Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-07-11
Door wife and little child /

was the young man 8 name,) looking up
in extreme astonishment.
Marry, and wherefore not?'
You do but jest with me-.
1t is not my wont to jest at misfor-
tune
But have you-'
Have l the sum sufficient you would
ask. See here
And the forester drew out his pouch,
and counted out the eighty pounds.
Generous stranger, you have saved
me- said Martin, overoyed. 1 will
work my fingers to the bone but that I
see thee repaid. If thou wilt come in
with me, will give thee an acknow-
Judgement of this sum-
1T is needless. l will trust to thy
honesty
But
4 insist that it shall be so. Cannot
one man trust another p
Martin began to pour out his CRATE
full thanks, when the forester interrupt
ed him by asking at what time he ex-
pected Hugh Stamford to come for his
money.
lie is to be here next week, Thurs
day. at eleven by the clock
1T is we'll
The forester here turned to go.
May l not know to whom l am in
debted for this timely assistance p ask
ed Martin.
You will know some time, my good
FRIEND said the forester, gayly as he
resumed his walk.
Martin re entered the cottage to tell
his wife of the unexpected good fortune
which had come to rclleye him Of his
embarrassment.
On the next Thursday morning,
Hugh Stamford set forth from Noting
ham to visit his debtor. He was an old
man, with pinched features, which were
a look of blended avarice and cunning.
He rode brokendown hack, which he
had purchased for little or nothing,anl
kept as near starvation as himself. In.
deed, it was piece Of extravaganza in
the old miser to keep horse at all, but
he was in a measure forced to it by his
lameness, which prevented his walking
any distance. He was wont, however,
to complain bitterly how much it cost
him to keep his horse. The old mans
features wore look of unusual joy as
he rode slowly along on this particular
morning.
1T was lucky chucklea he to him.
SELF that young Martin lost his receipts.
1t has put eighty good pounds into my
pocket, and more, for the farm is worth
more now than it was. But if folks will
be careless, it is their own lookout
He must blame himself, and not me-
By this time he had reached the cot
tage, and with some difficulty dilnount
ed.
Now Martin. determined to try wheth
er the old man would really take the
unjust advantage he had threatened,
resolved at first to pretend that he had
not got the money for him. Accord
ingly, when Hugh Stamford entered
the cottage, he beheld young Martin
with very disconsolate look, sitting
beside the table with his head rest 'ng
upon it.
Good morning, Master Martin, said
he. scarcely concealing his JOY, for be
felt that the farm was already his.
Good morning. returned Martin, so.
berly.
Have you got the eighty pounds for
me ?-I mean the hundred {?
G ood SIT, said Martin, I pray you
to deal mcreifully with me. | beseech
you to bethink yourself if you do not
remember how my lather paid you
twenty pounds at four several times,
making eighty IN all.
How should | remember what never
happened p said Hugh Stamford, rough
ly.
But I am sure it did happen,' said
Martin, for my father himself told me
upon his death. bed
lie was out of his head, them said
Hugh.
May. but he retained bis senses per-
fectly to the last.
In that casc,' said The mlser, exult-
ingly, perhaps you will show me the
receipts
But I have already told you that
they are lost. | have been searching
for them everywhere, but have not been
able to find them.
And good reason why. You might
T