The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-10-11

remembered that Louisa n. was somewhere
in the back of the store, and just then too,
tho throng of men had opened to admit a
yong fellow mo came across the porch at
a run, his hat off
Say he painted, the exhilaration of bad
news in his face, why say.-did any of We
hear about Paxton. He's went to work and
shot hisSe'f That Teller from huntsville was
talkin' to a raft of US outside PaXtOn's store
and we heard rifle so off up steers
in PaXton's room, and he tore up thar
and busted in the door and-Lord. wait till
l get my breath.-l got it from Smith
thet--
There was a little sound behind the hud-
die of men, a sound like sharp breath and
clatter of tin and II heavier resonance.
In front of the molasses barrel an over
turned quart measure and longnoSed tun-
mel rolled on the bare floor in lessening
arcs Nearby in the gloom of the inner
apartment something had fallen, something
which looked like Il limp heap of pink cali
co, and which as Fields lifted it trailed
tiaccid arms, its little neck letting the head
back in 4 sickening way Of Gfelcssness.
Outside the sunshine lasquered the river
with a milky CLEAN. A delicious blueness
misted distant hills and near by Fields
store Il bluejay flashed its wings, uttering
rasping cries Two men coming up the
road were laughing as they sauntered along
one, an elderly person. hopping MS face.
You scared me out of a years growth,
just the same he said. Il knew you were
acknowledgements, and when that shot
rang out-I-well | naturally thought you
had done for yourself. l Went up those
stairs four steps at time, shouting to those
fellows below to run for a doctor
Paxton gave a rather grim smile.
Il believe you re disappointed that 1t was
only chicken hawk i was firing att. he
said. Mrs Wick had just called to me
missing pullets lately"
So you let go. Say. Paxton, something
must be the matter down at Fields. Look.
isn't that Fields crossing the road? He's
carryi4gr,.it loo,,s like a woman.
Fields lived opposite his store in q white
cottage. Paxton, staring ahead, caught
vanishing glimpse of the old mans clumsy
figure, his arms overlooking with the spring
like freshness of Louisa Ms gown.
''Hello.' said fellow on the skirts of
the little group of men at the store steps,
as Paxton strobe forward. "1eh amt
hurried then? What's tibet? Oh, about
Fields-wsly it's Louisa NJ. She's, little
fainty. l believe. Some O them fool,boys
KEN in and blurted out about you bein'
wal the boy unly told what he herd
/ don't blame him-but Louisa NJ. she jest
swounded agin the merlasses bari and
Uncle Jimmy he" But Paxton was not
listening any longer. He had crossed the
road and gone up the little path to Fields's
front door, and he had gone with SO vague
a reconciliation that when Fields himself
numbered toward the threshold, look of
relief on his stolid face, the younger man
could only stammer at the reason OF his
presence.
''They were telling me-of her-of your
daughter-I wanted to ask"-after all he
stopped feebly enough and let Fields fill
out the sentence as he might
"She's all right, now, thanky, Mr.. Pax
ton" said Fields. I'VE got word az they
wasn't no truth in them reports" He
waved his hand behind him. She's in
Paxton had already seen her, the stern
Young foiler of his commercial prowess,
sitting back in a rocking chair, her lips
rather white, her eyelids dropping.
She managed to lift them as Paxton came
into the ROOM She even held her hand out
and glanced up at him just once. 1t was the
mercst half glance, but Fields, who CHANGED
TO be looking, had IL queer, unwOnted
sense of being startled
He went out, his jaw speculatively let
II wouldn't of believed" he pondered,
'sshe could of looked that sugarfied ut the
angel of Gabriel! L reckon l kin hev a
cyarden now! They won't need me i'll the
Store. She's business. Louis M. isl
The Champion Mean Man.
From The Boston Saturday Gazette
A very widely known clergyman in a town
near to New York had the misfortune lately
at the seashore on vain quest for health
His grief did not cloud his intellect He went
to the local railroad office and endeavored to
persuade the agent to send his wifes body
back to the city on her return excursion
ticket.