The Iola register., 1889-08-16

out of the cupboard little longer. And /
may find something to do, you know"
There was big lump in the boys throat,
however, as he said this, since he had
tramped the greater part of the day looking
for work.
you're not strong enough. It's a poor
time for sickly boys to go out for work"
said the last man to whom he had applied ;
and Nat was quite discouraged, and had
returned to the old house in the clearing
with heavy heart.
The despondency of Aunt Ruth touched
Nathan Bright deeply, and to cheer
her he had spoken bravely, hopefully of the
future. He knew well enough that the
house they occupied might be closed
against them at any time.
Squire Gouge had secured the place the
year before on mortgage that the hus-
band of Aunt Ruth Singleton had given
him when he lay on sick bed from which
he never rose.
The Singletons had no children, and so
orphan Nat, a nephew, came to live on the
farm. He was faithful lad, and soon grew
into the hearts sof the childless elderly
people.
The long sickness and death of Mr..
Singleton, however, changed the aspect of
every thing, and the year after his death
was one of struggle and self-denial to the
widow and her nephew.
esquire GOuge was here to-day, Nat"
said the widow, after moment.
'What did he want, aunt!"
'Can you not guess?'
s'Not this old housew
"Yes, that is the fact. He has engaged
family to take the farm, and they will move
IN next week and we must travel, that's
exactly what he said"
''The Old scamp"
'Hushl Nathan. / suppose we have
really no claim upon this place, but it will
be hard to go from the old home to which
your Uncle Jack brought me bride score
of years ago"
The haggard woman bowed her head, un-
able to hold back the tears.
Il don't care, Aunt Ruth. 1 say Squire
Gouge is mean man to turn US out just at
the beginning of winter. He knows we
haven't a place to so. How is your side,
aunt? Does it feel any better!'
''No, and fear never will. The doctor
said ] must have absolute rest for month
at least; but beggars can't be choosers."
"Begsars! Never that, Aunt Ruthr'
The boys pale face was lifted, and his
slender form drawn up to its full height,
while his bosom heaved.
'He said beggars ought to go on the town
to the pcor-house, Nat, and / suppose he
was right"
did Squire Gouge say that?"
eyes, and much more"
''The mean old skintiint, He knows that
he got this farm for less n half its value
If he'd paid the difference you would have
snug sum in the bank now. Tom Adams
told me that, and he knows. I'll let old
Gouge know that he can't run over you,
Aunt Ruth, when I'm around
Then, without listening to the good
woman's protest, Nat Bright rushed from
the house and was soon striding like mad
down the road that led to the little city two
miles away.
''Oh, the mean old man. I'll see him and
tell him what | think of his wickedness,"
thought Nat, as he hurried on over the
frozen ground.
December was here, but as yet no snow
had fallen Nat hurried on for half mile,
then came 20 a halt and gazed into the woods
at his right.
A path led from here across the woods to
the house of Squire Gouge, who lived in the
suburbs of the town. The path led by an
old ruin that was said to be haunted, but
Nat was not superstitous, and this was the
shortest cut to the Squire's house If he
went the longer way, by the road, his
indignation might ooze away before he met
the parsimonious old mouey-lender.
'In cut across lots and give him piece Of
my mind right quick! uttered the boy, at
the same time turning into the woods.
He hurried on till he gained the clearing, !
where the ruins of an old stone house were |
visible
The aspect about the place was gloomy |
enough, and Nat hurried past the old ruin,
anxious to get beyond the influence of its
somber walls.
He had not gone far when sound greeted
his ears that quite startled him. at the same |