The Press., 1891-10-01
Number 27.

don't need me 1t wouldn't be bad 1dee to sit down on that pretty porch of the big house and knit a spell until dinner is call ed. The squires folks never eat at twelve, they are too genteel, and take their dinner at one; it kind of shortens the afternoon, but I don't know as 1t makes much difference, seein' that there's jest twenty -four hours to the day. I can git few rounds done, anyhow, and I want to bind off this heel before it comes dark; the sooner get these thick socks done the better, since MT. Burchmore has such cold feet his blood is none of the best, and it's an old sayin' that "a warm sole keeps the body whole,' and it's as true as preachin'-truer than some I've heard"
 Nancy made herself comfortable by re- moving her bonnet, and tying over her ears a thick, green barege veil which she pro- duced from huge pocket tied under her dress skirt. The warm breeze, the per feet quiet of all surrounding things, and Nancy's previous active exertion at home, in order to leave everything, as she said, 'snug and shipshape in case anything should happen" all combined to make this worthy woman not only tired, but drowsy. In a few moments her knitting fell gently down and slid off her lap; a little later when the drowsy god had per fected his work. the useful hands dropped also, and soon the jaw fell, and the some- what large mouth opened wide to let aud ible snores escape.
 It so chanced that Hiram, the wicked, passed that way, and saw the sleeper; he gazed for moment, and then smiled knowingly. He did not pause to reflect on the respect due his elders, on his own years now beyond the mischief of boy hood, or the mean spirit which could an- noy one so universally respected, and a kind friend to his granny" Hiram sell dom reflected until after deed was done. He stole softly up to the room where he slept, and took down, with some caution, round box bearing silver plate in l scribed with the name of "John Dixon." | From this he obtained a reddish brown powder, which he proceeded to make into the form of huge pill. In shape and size it resembled what is known among boys as "big agate," or large marble {; armed with this, he crept over the stairs again and approached the sleeping wo- man. With @ dexterity unknown to those who perform good deeds, he threw the pill into the open mouth so deftly that it did not at first arouse Nancy to conscious ness. A moment later a succession of guttural noises were heard, followed by spasmodic sneezing, as poor Nancy strug. gled with the snuff thus rudely thrust into her throat. As soon as she was relieved she looked about for the culprit, but nc one could be seen save the housekeeper who had heard the noise and hurried out to gently reprove Nancy for sitting out SC long after the wind had turned cold Nancy kept her own counsel, for in the distance she now saw a youth going across the pasture with some tools on his shoul der which he had been sent to bring down | While this was transpiring, Maida had written a long, kind letter to Paul, begin. ming in this wise, without preface or pre- amble :-
 "I have grand news for you; your faith CT has pledged himself, with Gods help to abstain from all intoxicating drinks He has, as you know, been quite i'll, anC he is still far from strong, but we hope tC see him gain rapidly now.
 "Nancy is the kindest of nurses, anC the greatest comfort of his life is found 1T your letters home. wish you could set him now; he is my guest to-day, and is resting on the couch while write. I an so grateful and happy that find it diff cult to collect my thoughts. His menta struggle has been as hard as the physical but, thank heaven, he has conquered. Ht has promised to add postscript for you and hope you will write him the moment you receive these glad tidings."
 It was not until dinner and rest haC nerved the tremulous fingers that the in valid could add the following words:
 "It is all true, my son. God onl, knows how l have suffered and, alas, have made so many suffer. You mus forgive your poor old father. I am hap pier than ever thought could be in thu world without her. I hope she knows how it all is with us. Please thank Mis- Hale, for 1 can't she has been like daughter to me, and has done more thai any one else in the world to try making man out of wreck.
 "Your father, S!LAs BURoHMoRE."
 No one could describe the complex feel ings of Paul as he read this letter. H. was fairly dumb with joy; and, like hi father, wished "she" could know. Phi was even more demonstrative than Paul but he had not known all the bitter past and he could enjoy the present good with out anxiety. Paul wrote at once; no one letter, but three; one to Nancy, giv ing her additional instructions about hi fathers diet and care; and one to hi father, filled with the kindly outpouring of manly man. The third, to Maida was the briefest of all and yet the mos expressive. Such short missive did no require much revision, and yet it was rea' and re-read many times. This was al Maida received:
 "Thanks are impossible in this case and words are powerless to express al that my glad heart dictates. You hay been the good angel of our unhappy hom for years, and it is not in my power t cancel the debt. God bless you for al you have been to me and mine.
 Faithfully yours, PAUL BURoHMoRE.
 ''I like people who write Faithfully with capital letter." said Maida as sh read Paul's note to her mother; ''they ar generally people you can trust"
 ITO be cOntinued.]
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