The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-10-14
Her FATHERS VICTIM.
A STORY OF
WESTERN LIFE
By
THOMAS ?. MONFORT.
Paul AND LOUISE

and with her mothers aid she studied
them well and faithfully. She had at
tended school sufficiently back east to
lay the foundation for q fair education,
and, being bright-rninded and quick to
learn, she made excellent progress with
her studies and bid fair to gain . good
education even under such Unfavorable
circumstances.
Mary was a good scholar and well
adapted to the duties Of teaching, and
she never tired Of aiding Louise. Then
Paul came over quite frequently OF
evenings and he was not by any means
averse to giving such assistance as lay
in his power. In fact he was so anxious
to teach Louise and pursued the task
with such diligence and earnestness
that it was apparent that he de-
rived fully as much pleasure, If not
profit, from it as Louise did. Paul
was q most exemplary teacher, and
nothing was too difficult or too hard for
his efforts so long as it was for LouiSe's S
good. He never wearied Of explaining
dry, tough arithnetical problems or Of
conjugating juiceless verbs. But 1t
must be remembered that Pauls pupil
was select one, and it is more than
probable that almost any young man,
feeling as he did, would have done
equally well, or at least labored with
fully as much zeal.
Louise not only progressed IN her
studies, but she spent some very happy
evenings, and thesremaining months Of
winter passed off much more pleasantly
than she had anticipated. John and
Mary always welcomed Paul to their
house, and as they came to be better ac-
quainted with him they grew to liking
him more and more. he was Of happy
disposition, and he had way Of max
ing people forget their sorrows and
troubles, and often he chirked John up
out Of a fit Of downheartedness and
brought q smile to his lips and twinkle
Of pleasure to his eyes. Paul made it a
point to take the cheerfulest view Of
the future, and sometimes he went OFF
into the widest flights of fancy in
speaking Of what he contemplated ac-
complishing for himself. His dreams
were extravagant, but dreaming them
was better than repining.
Paul had studies Of his own. he
was reading medical works and was
going to be doctor. BE had taken one
course at medical college and hoped
to return the next fall to take another
if he was fortunate enough to raise q
crop on his claim and get money
to pay his way. His sole possession
was the claim, and he could mortgage
That as Green had his, ''on long time and
easy terms" but he hoped to have q home
ere long for himself and Louise, SO he
hesitated to raise money in that way.
Old Markham had monsy, but be was
opposed to Paul's plans, and he refused
to let him have dollar on any kind OF
terms.
s.It's all blamed foolishness," Mark
ham said, this idea of studying to be q
doctor. never got no fool notion that
Twas too good to work for q honest
lyin', an by jinks, I amt goin' to
furnish no money to help on anybody
that has got sich notion. Paul kin
study medicine if he wants to, but he
kin do it at his own expense. I amt
in on maxim gentlemen out O fellers
that 'ud better be at work tillin' the
sell. Not bit amt, an by jinks I
won't do it, nuther."
But Paul's design was not to be
thwarted by that sort Of talk, and he
resolved to work his own way. He
planned TO raise a crop and get The
means to continue his study that way
il possible, and, if the crop failed again,
he would mortgage his land.
So the winter passed and the spring
came, and a soft, warm haze lay
over all the endless stretch of prairie.
Again the poor settlers brought out
their plows and set to work to break
the soil and plant the crops, full Of hope
anaco2feeacc. With the return of the
bright spring sunshine, came back the
grant expectations that ever buoy up
the hearts Of honest. struggling NOR
tails, and the faces Of the pioneers shed
thesloud Of fear and doubt that had
hung over them like q dark mantle.
John Green was among the moro in
dustrious and persevering Of all the
farmers in his section. He began work
early, and every day he was IN his field
plowing and planting. He had : double
incentive to work, for his family must
live and that debt on the farm must be
paid. He went at it cheerfuuy, and as
I..a,os = ~ = --,, ,,-ocs +In Tcl5 ~,
the long furrows, singing blithcly, no
one would have guessed what pangs Of
trouble had racked his soul all through
the long, tedious winter. He was not
Of brooding disposition, and even un-
der the most trying circumstances he
could feel cheerful so long as there was
ever so dim a ray Of light before him.
He had work to do now, and there was
prospect Of good results, so he felt
confident once more, and in the thought
of the bright future which his fancy
painted he lost sight Of the hardships OF
the present.
'.It is a long lane, Mary" he some
times said, that has no turn. and be-
lieve IN our case the turn IS near at
hand We have had a long siege OF mis-
fortunes, but think we have about
reached the end OF the list. The pros
poets are Gattering for an abundant
crop, and with the amount Of stuff |
have IN cultivation we only want fair
yield to enable us to pay off the mort
gage and have plenty left to tide Us
over the year. Wen come out al right
yet, and within 6. short time be COM
fortably fixed with a good home and
plenty Of everything to live on. Why,
what's little hard times, anyhow? It
don't amount to anything and is soon
over. and it don't h2r: US any, but only
makes us appreciate our good fortunes