Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-03-29
mo; there's none'l have the likes Of

| eclts IL you VIII tdhc IL.
Jim could not believe his ears. Some
one actually talking to him as if he was
an honest man, and not some sort of YER
min or venomous beast. a real "tip-top
gentleman" too. He must be muddled.
But the brown eyes were looking coolly
enough at HIM. and their owner was say
ing "Well, what do you say2"
eyer don't know what l be; I'm a
bad lot I've been in quod oft enough,
blurted out Jim, feeling somehow he
could not take his new-found patron in.
81 dare say you have, and deserved it,
too. But believe you can pull round
yet if you like; and. as ! said, will
give you the chance of regular work and
pay. Will you take it?"
In the depth of Jims warped nature
there glimmered something like spark
of gratitude an dim longing after
new life, for a moment; but old habits
were too strong for him, and the clouds
closed darker again as he shook his head
and said in tones which tried to be civil:
"No, guy nor; yer mean well; but it's
no go now. I'm no good for anythink
but cadging and tramping, an l doan
want to work for any master-an won't,
neyther."
He expected an angry lecture and
round abuse for refusing; but the other
said quietly, stroking his boot with the
handle of his hunting crop "That is
dangerous way of thinking, my friend,
and will get you into trouble again. You
are fool not to try to pull out a bit;
but you know your own affairs best.
Well, here is supper and bed for you,
anyway. Look out" He tossed half
crown to Jim with careless, easy good
nature, and, shaking up his horse, trotted
off with nod and good luck"
How costless word or two of sympa-
thy are, and yet how priceless they may
become. How easy to be gracious, and
yet how far-reaching the results! We
scatter kindly greetings here and there
as we journey on life's roadway, and 10!
they spring up bright flowers to gladden.
some sad, weary wayfarer.
Hugh Boynton, smoking his high
priced Havana after dinner that evening
in the luxurious ease of his favorite
lounging chair, had utterly forgotten all
about the few words and the silver coin
which he had thrown to the tramp whom
he had overtaken as he rode home from
hounds Jim, curled up under the lee
of clover rick, turned the half-crown
over and over in his hand, and thought
of how for once in his life he had been
spoken kindly to by real gentleman.
Five dreary years passed over Jim's
luckless head, their monotony broken by
police court, prison cell, and vagraut
ward experiences. He had wandered up
and down some dozen counties, and seen
the inside of most of their jails, and
now, had drifte1 toward York. He had
scarcely tasted food for week, and had
almost forgotten the feel of copper
/ coin.
The afternoon was closing as he found
himself in the long Struggling village of
Marston, footsore and done up. The
lights at the grocer's shop threw broad
band of brightness across the road, and
Jim could see man in white apron
busIly piling up a pyramid Of loayes
which boy had just brought in crisp
and hot from the bakehouse. The sight
was too much for the famished fellow,
and he pushed his way into the shop
Now, then, what is it ?" cried the shop
man sharply, as he scanned Jim's tattered
appearance.
"Will ye give me yam ov them little
uns, guv'nor2 I'm nigh clemmed; )" and
he nodded toward the bread pile.
"No, certainly not; never give to
beggars or tramps.
Give not tasted bite nor sup this
blessed day, God knows"
Cant help that Come. get out of
the shop, do you hear2--or I'll set the
constable onto you. The likes of you
ought not to be allowed to 60 about the
country Come, off with you!"
So the social outcast went forth into
the night hungry and insulted, and the
sleek tradesman rubbed his hands and
stacked his loaves, congratulating him
self the while on his refusal to counte-
nance a worthless vagabond, who, re
garded from the lofty standpoint of
political economy, had no right to live
on the earth.
Three times did Jim try his luck down
the length of the village street, with no
better success; and then he gave it up
and bitterly left the houses of his fellow
creatures behind him and faced the
bleak open country again. He dragged
himself along for a few weary miles, then
opening gate crawled into half-ruined
cowshed and flung himself down upon
some bracken and straw litter in the
furthest corner, and dozed off. When he
woke up the moon had risen, and was
shining in through the chinks of the
was white with snow He shivered and
buried himself completely in the bracken
and tried to sleep again and forget the
cold and his hunger. He had almost
succeeded, when the sound of voices
came to him on the still night air, and a
minute late three men entered the shed
Course the coldi" growled one as he
drew back just within the shadow
Course him, you mean, said another,
as he leaned thick oak cudgel against
the wall and began to blow upon his
nunbed fingers.
''Tll do more than curse him when tn
time comes" answered the first speaker
GAY, he'd best not have taken us i
hand. Says he, when with the rest of t
beaks he sentenced Tin and JEFF The
poaching rascals shall be stopped, if
have to do it single handed.
well, he'll be single handed to-night
anyways, for he's no groom wi him. So
he can try what he's good for wi three
ov us eh, jack"
Hell find it tough job, I'm think
ing"
Is t wire right, Bob7"
! Surely! His mare steps high; but
I've lowed for it, and she'll catch beau
tifully. It's past twelve now; he
oughtn't to be long
Hist, mate; there's wheels. Now
fort. Come on
! The three men went out quickly, and
Jim, following to the door, saw them
/ leap into the road and hide in the hedge
on the opposite side; then he stole down
to the gate, out of mere curiosity to watch
what their game was. In few minutes
the ring of hoofs grew louder, and high
wheeled dog-cart spinning round cor
ner came rapidly down the lane. 1t was
occupied by one figure only, the red glow