St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-04-27
JUSTICE VS.. MERCY.
Finding . Wife Instead Of Captur.
ing q Defaulter.

ing q Defaulter.
"Why do you delay? Arrest the
man Mt once!"
This was the telegram over which
Charles DanfOrth sat ~ith gloomy
brows and firmly-set lips. his eyes half
hidden in the hand shading his face
from the blaze of the gas light hang
ing over his table. His duty lay b.
fore him. clear and distinct, and his
heart rec0iled from ii.
Three months before the lovely sum-
mer day when he had received the
telegram he had come to Mrs. Fishers
pleasant clearinghouse. and had
taken up his abode there, making him
self generally beloved by every one in
the house; for he was not only q hand
some young fellow. but had frank.
genial manners. . ready tact, and quick
self-pOssession, that were very win
ming. Every body who knew Charlie
Danforth had a kind word for him.
He was an artist. and had his draw
working early and late upon designs
for the illustrated papers in New York.
70 which he sent by mail all the con-
tributions from his pencil
He occupied a hall room upon the
third floor. and in the two large rooms
adjoining his were Mr.. Christopher
Smith and his daughter. Lulu.
1t was not strange that lonely man
should be interested in his ueighbcrs;
but Mr.. Danforth's interes: Il the
Smiths was constant and unwavering.
and wise people in the house shook
their heads, and whispered that it was
Lulu's brown eyes and sad. sweet face
that attracted the young artist not his
sympathy for the querulous invalid she
nursed SO tenderly.
Nobody At Easthaven knew much
about the Smiths; even Mrs Fisher
had taken them without any reference.
as they had como to her house under
peculiar circumstances. They wero
travelling. when the old gentleman was
taken with q stroke of paralysis on the
train just before It reached Easthaven.
The physician who was suddenly sum-
moned advised quiet house for some
time. and the hotel being crowded and
noisy with the attendants at q cattle
show. Mrs. Fisher had taken them in.
The invalid began to recover very soon,
but there was no talk of moving
further on; and as the board was paid
promptly. Mrs Fisher had no DISPOSE
ton TO turn away profitable boarders.
But the two evidently puzzled her.
Miss Lucy, who could not have
been more than eighteen, and was o
lovely. fair girl, with gentle manners
and a low, sweet voice. was like nun
in her seciusion. Her devotion to her
father did not call for all her time. as
he slept heavily for hours together;
but instead of walking out or amusing
herself in any way. she would sit be-
side him. with heavy sadness upon
her face. often weeping convulsively,
more frequently still praying fervently.
Charlie Danforth would probably
have never seen the sweet face of Lulu
Smith. for she took all her meals with
her father in his room. and all her ex-
crcise upon the wide porch leading
from her own room. at the back of the
house. but for an accident Mr.. Smith,
leaning too far forward. fell heavily to
the ground. from his chair, and the
young artist hearing Lulu's cry of
fear. came to her assistance rs quickly
as if he had been listening for the call.
II vas no time to stand upon cere-
lnony. Lulu being entirely unable TO
lift the PROSTATE form, but assisting
Mr.. DanfOrth as he did so. quickly and
easily.
Mr.. Smith was unconscious. and the
young artist lOOsened his necktie and
collar. chafed his hands. applied the
s;imulants Lulu brought. while over
his face came look of sympathy and
pain scarcely natural to feel for stran-
gers. even under these circumstances.
He came in during the afternoon to
inquire for the invalid, and so there
opened an acquaintance. for Mr.. Smith
seemed glad TO see the CHEEKY young
face. and hear the frank. fresh voice.
he was very feeble. and his steps were
slow and uncertain. SO that the strong
arm OF his young friend was gladly &C
cepted in place Of his cane. for slow
walk up and down the piazza. He was
fond of chess. and Mr.. Danforth was no
mean opponent He was guod talker
and o good listener. SO conversation
never tagged. But he was rcticent
about his own affairs, and Lulu bright
ened but little even during the most
Lively discussions. She seemed liter
ally to Be crushed under the Weight Of
some heavy aeiiction. and unable for
even one hour 70 forget her sorrow.
Often, in The silence Of his own soou, ,