Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-06-17

~ sequeHte oi tnlS
Dnh contracted area is
u.s. y A that whatever hap
~ pens III one corner
of the county is noised over every
part of it, and that the affairs of every
person in the county are intimately
known to every other.
In one of the fifty parishes, which
shall not be named, because to name it
is unessential, lived youth named
Joseph Samuel Wardley. He was the
son of blacksmith, was an able
bodied, fne-looking fellow, broad
shouldered, broad breasted, with light
red hair, and eyes that seemed to have
fallen into the copper when his mother
was washing, and to have had the color
boiled out of them, so light We're they.
Joseph Samuel Wardley was-if viz
tue consists in series of negatives
most exemplary character He didn't
swear, he didn't drink, he didn't quab-
BILE with his fellow-men. If, however,
virtue consists of positives, then it
would be hard to say what Joseph
Samuel Wardley was distinguished for
his virtue for, as matter of fact, it
would be hard to say what Joseph
Samuel Wardley did that was good.
He was slow in his movements, slow in
taking in ideas, slower in making use
OF them when he had received them
into his brain.
He had worked with his father at the
forge, but his father feared that he
would never make q blacksmith. as he
tired the horses out and made them
FESTIVE before he had shod all their
four feet. Then Joseph Samuel was
sent co work on farm, but he was so
slow at the pillow that the farmers
would not retain him in their services
1t was said that Joseph Samuels was
always asleep. This was not exactly
true. Joseph Samuel was so drowsy
and indolent over his work by day,
that he was never sufficiently exhaust
ed by his efforts to enjoys sound sleep
MT night. He was half asleep by day,
he was half awake by night There is
nothing 50 conducive to all-forgetting
sleep as the exercise of the full ener-
gies by day. Joseph Samuel did not
put forth even one-half of his energies
by day. The other half remained to
disturb the tranquility of the night
consequently he was light sleeper,
and sometimes it was as doubtful
whether he were asleep at night, as it
was doubtful whether he were awake
by day.
As he was dismissed from the plow-
tail, he returned to his father, who
employed him to work the bellows
which kept his fire going in the forge.
But" as the farrier said "a chap
can't go on all his life blowing bel
lows | must find some profession or
trade for which he is suited "
Accident or Fate seemed to give the
requisite indication. The father of
Joseph Samuel had been an industri-
Gus man all his life, and it was believed
that he had amassed money. He had
no dealings with the bank at Oakham;
that was well known. Where. then did
he keep his money? 1t WAS whispered
That, singularly enough, whenever he
had received payment of heavy bill,
Mr.. Wardley was observed to mount
ladder to put straight, as he said, one
of the tiles in his roof that was out of
place and let the water through. That
the coincidence was noticed, and was
matter of discussion. never oc-
CURED TO the blacksmith. The last time
he brought in his bill to the Squire it
was for the sum of five-and-twenty
pounds and some odd shillings. No
sooner had he received the money than
It was remarked tile was again loose
IN his roof
One night that Joseph Samuel lay
awake, unable by any means to induce
sleep-such as by counting sheep 60
ing through gap in the hedge, re-
peating his catechism, listening to the
Hnores of his parents in an adjoining
room-he thought he hearda sound on
the tiles, as if some one was engaged
repairing the roof He got out of bed,
peered through the window, and SAW
by the light of n crescent moon that
ladder was set against the house, and
that pair of legs were visible ON the
ladder.
AS Joseph Samuel was inclined for
activity all night, and was prompt then
IN his resolutions, which was not the
case by day, he stole downstairs on
tiptoe, and opened the back door
softly. He was in his robe de mutt.
That did not matter. The air WAS cool
but not frosty, and no rain was falling
ae was at the back of the house-the
opposite side to that at which the
ladder was set up, and where he had
observed the legs. He knew where
his father kept ladder He went
bare footed to the spot, removed the
house, planted at the back of the
ladder climbed up it without causing
The smallest noise, and succeeded in
nnaking his way cautiously up the tiles
till he reached the ridge of his fathers
roof. Holding to the ridge tiles, he
heaved himself up by both hands
breast high above the ridge-piece
Then he saw what was being done on
the further side
Two men were there. One was on a
ladder and held another by the ankles
who had scrambled onto the roof.
The latter was lifting tile after tile and
feeling under each, obviously expect
ing to find and carry OFF the farrier's
store of savings.
Joseph Samuel Wardley did not hes
itate for moment what to do. With
perfect presence of mind, and great
energy as well as courage, lie said
.'Ro 20
The robbers were staggered. They
locked up, saw a semi-white figure ris-
ing above the roof, glowering at them.
Their nerve gave way. He who was ON
the ladder let go the ankles of the man