Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-08-08
LIFTING THE MORTGAGE.


side down, sweeping, busting and clean
ing it. The sunlight streamed in through
the creeper over the windows, which
had opened, and the sound of the birds
singing outside made me wish hadn't
30 much work to do in that dusty room.
Suddenly I heard the click of the gate
latch. Somebody coming and me with
my head wrapped up in duster and nv
skirt turned up! Then there was rap
of knuckles on the panel of the front
door, which was open. Thinking it was
Widow Jenkins's little boy come over to
borrow the Ratchet to chop kindlings, for
he came regularly every day, stepped
into the entry.
1t was tramp. He was q young man
with heavy beard, dressed in blue can
vass and a straw hat, but with that
stumbling and half ashamed look which
vagabonds seem to carry with them
everywhere.
Now, our home was seldom visited by
tramps. It was good piece off the road
and they generally stopped ct the black
smiths, on the corner, or at Deacon
Thomas's, half way up the hill.
"What do you want2" I said sharply.
But relented minute afterward. He
looked at me SO piteously, he seemed so
not and tired and dusty, that I felt sorry
for him.
was always considered the fool of the
family. Twas everybody's slave. If the
boys wanted an errand run or button
sewed on it was always, "Sally'll do it."
Sally was always the one left behind
when there was a party and only tinery
enough for two. It was Sally who stayed
home from meeting and lent her boots to
one of the others. Yet believed liked
doing things for them, and for kiss or
@ kind word would willingly have gone
through fire and water.
Now that Uncle Kit was coming from
California to make US a visit it. was / who
was left at home to clean up and make
the house smart, while Floss and Peggy
had gone to the village to buy some chintz
for his room curtains and new white
coverlet for his bed.
IT want something to eat and rest, -
replied the tramp.
If only mother had been at home! She
was away consulting over Martha Phillips
sick baby, for she was rare nurse, and
valued the Importance of being called
upon on such occasions. Father and the
boys were moving in the meadow a mile
away. My impulse was at once to invite
the stranger in. He really seemed to
have respectable look under his rags and
wretched dress-at least, I thought so
for moment, and felt not the slightest
faor of him pra1o hlUr ho I,
fore the others came home, and none
would be the wiser.
"Come in" said. You do look
tired out. Come in and I'll get you some
thing to eat" He gave me a grateful
look and followed me to the kitchen.
There I quickly set table. The instinct
of hospitality awoke in me. l set before
him some cold beef, fresh butter, loaf
of bread, and then drew him some cool
cider from the cellar. He ate leisurely
and quietly, but made good dinner.
don't know what possessed me, but
after he had finished his dinner I asked
him if he would take nap on the lounge
in the sitting room. Father always Law
there for short time in the evening.
There left my tramp and went on with
my work. l swept out the parlor, busted
the mantelpiece and pictures, set fresh
| flowers in the vase on the red cloth of the
centre table, and after giving a few
| touches to the brass door handles and
| putting new ribbons on the curtains, !
returned to the sitting room.
The fact of it is I was filed with anx-
iety lest either my mother or the girls or
my father should come home while the
tramp was there. If they did, woe be-
tide me. knew I should never hear the
end of it. ''Just like Sally" "Any
more tramps round, Sally2" "Sally,
heard from that trampa" and such like
speeches would be dinned in my ears day
and night forever.
The tramp I found preparing 20 go;
but somehow he seemed to hesitate
care you going, sir9" asked. "Well,
l hope you feel better" I didn't add
"Call again." words that were on my
lips. Still he fingered
"Can do anything more for you2" ]
inquired. Oh, how I regretted that
speech moment afterward.
'7ou' We been such dear, good young
lady to me, he said warmly, "that I'm
going to ask loan of you.''
believe / looked thunderstruCk.
''I have no money to buy agsicket fol-
Harristown. Won't you be 10 kind as tc
lend me some2"