The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-29
BOUND SADLY HOME

leathern strap, suspending from his
shoulder his box of knavish wares, af-
fected military air and countenanced
his lies and receptions.
The face was not repulsive even now.
Some distinction appertained to the
heavy mustache, and the hollow be-
meath the high cheek bone, the crows
feet around the eyes, the tanned, weather
beaten ruddiness of his complexion,
might have betokened honorable service
In poisonous swamps or under burning
skies, instead of shifty, footsore wander
ings with alternate hours of want and
wickedness.
He dragged himself to the dusty grass
beneath the Give Ashes at the four
crossroads. He was faint, for the hill
had tried him, and sat painting with his
back against Il tree. Then he opened his
box and began rolling infallible pills be-
tween his filthy finger and thumb Their
composition was a secret, but doubtless
they did some people a lot of good.
For 20 years his heart had never sof-
tened with a sentiment, his soul never
qulckened with an aspiration, and now
his wandering eye, resting on finger
post across the road, mechanically read:
Upton. Leigh. Sutton-Darcy."
All so familiar once, and the last his
birthplace
strange impulse, absolutely unrea-
sonable, for recognition might still be
dangerous, took possession of him. An
irresistible desire to see the place again.
even though it Were by stealth at night.
From the boughs above his head came
the "pink! pink" of n chaflinch, and
through the filth and fog of IL quarter of
century of evil, indistinct in the fumes
OF drink and smothered in its own fulfil
1ty, CLEANED Il "Reminiscences clear and
sharp as the birds note:
AN old farmhouse matched and stone
built, with mullioned windows In the
garden tall pear tree, with yellow buds
ghstenlng Ill the early spring, and be-
meath youth with gun peeping to get
a shot. Then man in breeches and hose.
elderly, but hale, drawing half humor-
ously: Why. Jack, my bwoy! Thy shots
do bet off more buds than all the chat
fingers"
The old people must be gone now, for
Jack was the youngest and the favorite
i've and thirty years ago.
Muttering against his own folly, he
slung on his box and lmped along the
Sutton road.
At evening he entered "Tho Cups" an
inn on the outskirts of Sutton. Every
thing was as formerly--the same bench
and stools, the same oak settle by the
hearth. Two laborers playing at shovel
board called each other familiar names.
and the sngsong of their voices brought
back the past.
1,nt Il, IL.
asked.
"zutton," replied both Abs and Abe.
''A large village?'
Hidden 20 terrible large"
s'Small?"
"'Tidden 20 wonderful small"
Satisfied with the subterfugc of these
questions, he sat down and continued
eagerly:
"Any O. the name of Craddocll live
here now?'
"Craddocl, eh?" grinned Abs. "What
dost gay, Abe?'
"Noo fearr' said Abe.
He hesitated. But the longing to
know overcame his Judgment like the
craving of vice.
And the farm at the foot of the hill.
Who lives theref"
"Mr. Craddock, be sure. Warmer
William"
''When l came this way before, some
body-people called Sandford"-
"Ha! ha" laughed Abs. "Then you
be woldish bird, not Matched last sum
mer. Why. the old man have a-bin dead
these 20 year. An the maid married
Warmer William, an he took on the farm.
But years avore she thought to a-married
one Jack. But he took to hose racen,
30 ties said, an signed somebody's name
an bolted. Never didden hear no more
O. he. But you be old file. What dost
gay, Abe:"
''Noo fearl" said Abe
John Craddock nervously rose,
Strengthened his back and fell into his
familiar patter.
eyes. Pm an old soldier, wounded in
the trenches before Sevastopol and
starved at Cawnpoor, and when I'd split
my blood and ruined a fine constitution
In the service of my native land they
gave me my discharge and threw me
upon the world without penny. But,
happily, among the prisoners taken by
the British forces in that memorable war
was the private physician to the Rance
of Jhansi Seeing me writing with
rheumatism-tow which, gentlemen, 1 was
then martyr-his feeling heart confided
To me, under an oath of secrecy, the in
estimable blessing of never falling
remedy. These pills, gentlemen, taken
in time are reliable cure. If you have
ever seen crooked legs, stiff arms or