Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-10-07

and piece of homc-baked ginger
bread I'm sorry | spoke SO cross :
you; but, you see, | was vcxcd TO SC
the dinner pic gone, and the cup Gus
iardsSioo. Aud here arc the clothes
I'm afraid you need them very much
"Ikank you," said the man, defect
ediy.% Sou see, haven't always
"Ob. never mind all that" inter
rupted Matty, lmpcriously. al know
aboy having seen better days. an,
that sort of thing. But you reall,
oughtIto be a little more particular
about the truth"
Uneonsciously Matty had fallei
into tl,e air that she adopted when sIl,
was haranguing her Sunday-sclioo
class. j Her bright eyes sparkled; she
emphasized each point by tapping hel
foot on the ground and lifting hei
berry-stained forefingcr in the air.
"Yes. but"
"Ycu should go to work." said the
girl. s.You can't expect always to
tramp about the country. 1t will end,
sooner or later, in the county Jail, and
you are too smart-looking a man to
bring Gp like that"
The man, eating his bread and meat
and drinking his coffee, listened meek
ly untieshe stopped for sheer lack OF
breath.
aYcF said he, with sigh. "Dut,
you SCI, I'm not tramp. Oh, l
know appearances arc against mc!''
as Maity's glance reverted to his
wretched tatters; ''but | really am
not tramp You sec"
The sound of approaching wagon
wheels startled the girl.
"Oh, dare sayl7 said shc. "Dut
really can't stay any longer talking.
must get back. Here's quarter
for you Mind you don't spend it for
beer"
And Ausing the coin towards lc
f-|rr Ififsse'dl rs ann itncr rurEn 10 ithe
foot of old Deacon Jobley's grave
stone. whence the man rescued it with
prompt dispatch-she vanished back
into the wood-patli and was seen no
more.
Half all hour later, Squire Somer-
set, examining pile of law papers in
his office, was startled by the sudden
appearance Of tall figure in his door
way.
"Noihing for you, my mango
alongw said he curtly, without look
ing up.
"That's always the way!" sighed a
resigned voice. ''ll's Move on!
wherever go. But I've 'movcd on
just about far enough, old mani"
And he perchcd himself composedly
OH the office desk.
The squire stared.
"Thc voice." said he, ''is the voice
of Frank Atherton, and the counte-
nance also bearcth witness thereto!
But the faded corduroys and the vel
vetccn coat are the coat and corduroys
of old Job Vernon, who died two
years ago. Old fellow" (clasping
him cordially by both hands) "you'rc
welcomed Where on earth did you
drop from? For-not to disguise the
truth honestly did take you for a
tramp!"
81 meant to give you SURPRISE"
said Mr.. Athefton, still in the same ac-
cent of melancholy composure. "And
I've every reason to think that have
succeeded. | left Wyndalc TO walk
into Glcn's Falls, and mile OF SO be-
low here the river meandering through
tho woods looked So enticing that |
ventured OH a bath, just at sunrise.
Unfortunately, however. | was not
the earliest bird going. Some deep
dyed villain, while | was disporting
myself in the lucid cement, stole my
clothes leaving nus, of dirty rags
behind. Then was a tramp in spite
of myself, and such lecture | got
from pretty maiden at farmhouse
on the road However, she gave me
something TO eat, between her pieces
of advice, also this wardrobe, and
when the express delivers my trunk, |
shall be al right-Richard will be
himself again!'
"She gave you those clothcs?'
'tShe did"
"Then," said Squire Somerset, slap
ping the table until the legal docu-
ments flew in all directions over the
floor "you'vc been lcclured BY Nlatty
Vernon, the prcttiest girl in town
old jobs niece, and the owner of
pair of superb black eyes and tho best
farm in Warren Countyp
"Yes." mournfuily aeceded Athcr-
ton. "She told me that ought to go
to work, and hen threatened mo with
the county jail, and iinally-bless her
dear little hesrl!--cn,led up by giving
me-;hisn
lie produced from the pocket of
Unc'c job Fernor's trowsers a silver
quarter.
The squire grinncd broadly.
"IIcrc comes the express delivery