Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1891-11-18


trooping remembrances of less pleasant
scenes. She would live over again all
the sufferings of later years and in the
agony OF her soul cry out to her father
for mercy.
"Oh, papa. papa" she would cry,
have mercy on me and spare me. Do
not be so cold and cruel to your child.
but let me once more feel the touch of
your hand, the pressure of your lips.
Let me once more hear you speak words
of tender love as you did when l was n
child"
Thus the weeks dragged by and the
autumn came. Johns store of provis-
ions dwindled down until the larder
was almost empty. For DAYS he and
Louise had gone on short allowances in
order that SO much as possible might
be spared to the sick woman. But now
the time had come when the lar,ier
must be replenished in some way. John
pondered the matter over long, and at
last he hit upon plan. He had his
wagon and team and few farm imple-
ments left. He would make an effort
to dispose of them. He was 10th to take
this step, for with the sale of the things
n crop the coming year.
Yet, it must be DONE" he unused.
They must go, if there is anyone to
buy them"
So he made an effort 20 raise some
means that way, but day after day he
sought for n purchaser in vain. There
was nobody to buy them, for few of the
settlers were much better off than he,
and many another would gladly have
exchanged his possessions for provisions
or the means of securing them. Find
ing it impossible to get purchaser for
his things ut any price, John began
to seek ont another plan, and at last hit
upon one.
Scraggs still lived, and rs last re-
sort he decided to go once more to him.
Perhaps under the circumstances
Scraggs would be so good as to increase
the loan on the farm, or Mt least accom-
modate him with loan on the wagon
and team. There was no great hope of
his doing either, but as n drowning
man catches at straw, so will starv-
ing one catch ut anything that offers n
bare prospect of relief Nobody save
Scraggs seemed to have money to loan,
so to Scraggs John went.
When he entered Scraggs' Office John
found Harry Pearson there. Pearson
gave him n warm salutation, asked
after the health of the family, and was
greatly shocked and much saddened
when John told him of Mrs. Green's
sickness.
1T is too bad" he said, land regret
it exceedingly. You have my heartfelt
sympathy, Mr.. Green, indeed you have.
l have felt great interest in you, and
while | was away l often thought of
You. should have been out to see YOU
but only returned from the east three
days ago, and l have been very much
crowded with business since"
Scraggs looked on this little scene
with anything but pleased ex-
preston. His face showed a minglinp
of anger and pity, and if John had
been close observer, capable of read
ing the human countenance, he surely
would have seen something in the ex-
preston of Scraggs' face and eyes to
have warned him against future
danger. But as it was John saw
nothing.
Mr.. Scraggs,' John said when the
salutations were over, II have come to
you for a little further accommodation;
as You call it. and in this instance / will
term it an accommodation myself
even though dearly bought. | have
come to that point where must have
money from some source. even if |
have TO steal it, and | want 20 know
If you couldn't possibly make a slight
advance on my loan. The farm is un-
doubleday perfectly good for more than
double what is now on it. and Won
could surely let me have fifty dollars
more. at least. Come. Scrapgs. can't
you do IL under the circumstances?"
Scraggs made no reply further than
10 shake his head slowly in the mega
tive. ''Scraggs," said John. lit is n
matter of life and death. must have
money or my wife will die, and Won
must let me have il. You must, do you
hear? | can't get it anywhere else, and
you must let me have tt
IL was long time before Scraprs
spoke. and then he delivered his words
slowly. and there was tinge of sadness
in his voice SO foreign to him that IL
sounded strange even TO his own ears.
mr. Green" said he, 81 sympathize
with you, and were il in my power TO
/ aid you with loan I'd do il gladly.
But it is not. You know that the money
l control is eastern capital. and ! have
rules 20 govern me-rulcs that are not
of my making and dare not overster
them or vary from them in the least.
have had other petitions such as yours
I from the settlers Of the plains, and in the
/ hope OF being able to accomplish some.
| thing for those people, have written
/ % the company whose money have
laying the true state Of affairs open q
7 them. and begging them Co make NOR,
+ liberal terms so that these unfortunate
7 people might have a chance 20 live
through these close times"
~ this point Scraggs happened e.
F glance up and his eyes met those OF
. Pearson. The latter was scowlinO and
looking daggers and shaking his head
angriiy 90 Scraggs, but the agent paid
no attention 20 these gestures. and went
on.
II have exhausted every means In
the effort 90 induce these capitalists a.
show liberal spirit 90 the settlers. bu,
u has been all In vain. They saw cd.
vance no more money under any cir
. rfr