San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-12-20

still, that somewhere through this old farm
that my friend Van Grinder had purchased,
and Of which my lot was a part, there was
reserved a fright of way" to an old burying
ground.
l was somewhat alarmed, and fastened to
Mr.. Van Grinder for an explanation.
"Why, my dear fellow" said he such a
friendly way he had of saying my dear fell
lowT1 that's Of no consequence whatever
The ground is never used, as you see for
yourself; the family long ago stopped giving
it any care, and if any of the heirs are to be
found you couldn't hire them to be buried in
it. Besides, to make it doubly secure, I've
reserved a way to the ground on the other
side" and he pulled out his map and showed
me, sure enough, a right of way mapped out
from the road to the ground by round,
about path, and through land not very avail
able for other purposes.
left him, convinced that it was all right,
but still not feeling quite so firm in my pos
session as before.
/ didn't like the cold blooded language of
that ancient conveyance, together with a
right of way to and from the said burying
ground, for the purpose of burying their
dead, to them and their heirs forever"
kept my own counsel this time. There
was no need of Maria's knowing anything
about the wretched fright of way" for
women are such hands to borrow trouble.
We planned our cottage, taking the pleas
ure in 1t that every one does in arranging
every room to his or her needs.
Some of the rooms, Of course, looked
toward the river; the dining room, situated
in a wing, or a." of the house, had a front
window with a fine view of the village and
the big church.
The house was finally completed, and the
grounds gradually, under my direction, as
sumed the proper shape, and looked all the
more pleasing from their having been rather
rough by nature.
The ascent, which had been quite steep,
was reduced to number of gentle terraces,
between which the road wound gracefully.
We were happy in our new home, and every
little Improvement about the place was a
pleasure, though it did cost money and labor.
But after few months we learned that our
place was appreciated by others as well as
ourselves.
One day a stranger called and inquired for
me. After speaking of the weather and the
pleasant view he said he'd like to look
around the place if l had no objections" l
was perfectly willing and accompanied him.
His appearance was not prepossessing; his
dress was rather shabby and his eyes were
everywhere except on my face; but in spite
of their watchfulness, he had come near
walking too close to the kennel in which
Bone, gigantic and much admired English
mastiff, spent his days, fastened by stout
chain. The dog seemed to dislike his looks
flo,, II hor haa
peased
Finally, in an embarrassed sort of wayne
had evidently been trying to work up to the
subject gracefully, but failed-my caller said
he'd ''heard that my place was for sale"
assured him that was a mistake, where
upon he said that he'd Thought likely; but
he took a sort of notion to the place and
thought if it cd be bought reasonable he'd
like to own it,"
My vanity, Of course, was touched at hav.
ing my choice approved, while, at the same
time, vision of the profits Of building az
selling arose before me.
l said l would sell if / got a sufficient.
price, and at his request named a good
round sum. He shrugged his shoulders and
said he couldn't pay any such money, but hs
thought he wouldn't mind giving a certaii
sum which he named, and 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 me, perhaps" said he, and
handed me an old envelope with his name
on it.
l babe him "Good day." and was about
throwing the envelope away when the name
struck me as familiar. "Ephraim Jorton n
for moment l couldn't recall where l 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 moss grown headstones In the
grave yard.
In vain l tried to convince myself that il
was only coincidence; that my Jorton fam
lily must be scattered and dead; had to give
myself up to detection
1t is thus that the clouds of trouble roll
over our heads. We no sooner recover from
one shadow and begin to bask in the sunshine
of happiness, than another takes its place.
That night, as the church clock doomed out
an hour when ought to have been asleep, it
seemed to sound only refrain to the words:
ITO them and their heirs forever"
As some victim of involuntary vigils has
courted it: Sorrow endureth for joy, but
night cometh in the morning"
So the next morning arose, determined
to drop the whole subject from my mind,
and l succeeded in so far that never men,
toned the graveyard, nor even looked that
way, if could help it.
told Maria of the strangers foolish er-
rand, but had said nothing of the similarity
of names, for reasons already limited at.
There is enough actual trouble IN the world