The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-01-09
Ny OLD DEAR

sbu ouNtuto hHftpibg sway run soe
rear. dimly outlined itself sesins, a bin
background.
The hired man came from the barry ard
With tao iro,hipg pals Of milk. and was
mel At The aide doorstep by . sirsng, =
who bad labored wiih The front kuoeEer
IL vain.
Good evening. said the stranger
Howdy-do
Does John Thomas live hefry
Yes cir.
IL be ut homer
He cant very we'll be anywhere else,
replied the hired man, With 40 eIpIsns~
tory grin. He's been helpless since
year ago last August. and cant 60 nowhere
nnlsss he's carried out. tend to the
business OF the farm for the old folks.
My business is with him. not with the
farm. said the stranger.
Step right into the house. then invited
the hired man. himself leading the way
with bis pals OF milk. Aunt Susan, he
announced 10 the familiar tone OF one who
feels the dependence Of his employers,
here's gentleman TO see uncle.
The clean kitchen. bright with lamp
light and preparations for a country sup
per, held nothing else as beartening ss tie
old woman who turned from her cooking
range. Her ripples OF gray and auburn
hair, patient blue eyes and trim aud active
figure, won the young man. though be
tried to regard her with callous indffer
ence.
She took him into an inner room where
. table was spread at the elbow Of sn old
man propped in an easy chair. 1t was
comfortable room. full Of pleasant living
and signs Of such opulence as an aged sg
ricultural couple might care for. On the
mantle over the log fire stood deliberate
clock and two vases OF those mummies
known as winter bouquets
Locked in the calm Of paralysis. the
useless farmer met and resisted that sp
proachiug strangers gaze. A lamp burn
ed In the middle Of the table. II showed |
every cast iron line OF the iuvalids griz.
zled face. His weak ness became on q |
sudden his strength. He took refuge In |
1t, and covered himself with il from the |
vengence he recognized, coming out ofthe
past IN search OF him.
Dear; here's somebody come to see you.
said the old wife, bestowiDg this delight
upon her husband and q chair upon the
stranger. The neighbors havs all been so
good, but it isn't otter we have q stranger
t) our house now think it's 20 much
better fer Dear to see folks she copfided
to the young man, than to sit alone in his
affiictiop.
Her caller stood by the hearth, declining
g seat. and holding his hat. He was a
hale, blond man. carrying with him the
cir of the busy world. Success had al
ready set confidence in his face He was
a power confronting that wrecked old
man, FOR whom he could feel no more pity
than one gives badly crushed snake.
We don't eat in the kitchen since Dear
had his stroke, apologizsd the old wife,
her mind half fingered with her dishes
on the range. Its handler for him to
have the table here I'll bring them right
in. and you will sit by and take supper
with us.
No, tbsnks The stranger took q 20.
per from his breast pocket aud unfolded
it, My business 10 brief. came to hand
this document, copied from one retain, to
John Thomas
II IT'S note or deed. ssid the wife, III
read it 10 him. Dear can't bold anything
10 his hands now.
She took her spectacles from q work.
basket. and ooughed. and reached for tie
paper,
The young man put it behind hin, with
. flashing action OF the muscles surprising
TO hims,li The freight made her mild
spectacles glare.
This is business matter. be apollo
eiz d, blusbing. The old man sat like .
sphiuX, and lett his innocent and tender
guardian to encounter his fate. Il
Well maybe you would rather read it to
Dear yourself, she suggested.
would. il he must have il read to
him.
Are you lawyer she inquired, very
timidly.
sm. Perhaps | forgot to mention that
nv name is Eugene Lsplsce.
Seems 10 me baye heard the name ,
somewhere.
Your husband has. 1t is name he knew ,
well twenty years ago IN the west. My
father was bis partner.
There, now, Dear, cried tbs lovely old ,
woman. Company has been sent 10 us for !
this Thanksgiving knew We wouldn't I
have TO cit down to turkey by ourselves, II !
We are lone couple. You'll take supper.
Of course. Add where is your horse.
/ walked here from the hotel in your {
little town, explained the young man. II
isn't far
Dear won't have the son Ci his old part.
ner stop at sny tavern. she remonstrsted
We eau send the hired man for your things
and you'll stay right where you are. Beds !
amt 90 scarce in this house that friends I
child can't sii down aud stsy. 4
The yonos man folded his paper and
put IL back 10 his pocket. /,
will call again. be said, in blunder
log rnanuer unusual 10 him, and bis snI. /
ious hostess. seeine ths, be desired TO &c, /
out. indicated the front eniersnce, and. 1
mindful Of dignity conducted him berself /
in,o the chilly ball. She shut the sitting
room door aud lesred ssainst panel. her
q CURE collspsipg downward. A fsn-lieht,
.hsdsd bx ureen tspsr threw ebost.lipes