Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-03-23

Trouble I've been robbed I've lost all my
mummy. can't git home no moren he coud
The poor child Is all broke up. She don't
want ennything but TO be forgot by evry-
body. She wouldn't let me rite TO you No
moren nothin If she knu but lime in Trouble
Johnn an you're my best man. Plese to send
me % dollars an lie settle with yew when I
git home. Send it TO this place. I can ask a
favor OF yew kwicker than of most any body
els. Particulars when see yew.
Your loving friend, EBEN @. MASON
John crushed the letter into his pocket
with sterner setting of the Jaws.
That's what I'll do" he said, with
comment on the impulse that had seized
him, and he strobe off to his own quar-
tiers on the adjoining farm.
Charlie" he called, as he stepped
into the wide farmhouse kitchen, ''can
you and Jim attend squarely to things
here and at 3Iason's for the next twenty
four hours?"
"You bet!" responded a lank youth,
with more brevity than elegance.
''Mother," pursued the resolute John,
who appeared the motor power in the
establishment, ''please hurry up supper.
/ want to take the evening train to New
York"
''Why-why, Johnr' CALCULATED the
mother, at once on deck for action.
''What starts you Off to New York this
sudden?"
Business
'It-is it the deacon? I just felt sure
the old simpleton would get into some
scrape, commented the youthful Charles.
''Green as fresh sap-pile, We know"
observed jim
of preparation, and had no explanation
to offer.
When, little later, he came back,
equipped for his journey, and sat down
to the hasty meal which there was only
his mother just then present to share, she
said again, timidly:
sis it the deacon, John7"
eyes"
"And-and--" She did not dare
to repeat the name which had been for
hidden topic.
Eyes, again assented John.
''John, | didn't think you'd be troub-
ling yourself to look after herr was the
reproachful retort of Mother Sampson.
'I'm not troubling myself" returned
John, swallowing very hot mouthful
of tea.
"John, you know her good name is
gone for ever" solemnly warned the
prudent woman.
''Some of us Christians ought to try
and give her one, then," mildly sug
gested the irrational young man.
''John, when young woman is de-
ceived and led away, there's no hope"
''Mother, what is that fine story about
the Prodigal SOM" interrupted John,
moving back his chair.
ooh! but that's very different, John"
''You mean," said John, jumping into
his overcoat and tucking down his
muffler-'' you mean the Prodigal Daugh-
ter may go to perdition.
"John {"
Mrs. Sampson sat down in shocked
surprise. This was profanity.
well, WE'LL" John finished the last
button and turned with his hand upon
the door. "Take care of yourself, moth
er, and look for me back morrow even
ing. Goodnight. Don't worry"
And John was off.
There is now meek, sad little woman
in the deacon's house, who brushes her
hair smoothly back, and wears the plain
est and poorest of gowns, and works at
the hardest tasks as though there were
some atoning power in labor.
The good rural folk who look after
the morals Of their neighbors report that
''John Sampson goes to the deacon's
about as he did before"
They do not explain the significance of
'tBefore"
The women say John is fool.
Oh S,>1 oil