The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-10
eeinr her became more Infatuated than aver

seeing her became more infatuated than ever
| His father seeing his state of mind, remarked
confdentially TO his wife, the boys mother;
Betsy. if Bill don't get married or have a
row with that Pollock gal afore harvest I'll
just have TO turn TO and look after the place
| myself He's Just with nuthin'."
Mary had been home but two days when
| Henry appeared for another visit. and, rs be-
fore, William took him TO see Mary. and was
blessed TO see how well they got on together.
Every day William was busy looking after
the farm or urging on the work upon his house.
1t was now settled that they were TO be mar
ried the last week in July. Henry, having
nothing to do spent good deal of his time
with Mary, but never allowed anyone TO sus-
pect his intentions Suddenly he cut his visit
Short and went back to New York. Mary
appeared worried about something William
fondly inquired if his brother had been quar-
relling with her. but was assured that they
were the best of friends
This WAS the state of affairs when William
parted with Mary under the bright moon in
front OF her home one June night, after having
been received by her with every demonstration
OF undying affection. The next morning, ut n
very early hour the farm boy from Pollock's
burst into the Spencer house, where the family
were seated at breakfast:
Here Bill. the old woman and old man
wants you over to our house quick. Some
thin's gone wrong with Moll."
The next second the boy was bowling heap
in the corner OF the kitchen, rs Bill yelled:
" If ever hear you apply that name to my
Mary again III kill you"
He ran TO Pollock's place with the speed Of
his fright. His Mary was in danger. and he
not there. As he approached he noticed that
no morning smoke cuTled from the tall Chin
ney, and his heart sank within him. The
calamity that leaves the country morning fire
neglected he knew must be great indeed.
Without knocking he ran into the kitchen.
There was no one there. Up two steps he
bounded into the keeping ROOM" the parlor
of the day, but still no one. On one side was
the room occupied by the old folks. aud on the
other side Mary's room. The door of the latter
was open, and though the sun was shining a
candle was burning upon the bureau. He
looked in. The old folks were sitting side by
side, with bowed heads, aud held by hand Of
each between them was an open letter. Will
liam glanced at the bed. 1t was smooth and
unrumpled. The old lady raised her head
" didn't hear Molly getting up this morn
ing. Then ] came in and found this" She
reached out 10 him the letter. He read 1t me-
chanically:
DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER: have gone
70 marry Henry Pollock. Ask William TO for
give me. MARY POLLOCK"
"Ha ha! hal" 1t was a hollow, hysterical
laugh that William gave vent TO. as he handed
back the letter and walked from the house
with the step Of an old man.
On his way home he had to pass the new
house. in which, he had taken so much pride
aud pleasure The carpenters had just started
their days work.
" Bill Adams" he said, "you and your men
take up your tools and 90 home. I'll tell you
when TO go to work again"
:" But amt agoiu' TO break day this way"
demonstrated Adams"
Clear out. tell you! II ever again catch
any living thing beneath this accused roof I'll
kill it," And as he seized piece of scantling
Adams and his son fed, leaving all their tools
behind them, except such as they had in their
hands.
William then walked home and said TO his
father and mother:
shes gone off to Sharon 10 marry Henry"
"0h, the-l" started both the old people
Not word against her. Never let me hear
the name Of either of them Father, want
you 10 pay those men for their work and their
tools That house shall never be touched again
And" he added, as though it was an after
thought, you had better write 10 Henry not
10 come back here while i live"
Then William Spencer quietly took up his
life as broken-hearted man, and the new house
started on its road to decay. The old folks Of
both families passed TO their rest. and William
Was the only mouruer at their graves. For
op years william spencer was never known TO
leave his farm, though the world pr0spered
with him in everything he did. aud be became
wealthy. Then one day, in 1870, he said TO
his farmers:
q going 10 New York. i will be back
in three days"
When he returned he was accompanied by a
fRe-loOkiBg man Of %. whom he took around
and introduced to the neighbors with one
formula:
This is William Spencer, Mary Pollock
son; be win be my heir"
William Spencer senior. died In 1856; Will
liam Spencer. Mary Pollock's son, died in 1870,
and his son now owns the old Spencer place /;
and the old rotting house still stands on his
land, monument TO his grandmother's falsity,
which, Tor some reason said to be we'll known
IN the family, no one has dared 10 think Of
destroying