Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-09-12

his favorite books were right there in the
room with him.
The doctor was talking against time,
and Hannah, as she paused in her work,
gave him penetrating look. 81 guess,
said she slowly, 'there are angels up
there that smile, if they don't laugh
right out, at some of the lies that's told
down here. AS If the old man had
money to pay in fees AS If he had had
a cent in his pocket since he came to me
three years ago. We thought that meb-
be some of his distant rich kin might
think to send him Christmas present,
but they never do. There's two things
folks always keep clear Of, doctor--pov-
erty and pestilence."
"But it's to be remembered. Hannah"
responded the doctor, ''that the poor are
always good to the poor. Without their
kindness to each other the world would
not go on. I've seen good deal of hui
man nature in my time, and know it's
awfully mean in spots, and in other
spots it's lit up with heavens own light
unexpected spots, too, mostly
YES" said Hannah, softly setting
down her iron. when think of you
going round in the country in your old
mud spattered shay, tending the tired
farmers wives, and the rheumatic old
folks, and the sick babies, somehow ]
think of them lines in the Bible, The
desert and the solitary place shall rejoice.
and the wilderness shall blossom like the
rose"
"Sho, Hannah" said the doctor, push
ing back his hat still further on hisgreat
head, and looking warm and embar-
raised. Who'd ever thought you would
drop into poetry? What am or any of
US compared with that old philosopher
in there nailed to his chair, helpless and
half dead. and with the light of happi
ness all around him. tell you, Han
nah, he's daily lesson to me. BY the
way, have you heard that Joel has had
an offer for his farm? A big offer too.
A city man is coming here to set up
racing stable and to raise fine stock.
He's taken a fancy to the old place. and
it is thought Joel will get almost any
price he may ask. You know that de-
tached piece of fifty acres on the Dew
berry road the old man left in wood land?
Well, it's coming right into the market,
The town is growing rapidly out in that
direction, and Joel talks of cutting it
up into building lots and selling it of
at so much the foot. They do say the
best part of the town is going ont that
way, and Joel will know how to make
his profit.
THAT wood lot would have been
mine and the children's," cried Hannah
suddenly, throwing up her hand with a
passionate gesture, IF | hadn't signed
away our rights. and now the wicked
flourish like green bay tree"
'Tut, tut" said the doctor. in a mild
tone of rebuke. Think of the old man
i'll there who never utters a word OF
complaint against those who have
wronged him."
Il know" said Hannah, suddenly hum
bled, "he's saint, and he's brought a
blessing to this house, but | am not u
patient nature and sometimes when
get to thinking about the past I'm most
mad"
The doctor looked for moment silent
! " into the womans thin. dark face and
lager eyes ii am sorry you signed
away your rights to joel sad he at
last, "but if the Old mans property turns
out valuable beyond all that was expect
ed, shouldn't wonder if the court
could rip up that agreement for the
children are still minors and in way
under its care.
! Hannahs sinewy hand trembled with
eagerness rs she grasped the handle of
the iron. Il was half crazy when
signed that paper What with Joel nag
ging me about Ansons debt to him, and
the mortgage on my house coming to
foreclosure, and my heart in rhe grave
with him had lost-for he was good
man-and the children clinging to me
and crying, signed away their right
and title. 1t was after that Mr.. Rand
came and brought me the paid up mort
gage, and then ! came to my senses for
the.first time and the tears moistened
my dry and stony eyes,
~ know it all. Hannah" said the doc
tor, as if coaxing sick child at don't
do any good to keep going over those
hard places in life. Let us look about
and see what can be done in the pres
ent."
"Oh, if could but find that paper
acknowledging the payment of the
money! 1t all comes back to ME now
Just how it happened You see, Anson
met Joel in town and paid him and took
a receipt. and Joel promised to bring the
note next time he drove in from the
farm 1t was on a Saturday and be-
fore the next Monday Anson lay dead
| remember seeing that paper in Anson's
possession, and he must have KEEP it,
along with the others. in little tin box.
Oh, if only could remember about that
box, where it was put," and Hannah
drew in her breath sharply.
"Pm afraid it never will come tc
light" said the doctor, as if hunoring
one of Hannah's fixed delusipns, "but il
the wood lot proves to be worth double
or treble the amount of the bill the
agreement might be ripped up and the
children come into their rights. I'm
afraid you'll never prove fraud. Joel il