Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-07-18

| Iglanced up at Mcdonald for expIa-
nation. and his brows were knitted.
| and he seemed striving to remember
something. but suddenly his face
cleared. and he exclaimed:
why. what an oversight! Not q
| credit down. Ills the year that Invent
back to Scotland! Ned was sick all the
time l was away; my hogs all died of
cholera, and the best horse I had was
stolen Meester Ordway, if mistake
not you should have charge here for
work? The others are all correct: pit
them doom. Bailey"
however, we came on down through
the years, and the books agreed very
we'll The last page was reached at
last, and handed my figures to young
Mcdonald requesting him to make a
clear draft of them. and we would both
reckon.
There was evidently small need of
reckoning; matters would have adjust
ed themselves without nv aid. ]
glanced at the old Scot, and saw that
memory was at work and would con-
quer.
Ordway was speaking to Mrs. Nc
Donald when quick steps in the hall
told us that school was out A thick
set. broad-faced boy, whom 1 recog-
nized as Archie. opened the door, and
the moment he did so a little girl be-
hind him flung away the coat and hood
she was in the act of hanging on the
rack. and with suppressed cry bound
ed toward Mrs. Ordway. fiinging her
her face with kisses.
OF course. knew it was little Mag
gle. Her mother spoke to her gently,
and both she and sturdy Archie came
to me and offered their hands in greet
ing.
When Ned had finished his copy we
went to work, and were soon able to
announce the result, both having ar
rived at almost the exact figures at the
same moment, and Mr.. Mcdonald was
found to be in Mr.. Ordway's debt an
even five pounds.
Though l had anticipated some such
result from the books, 1 was hardly
pr epared for what followed.
Mcdonald rose to his feet, and, ad-
dressing Mr. Ordway, said: '.Neebor.
l am man of few words. as you weel
know. l hope you will believe me
when say 1 truly thought you owed
me. I'm glad it's the other way. and
I'm OWN yOu. There is your money,
and l hope you will forgive me, for
I've been in the wrong.''
Ordway hesitated moment, and in
that moment l thought l never had
seen a finer specimen of manhood.
He had risen from his chair and his
face was glowing with feeling, as he
stepped round the table to where his
old neighbor was standing and ex-
tended his hand. saying:
''Old friend, came here this morn
ing with great reluctance. expecting
to lose you, but 1 feel that I have
never sufficiently valued you hereto
fore. I do not feel as though I had
any thing to forgive, and 1 am too
well convinced of your sterling
honesty to doubt for moment your
motive
The two shook hands, and Ordway
reCelVeQ Inc money.
Mac then turned to me and said:
Bailey, promised you ten pounds
whether you won my case or no. Here
is your money. and give it cheerfully
You haze dune weel."
demonstrated, told him I had my
moneys worth double in the satisfac-
ton I felt in their restored friendship,
in which hoped for share. saw,
however, that he would be offended if
persisted in my refusal, so 1 told him
l really could not accept more than
half the proffered amount, and he,
with apparent reluctance, consented,
and handed him back half the money.
Ordway, handing the five pounds
which Mr.. Mac had just paid him to
me. said he wanted to pay his share.
l took it promptly, carefully smoothed
it. and laid the money together. Then,
while the boys had gone for the team
and Mac and Ordway were discussing
some matter connected with their
church work, and little Maggie was
helping Mrs. Ordway with her wraps,
1 conversed a short time with Mrs
Mcdonald, and gave her the roll of
bills.
She refused at first to take them;
but assured her 1 had not earned
them in any sense, and would really
feel happy in the thought that she
could use the money in any way she
chose as her own.
OF course. I need not tell you that
that is the end of my story. / had
not done much that day to increase my
income; but / don't know that / ever
felt happier in winning any case than
did when sat down to supper that
night with Nellie and the baby over
that settlement.
Two good neighbors restored to their
old friendship and all old scores set
tied to the satisfaction of every one!
That was lawyers triumph worth
striving after!-Leeds Eng.) Mer-
curry.
Rugs Healthier Than Carpets.
The hygienic disadvantages of car
pot-d,,Sf have been cODSiderab!y over