The morning call., 1891-02-11

THE
horses and square, olskin-covered coach. A
tall man, tawny and bearded, leaped from
the seat and came up the veranda steps,
where all the family were ranged to meet
him. He shook hands with father, kissed
mother ana then turned to us girls.
Floss was the beauty of the family and
was first presented for kiss, then Peggy
and last of all myself though | was older
than Peggy; but l was plain and quiet.
Three fine gals" said my Uncle Kit.
land yer boys seem kind of hearty, too. but
on this rocky soil. l wish you was all in
Californy." Then he paused.
:" have friend, Noah Broadhead, in the
carriage. l would like to introduce you to
him, Brother VIII, and if you can give him a
bite and sup, and accommodate him and
me with beds for one nlsht-Woil, III be
grateful"
" Certainly, certainly" cried my mother
ASK him in and Introduce him."
gentleman dressed in spick ond span
new clothes, clean shaven and really nice
looking, was led up by Uncle Kit and in
Broadhead.
l thought had seen the face before, as
there was something very familiar in the
expression of his eyes, but could not re-
member where. At the time it occurred to
me that it might have been in meeting or
at Harristown.
However we made very merry party
had been so often leased and quZzed about
my "Softness" that it was quite a relief
when the mortgage, Uncle Kit ana dinner
took up all thought aud conversation. But
after dinner had Il somewhat trying ordeal
to GO through.
The fact of it was Uncle Kit made a
speech. II see, Brother Will" he sad.
'that after all you are much better OH IMAM
l am" Sensation, as they say IN the news
papers) "YOu have a fine farm and hue
And fine mortgage" said my father
under his breath, but Uncle Kit dld not
hear him.
"As for me-" went on Uncle Kit, Pm not
so rich as l would like TO be. l am not even
so rich as you are" There was a GREATNESS
pause here.
81 am bound to say that if it hadn't been
for member of this family l should never
have learned how rich you are"
My father started, flushed and grew al
most angry. He thought he was being
quiZZed.
Hold on till I've finished, WILL" went on
my uncle. Yesterday morning l thought
| was twice as rich as you are, aid it is
through a member of your family, l repeat,
that l learned my mistake"
Who could it be that had told Uncle Kit
that we were rich? Every one looked at the
other. MY father evidently was much per-
turbed. Mr.. Noah Broadhead's face wore a
kind of amused smile; whether he was
secretly laughing at my uncle or at my
father, or was amused at DeiDg taken so
suddenly into family condolences l did not
know.
"a member of this family yesterday ad-
mitted tramp into this house," went on
the speaker
1T mast have been that Sally" whis-
pered pretty Floss and Peggy, and all eyes
immediately were fixed on me.
The tramp was fed and rested, ana be-
lore going away stocking-1 believe it was
stocking, Noah-was pro iuced and certain
dimes, quarters and hity-Cent pieces counted
out aud given to this worthless vagabond."
Mother looked reproachfully at me.
dare not look at father; the two bows
seemed puzzled. Had my foolish generosity
to the tramp conveyed the notion to my
uncle that we were too we'll off to need his
assistance? The idea seemed absurd, i'm
possible.
That tramp" went on my uncle, twas
an old mate OF mine, and but for this money
would not have met me at Hsrristown and
offered me the chance OF making big fort
une out of your farm"
You're welcome to do that, Kit" said nv
father. dryly, If only you'll give ME hall
OF it"
That tramp" continued Uncle Kit,
showed me the finest specimen of manga
from him that lie found it in your pasture.
Brother, you wrote to me asking me to lift
your mortgage. l can't do that but you've
got u daughter In your house who is good
enough TO make the heaviest mortgage in
the world lighter than feather. I'll tell
you what l will do. | will take shares
enough in your manganese mine to lift all
the mortgages in the village"
My father looked stupetied for a moment,
my mother stared at HIM and blushed for
sheer Joy. Even the boys seemed to waken
up to the good news, and l was for mo-
ment eyed with admiration by all.
So l didn't get very much leased after all
about entertaining that tramp. Mr.. Noah
Broadhead. who profeSsed to be a chemist,
examined the manganese deposit down in
our pasture that very day aud pronounced
1t one of the richest in our part of the
world.
We still live on the old farm, but we hear
no more of mortgages, and it was only yes
terday that Floss said TO me, "Oh, Sally,
how lucky it was that you were so kind TO
that tramp"
But l have never yet been able to per-
suade myself that the tramp and Mr.. Noah
Broadhead We're not the same person.
Springfield Homestead.