San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-01-21
OUR STORY COLUMN.
IN TINE.


He found one light burning at lower
window. Presently, after waiting, he raped
again, and finally the light disappeared, and
another decrepit bent man, presented hm-
self at the door, and, on being asked for o
nights lodging, which would be paid for, he
hesitated, but finally begged the man to
come In.
They went to kitchen where Pickering
fire of wood glowed and deadened altern-
ately,
Tho reason hesitated SIR" began tho
thin looking host, twas because 1 am so
poor that cannot afford you oven mouth
ful to eat"
The other looked at him and then about
the apartment.
"You see, sir" resumed the same speaker.
''that little remains here. All has been sold
TO meet various bills AZ they became due,
and there is no room in the house which has
even 30 much rs a silver Of furniture in it."
"And soy you are very poor?" asked the
other. Haven't you an egg or o bit Of
bread-not enough for meal. but enough
to stay ones stomach?"
II am extremely sorry tosay have neith-
or. had oil there was for my supper, and
tomorrow / must sell my waistcoat for my
breakfast am waiting to die, but l am
afraid that am too strong to go yet awhile.
Sit down, sir, by the fire, such as 1t il;
regret not to have more wood"
"Tell me-" interrupted the stranger, alb
ruptly, show came you in this state?"
''It was commenced by my poor littlo
wrong headed daughter, and is nearly ended
by the pride and foolish hope of her weak
headed father-thats me-" -
Well, sir" said the visitor, ''well, sirP"
'She became engaged to worthless fell
low about here in the town. one who loved
her well enough, no doubt, but who could
never support her. They were married
ah, il was an evil dayl And on 1t her uncle
died. She was alone in the room when he
passed away and he told her where the will
was hidden. She found it--read it.
'It gave her nothing-but me, almost oil;
for he had quarrelled with his son and turn
ed him out Of doors. All, how well l re-
member when she came in at that door yon-
der rs white as a sheet with rage and wav-
ing that great sheet of paper over her head.
She declared that l, who had forbidden her
marriage with this low fellow, should have
to live and work; that she would hide the
will and let the property all 60 to the heirs
of her uncle. tried to stop her. but she
fed into the storm and snow oil about the
barns, and lodged me till was faint and
weary, and when crept to the kitchen, then
SO warm and comfortable, she was gone
forever, forever---and l have never seen her
sinoe."
"Not heard from herr" asked the stran-
ger.
Eyes, thank heaven, there was story
came that the man was kind to her and
worked hard for her; but then another story
came soon after that she fell sick and died in
some strange land. Poor, dear little girl
poor, dear little girl, hope you are with
your good mother, and that may be with
you both in good time"
"And have you forgiven her2" asked tho
man, thoughtfully.
.'Ay, yes, o thousand times. I have no
heart to harbor hate, or distrust, or revenge.
May she be forgiven as quick as forgave,
and she need have no fear"
.sAnd you have had hard times?" pur-
sued the man, with much curiosity.
ayes, for I've been SO proud. / would
never let them do hands turn for me,
though they've tried to very often. 1 mort
gagged the old house, all my acras have
gone, one by one, and so have my cattlo and
stock; yes, and all my tools, / never work.
cd with them, for WAS always hoping that
she might send and tell me where / could
ind the paper, and 80 relieve me at stroke,
and then, besides that, 1 am SO old and
feeble--so very, very weak and miserable
$50 you've got low down, then, pretty
near the bottom2" IL
II am down. haint had over enough to ,
eat to-day, and they take away my only
shelter tomorrow and then I'll have neith-
or field, nor roof. nor food, nor friend. All,
I wish might die"
"Hushl hushl Don't speak that way"
said the other, and then the stranger slowly
inserted his hand into an inner pocket and
piece Of paper. The ether
yazed at the paper in silence. -
"Here," said the man, quietly placing :
finger on aparticular spot, -'here is the
kitchen, I suppose-then that door beyond
leads TO the buttery, eh2" g.
The other looked at him in astonishment,
but he continued moving his rough hand
over the paper unconcernedly,
.From there you go TO. o woodshed, and
from thsro into another open shed that
looks upon the stable yard. eh?''
The host nodded blankly, all the while .
peering into the mans face, but apparently
ieeing nothing but n rough visage. = - =
Suppose We take the candle and go and
ook at this outer wood shed"
They arose and stepped through the
reoms. In the shed the man bade the 9TH
or.hold the light, and then again studied the
paper.
"Find an iron hasp on the right of the
ioor, as high up as your shoulder, and then
feel behind it,. ~
The man hunted; he found the irou with
m exclamation Of pleasure, while the
breath Of the other began 70 move quick
and short.
'sThen," he read, "feel behind Il and
Your hand will slip into a. disused water
gutter, and after you have found IL kisk IL
% pieces and may God forgive me for
what I have done"
''who ere you, sir1" CAPPED the host.
seizing his arm
al. returned the other. Il am your
daughters husband, and have cone al this
ate hour 20 see you right
With that be fell upon the slight wood
work. and in the midst Of cloud of dusf
arid chips tore q 20 pieces aud stooping.
picked up moldy, tightly twisted pies Of
paper. which. on being unfoldsd, proved 10
be all thoy wished
They rs-ehtssed the houss, one fh.ukful
md happy At the end Of his tro1biss ana
The other also happy Al his ccnpleted task
They always hyed togsther.. tie two men.
md thsy stocked the old farm and rsfur-
nishsd az the old uoou and cornsfa of fhs
Md drank before TIE cd brovnish pictus
of . fsrcs-Bouthsd giri. a1d both raftsd
many Kisses 70 hsr and ahsd many ts.rs N
sserst 10 her nsnory.-fE. T. Dzily EsrE