Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-06-26

res, ne VIII feel bad enough; but II
serves him right for the mean trick he
played upon me-"
SIT was mean, / grant; but now he is in
trouble you can surely afford to forget it. y
Il shall never forget it. intended, Mary,
to build house on portion OF the lot. Now
can probably get possession of it and carry
out my original design"
''Then, after all, the evil will be repaired
eyes; but not because Follett is willing
Probably the bitterest part Of his disap-
pointment viii be the thought that he can
no longer thwart me-"
II think you misjudge him."
81 don't believe do.''
So ended the conversation. Others were
held, In which Mrs. Murdoch endeavored,
but in vain, TO modify the bitterness of her
husbands prejudice.
Meanwhile things went worse and worse
with poor Follett. His oldest child was
taken sick with scarlet fever, and after 9
brief illness died.
When Robert Murdoch saw his careworn
and grief-stricken face, then for the first
time a sentiment of pity stirred him. The
change was so great between Mr.. Follett,
bright and animated as he had been before
his misfortunes came upon him, and now,
that his enemy must certainly have had q
him. Then he, too, became sick-a result
rational enough under the complication Of
misfortunes. The sickness lasted for four
weeks, and he emerged from it the ghost of
his former self.
His ruin was found to be complete. Two
hundred dollars alone remained of his once
handsome property. He must at once do
something for his support Under the cir
cumstances some of his friends thought of
trying to obtain for him the post of post
master, which would yield him an income
OF eight hundred dollars a year. But there
was one difficulty in the way. Robert Muir
docks influence was great and being init
mately acquainted with the member Of Con-
gress for the district, could probably defeat
the plan. James Follett said this in a de-
spending tone when the plan was preached
to himself
sit won'tdo," he said; ''Murdock will OPP
pose it."
But Robert Murdoch was restored to his
better self. He quietly wrote note to his
friend, the member Of Congress, urging
Follett's claims. This was sufficient. A
fortnight later Follett received intelligence
of his appointment from the member him.
self, accompanied by the intimation that he
had acted upon the recommendation Of
Robert Murdoch.
Mr. FOllett read this communication. Il
was the first intimation he had had of the
change In his enemy's feelings and pro
duced a wonderful effect upon him. 1t made
him, moreover, utterly ashamed Of his
former act of meanness.
Acting on the impulse Of the moment he
seized his hat and hurried toward Robert
Murdock's house, which for years he had
not entered. The servant received him
with look of surprise, and ushered him
into the sitting-rCom. Robert Murdoch en-
tered five minutes later.
Murdoch" he said, with emotion, 81
have come to thank you for your noble kind
ness to one who has so little deserved it."
''Then you have got the Officer
eyes; thanks to your Kindness"
81 am glad of 1t. l had not heard the re
| suit of my application"
Snow you must let me apologize for what
have long been ashamed of-lny purchase
of the Walsingham lot"
1--WE won't talk of it now"
''You can have itnow. That must 90 with
the rest of my property"
Il will gladly buy it at a fair price; but
am sincerely sorry for your lossesp
THANK you, Murdoch. How little knew
your
At am afraid you knew me only too well
| When / first heard of your misfortunes
was unfeeling enough to exult; but a better
feeling succeeded, and now 1 am truly
| sorry"
evil you forget the past and look upor
me as friend, bound to you by no ordinary
ties of gratitudel"
ION one condition"
"And that is-n
''That while you are settling up your af
fairs, you and your wife will become my
guests. We have large house and vii
make you a. home"
The reconciliation between Robert Muir
dock and James Follett was nine days
wonder in the village; but it served as al
introduction 10 a lasting friendship, which
was a source Of mutual comfort and pleas
ure. There is more than one quarrel tina
might be concluded happily if people would
take more pains to understand each other
and, by kindness and forbearance, appeal t,
their higher and nobler natures.-Horati
| Alger, in Yankee Blade.