Wichita eagle., 1888-11-01
rough by nature.

| We were happy II our new home, and every
| little Improvement about the place was
pleasure, though it did cost money and labor
I But after 4 few months we learned that ON
place was appreciated by Others as well q
| ourselves
One day stranger called and inquired for
ne. After speaking Of tbs weather and the
pleasant view he said hsd "hke TO look
around the place if | bad no objections"
was perfectly willing end accoE panied him.
/ His appearance was not progressing; his
dress was rather shabby and his eyes were
+ everywhere except on my face; but, In spite
/ OF their watchfulness, he had come Lear
/ walking too close TO the kennel Ia which
/ Bone, gigantic and much admired English
+ lnastif5, spent his days, fastened by e stout
chain The dog seemed to dislike has looks
even more than |, and could hardly be ap-
peased
Finally, in an embarrassed sort of wayne
had evidently been trying 70 work up TO the
subject gracefully, but faised-ny caller said
he'd heard that my place was for sale
l assured hirl that Was a nistaLe, where
upon he said that he'd thought likely; but
he took sort OF notion TO the place and
thought il it cd De bought reasonable he'd
! like to own u.
My vanity, Of cou-se was touched at hav-
ing my choice approved while, ct tie same
time, vision % the profits 81 building and
selling arose before ne
l said | would sell If ] go: a sufficient
price, and at MS reguess named q good,
round SUM- He shrugged his shoulders and
said he couldn't pay any such money, but he
thought he wouldn't mind giving a certain
sum which he named, AID which was about
half what the house had cost me.
told him abruptly that l didn't care to
sell, and endeavored to close the converse
ton by moving toward the house.
If you should ever change your mind
you'll remember ne, perhaps said ne, and
handed me an old envelope with his name
on it.
/ babe him Good day and was about
throwing the envelope away when the name
struck me as familiar. "Ephraizn Jorton :"
for monsns l couldn't recall where had
seen it, but soon remembered that it was the
name Of the grantor in that old deed, and
that had deciphered the family name on
some Of the Inoss grown headstoaes IN the
grave yard
In vain | tried 10 convince myself that it
was only coincidence; that my Jortou fam
liz must be scattered and dead had to give
myself ND to detection.
Il Is thus that the clouds OF trouble ron
over our heads We no sooner recover from
one shadow and begin TO bask in the sunshine
CT happiness, than another takes its place.
That night. as the church clock doomed out
IN hour when l ought to have been asleep, it
seemed TO sound only refrain 20 the words:
TO them and their heirs forever
As some victim Of involuntary visils has
courted IL: Sorrow endu-sta for Joy, but
night cometh in the morning"
SO the next morning | arose, determined
to drop tie whole subject from my mind,
and I succeeded in SO far that | never men,
toned the graveyard, nor even looked that
way, If l could help 1t.
l told Maria Of toe strangers foolish er-
rand, b.5 had said nothing OF the similarity
Of names, for reasons already hin5ed at.
There is enough actual trouble IN the world
for every one without giving them occasion 70
borrow what really doesn't exist.
Months went BY, happy months for Us.
Everythi2 iour.shed about the place; the
garden, tae young trees and vines that l had
planted. all grew as plants never grew before
On a new place.
One bright Sunday in November, as va
were sitting ct lunch, Maria was renarking
Peasively on the many blessings we were en-
I0viug. and tshe is Of rather devout turn Of
mind IVES saying that we had good reason for
keeping Thanksgiving day this year if never
before.
From where she sat she could lock out of
that lovely window toward the village ard
zee c-urch, and ut tais point she called my
attention 10 q peculiar group in the street
They had stopped in front OF the adjoining
lot, vacant lot owned by Ar. Van Grinder,
and seemed hesiSating tor moment what
10 90.
There was very ordinary, raw boned team
OF horses attached 10 a heavy farm wagon,
empty or nearly 50. On the driver's seat was
"a good natured looking IrishElan, and beside
him w,-S quite an old man, wLonl remember
10 have seen hanging about the saloons; one
of those blear eyed old repFobatas who make
us resigned TO gbut incredulous % the deadly
effects OF drink
Behind the wagon walked a young petti-
Jogging lawyer Of the place, whom l just
knew by sight, and with him was 8 man
whose face l could see distinctly, bus whose
figure was dIfuly associated IN my mind with
something unpIeasant-I couldn't recall
what.
The horses were turned up on the sidewalk
and their discouraged heads hung over the
rIckety fence that separated Mr.. Van Grind
er's lot from the street The old man climbed
down from the seat and seemed 20 be point
Ing the way fo- them 70 nova Strangely
enough his unsteady finger appeared 70 aim
directly toward our house,
The stranger now turned that had
good Wow OF his coUDtecance, wien at once
/ knew him; It was EpCraIm Jorton- cold
chin ran down nv back as glanced again az
tie empty wagon and saw Jhat it was not
empty. II contained long pine box that
reached slightly a.ove the sides OF the wagon,
and my worst fears were reaiised-alunst;
for l Sill he'd reason 20 be thankful that IL
was Van Grinders lot and Lot mine that they
seemed SbouE to enter.
At a word from the lawyer the old man
and Jorsou gave q pull &C the top rail OF the
fence, and over 1t came.
They then took bee line; yes. form house
ard for the very window where We were now
breathIessly watching.
Maria was puzzled and Interested: was in
agony.
Though the yroand IVES rough and steep in
places. the driver slaShed nas old horses and
persuaded them thst they were to move
straight ahead and follow sne r,eu 6sfcrs
them.
It now appeared WHO SO rough turnout
had been used 10 convey shudder 70 say Il
4 dead body 20 It's final resting place
DiaSo1aIly across the corner CT tie 10.
straight on they all came, re-aorseasss As fate.
TIL finally they reached another feoce Thia
time IL ~as newer fsacs- L was M fsuoa.
Jorton went 70 the wagon and returned
With !. hammer and caisel, with witch lie