The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1894-11-30


But in moment the Quick-witted I
BOY guessed that Abe was also apply
ing for the clcrkship.
'l'm very sorry to interfere with
any of your plans, Abe. had no idea
that you were after this" lie said in
conciliatory tone.
lin sure you had not" said Abe.
Its all right, John, and just as it
ought to be. You have had more ex-
perience than l and you're sharper,
besides. I'm preety certain you'll get
it, and l hope you may"
1t was a pleasant autumn evening
and the boys enjoyed their walk along
the country road. They were within
a quarter of a mile of their homes
when Abe suddenly stood still.
"I'll have to 60 back to town, John,
I've forgotten something" lie ex-
claimed.
"What did you forget? Anything
important?"
"Yes, IA feather-a purple feather
for Grandmother Bates"
"Pshaw is that all 2" exclaimed
John Edgar, inclined to laugh at the
serious way IN which Abe regarded
his slip of memory. "Come," he con-
tinued, don't make donkey of your
self going back to town for feather
What on earth does the old woman
want with a purple feather?"
"She wants it for her bonnet" said
Abe, recalling Mrs. Bates Querulous
tone and general misgivings in regard
to his capacity. II said would get
it for her and donkey or not, I'll have
to go back"
"But | want to talk to you about
our office" said John. 'There are
many things | could tell you for your
future advantage"
"Thank you; ] should like to hear
what you have to say, but l hate tt
+ offer as an excuse for not doing a thing
S the miserable plea of forgetfulness."
4. "Nobody likes to forget, but it is
human failing, and what is the use o
e being crank 2" said john Edgar
somewhat disgusted.
Abe had great respect for hi
friends opinions on many subjects
: but in this case he felt that he mus
! think and decide for himself.
"I1l have to make my word goo
about that feather" he said. "Id b
: obliged if you would call at our hous
and tell mother why I'm so late"
2 "All right" said John. "Give m
your basket and I'll carry your pul
shases home for you"
And with this, the friends parted.
| 1t was quite dark when Abe reachc
: Dennytown, and it was not until b
had visited every trimming and M
: tion store on Main street, and con
: sumed a full hour, that he succeede
+ in finding a purple ostrich feather.
lie started homeward somewha
tired in body, but relieved in mint
: The night was clear and pleasant
: cool. The moon had risen, and it
soft light fell upon dark-green meat
ows and reaped cornfelds, and Ion
: lines of white fences. The neighbOl
n hood was not very populous; but her
$ and there twinkllng windows Q
c masses of dark shrubbery indicated
e farmhouse or the summer home 9
u some Dennytown business man.
Turning the corner Abe overlook
: pedestrian that had been in sight TO
y some time.
"You are brisk walker, my friend,
u said the man, whom Abe directly ret
), ognized as Mr. De Ware. 81 find
something of task to walk honl
J. every day, but my doctor has ordere
l. me to do so. Have you much farthe
to go?"
"Only to Grayson's," said Abe.
o "Ah, then you are Abraham Gray
e son? You are rather late gettin
u home are you not?"
n "Yes, sir. / happened to forge
i something that had promised to bu
IT for a neghbor until was nearly HON
and l walked back for it"
!, Mr.. De Ware seemed to take so muc
'e interest in Abe's business and aske
q SO many questions about his secon
u trip to the city that Abe was oblige
II to tell the whole story.
$50 you walked all that distance
+, buy a feather fora woman's bonnet
a. he finally said, with a note OF anus
X ment in his tone. "Well, is was
good deal of trouble to take for
Id small matter"
e, "But had assured the the old lac
ce that l would get it," said Abe, Ell
" boldened by his own clear pcrcepti'
IS of right, "and it didn't seem smi
rs matter to break my word"
Id Mr.. De Ware did not reply, and I
a. two walked on in silence. Abe wa
n, dered whether he had spoken
knowingly, or with an offensive tor
!" 1t seemed strange and little aw
to ward that the conversation shot
end so abruptly.
m "Good night, Mr.. De Ware" he 81
In. when they had reached the gate le;
,e. ing to his home.
ng swat a moment, Abraham, u
ID. the banker. II have something
SOL say to you. I understand that