The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-08-23


rang The bell that il could not be
far from nine o'clock The door
was opened by the footman, and
from within the wide hall flood
Of light poured out upon the pale
and shabby visitor.
The servants hall is at the side
entrance" the fellow said.
But Walter removed his dripping
hat and stepped into the hall, say
ing haughtily
sMy business is with your mas
ter. Please say To him that his
nephew, Walter Thomas desires ar
interview"
The man departed, followed by
Walter, whose impatience border
ed almost upon frenzy.
mo, | cannot see hlm tonight I;
tell him | am busy. | have no time
to waste upon reckless vagabonds." !"
The cold hearIless voice reached
Walters ears. And this was his
mothers brother! lie pushed the
footman aside, and strobe into that
grand room IN his dripping clothes.
"Uncle Charlie, only ask a few
words with you. Are you so busy
that YOU have not len minutes for
your dead sisters child ."
He was ghastly under the full
blaze of the chandelier; his eyes
large and brilliant, seemed TO burn
into his uncle's brain.
II can spare that time, but moth
ing else" he said meaning y.
Il have tried for months to find
enployment-anything, no matter
what. l can obtain no situation
among strangers, and rather than
see my wife and child starve, | ap-
peal to vou-not for charity, under.
stand; but for employment at al
most any wages"
The stern, cold old man was 81
lent for some time. AT last he an
swered slowly
you are unskilled, as you say.
| can give yoa situation-One
which for convenience we will call
general utility man. your duties
will be whatever | or The members
of my household require OF YOU,
from carrvidg coal TO washing dish
es. | will give you one dollar a
day and your family can have the
large, unoccupied room in The west
wing, and take your meals with the
servants. Perhaps your wife can
assist The seamslress; it, so her mis-.
lress will pay her at The usual
rate"
Walter bowed; he dared not re-
fuse the arrogant olfer--there was
poor hungry Willie al home.
He was passing out into the cold
and rain when some one, he knew
not whoa guest of his uncle's
perhaps--came quickly forward
and flung a cloak about his shoul'
Gers, while a kind voice whisper.
ed
"The weather is very bad oblige
me by accepting the loan OF my
cloak. Good night"
He went home with a tagging
step. The work he had accepted
would not have been so CALLING
had not his uncle made IT app eal
AS a disgrace, The natural ending
he had foreseen for his uapromis
lug nephew.
However, when he told his news
to Rachel, he was careful 10 keel
his wounded feelings concealed
She looked relieved, but could moi
refrain from saying:
1.-The work will give rs whole
some food, of which we all stand
in need, God knows, and also hon
est wages. But TO think that you
must be a servant in your OWL
hOmel | fear The aSsoclatiOn will
make you very unhappy"
"Oh, no." said Walter, smiling
family, "l'm developing into first
rale Mark Tapley. | think we viii
be altogether jolly"
But though their room was a fine
lofty chamber, a fairy place to lit
lie Willie, sitting in the deep, old
fashioned windows and gazing ou
over the beautiful grounds, some
other things were hardly as Jolly
as they might have been. Walter
discovered at the end of the frs
day that his arms ached with hi
unusual tasks, while poor Rachel
with all her brave patience. founC
that she could sew but Indifferent
ly, and that her tucks, even will
the help of the improved tucker,
were anything but lrne.
But the first week was the hard
est. After that Walters arms be
came accustomed tO their work
and Rachel conquered the refrac
tory sewing machine, aud thus add
ed her mite 10 their scanty income
The meals, served in the ser
wants hall, were not unpleasant
Rachel often found herself laugh
ing al some Of cooks quaint stO
ries. while Walter contracted 4
friendship with The head gardener
and gave him sone of his small
store Of Latin. Then, ashamed 0
his lack Of knowledge, he hunieI
up his old books, and began L
! study again.
One evening, Two months late
. as Walter poured over his Latir
he heard a rap, and, opening th
, H,nr rr-ae surt,risa1 fo admit th
r stranger who had so kindly loane'
hIm his cloak.
: "A tleasanl aNeninr-xeTv diI