Nol" he
calculated, in surprise, as Geryaise shook
his head. why, bless my heart, he
was the greatest man in Chamley! A
terrible great mani and l lived with
him twenty year. l was his head coach
man."
did you, thought" said Gervaise,
repressing smile. "You must have
been an old and valued seryast, Mas
ter Napier. But who were your father
and mOther?-what became of tnemg"
well, Mr.. GeIvaise. to the best o.
my belief. my father was man o. fam
ily and educational least, so l have
heard my uncle say, who brought me
up; but, through some law business,
his property was kept away from him,
and he was always expecting to come In
for terrible sight o. money. At last
he married my mother, who was only
poor girl; but he didn't 90 on right, l
am sorry to say. He took up with bad
ways. such as gambling and drinking;
but my uncle, who was my mothers
brother. has often told me that he
thought It was all owing to the uncer-
tainty o. this everlasting property that
WAS in some place-what dye call 1t?
1t be where the lawyers have put IN
such a sight o. money. and never lets
it come out again."
"Was it Cbancery?" asked Gervalse.
''Ah, think that's it, sirl' exclaim-
ed the old man. ''See what 1t IS to be
a scholar Mr.. Gervaise.
So you cannot recollect your father,
Master Napper?" said Gervalse, bring
ing the old mans scattered thoughts
back once more to the subject.
:'No. Mr.. Gervaise," he replied; "he
died, ard nv mother too, when L was a
wear or so old, and then l went TO live
wiz my uncle, who brought me up to
farm work, and arter that l went to
live VII Squire Pachee."
Their paths diverging, the young
men parted company with Master Nap
per. the old man taking an affectionate
leave of Gervaise.
"Something has troubled you, Alice,
am certain of it, said Gervaise,
few days after making known to her
his intentions of going to London. Are
YOU grieved at the idea of my leaving
Enley? Cheer up, my love; few years
will quickly pass away; and we snail
reap the reward of'our present self-de-
nal.
mo, Gervaise, it is not that which
has troubled me-" replied Alice. Il
feel that in going to London to seek
-. for+,no vou act RIGHT: and though