The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-03-31
A SOLDIERS TRUST.
BY DAVID LOWRY.

''How wo will live Heaven only
knows! All is dark now"
Mrs. Paine sat down suddenly and
lifted hand to her eyes. Her daugh-
ter. Caroline, bright. pretty girl OF
seventeen, noted among her associates
for her energy and resolution, caught
her breath suddenly. She was going to
cry, but resolved not to yield now when
her mother was overcome with dread of
the future.
The world had been the average
world to Ellen Paine She had enjoyed
Its sweets till the war came and robbed
her of her husband for wears. There
were some jolts in lifc's Journey when
he camo home. He was not rs strong
rs when he went away-lost time, and
of choice changed his vocation. Still
content swcetencd tho things the gods
provided the Paincs through sickness
and idleness; the increasing family and
growing responsibilities all were ac-
cepted cheorfully till ono day the sun
seemed to drop out of the iirmamcnt.
Andrew Paine was brought home un-
conscious, n terrible accident had hap
pencd; in twenty-four hours Mrs PANE
was n widow.
Time moved on. Providence raised a
friend to her in her brother-in-law, who
found work for his nephew, and thus
kept tho roof over Mrs. Paine's head.
But death claimed the son, and then
the burden began to fall on Caroline.
The mother strovo to tighten ito mako
the girls life as joyous rs she could. 1t
was dull life at best; tho grind began
when she fell i'll with rheumatism. The
future looked lark, but the uncle still
turned tho cloud aside until the silver
lining shone again.
Suddenly trade stopped. Then it
really seemed rs il all the world stop
ped, so far rs Mrs. Paine and her daugh-
ter werc concerned. The establishment
where Caroline worked ceased opera
tions unexpectedly. Mrs. Paine was
Would they ever, even il work offered
again. be able TO catch up-to repay
what they owed? These were queries
mother and daughter asked themselves
an hundred times.
Before tho question was answered.
fate-romorsecss fatc--swcpt away their
last hope. The uncle. Arthur Paine,
WAS summoned to his final account
with more swiftncss than his brother.
The two womcn-ono suffering, in
broken health; the other hungcrng for
joys she saw herself forever shut out of
looked at each other fearfully. They
did not dare TO breathe their fears. The
mothers heart achod for her child, the
daughtcv's for her mother
hut the world wringS answers from
all. The day cainn when the mother
and daughter had TO speak plainly, and
when it came, il found the mother as
d babe.
Mother. there may bc way" said
Caroline Paine, hopefully. Mrs. Paine
shook her head, still keeping her eyes
covered.
"Tm Snrc mothcr-wait until Mr..
Brooks comes home. Then | will tell
you what 1mcan."
Mr.. Brooks was we'll up in years AN
old bachelor who roomcd on the Same
floor with the Paincs. lIo was IL clerk,
with varied experience. TO Caroline
he was n walking encyclopedia. An
hour later, Mr.. Brooks, in response to
Carolinc's request. stepped noisclessly
into the room the Pancs occupied.
"Mr. Brooks said Caroline, briskly,
III want 10 ask you about soldiers
claims. You know what soldiers are
entitled to?"
III ought to. was chief clerk for q
claim agent eight years, and five years
in the Pension Oilicc here" Mr.. Brooks
wasted no words. He sat down, look
ing inquiringly at the earnest face be-
foro him.
Then you can help us, Mr. Brooks.
want you to sell the land my father
or my mother Is entitled to- Father
never sold it. did he. motherP"
Mrs. Paine looked bewildcred. "What
landP"
why, the 100 acres used to hear
father say was lying ont West waiting
for him"
"O!" said Mr. Brooks. that's all n"
here he checked himself. The girls
face fell. Why not soften the disap-
pointment. you sec-there really
never was anything in that. l mean"
"You don't mean father sold his
claimp"
Mr. Brooks couldn't invent lie, or
he would have done it. He blurtcd out
the truths "I'vc no doubt your father
thought he was entitled to the land"
"Why, Mr.. Brooks, I've heard him
say, time and again, tho Government
owed him the land; that hc would sell
his claim when the time came If he ever
was---was, rs zoe are now-hard press
ed"
II remember now; so he did," said
Mrs Paino. Caroline Is right" Mrs.
Paine spoke cheerfully.
.'The truth is tho Government never
really promised tho land"
''Why, MFR. Brooks, I've heard Of sol
diers selling their land warrants" said
Caroline.
$50 they did, Miss; that's just where
the mistake was made. You see, before
the civil war. the Government gave
Boldiers land warrants; tho volunteers
were led 70 believe they'd getthe same. !"
.sYes, and pay la gold,n said Mrs.
Paine