The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-09-08

burning chimney against the gray SKY,
white as feathers from a swans breast
when they crossed the dark branches
and trunks of the forest trees; the nrst
snow of winter that was. and whiie ~
made the birds creep into the close
places of the hedges, and the ola IoiAs
think about their rheumatics as they
drew near TO the fire, it only made the
Young folks and children laugh mer-
rily as they sought the open lanes 10
watch the downpour. while tney
thought of the fun the morrow wouia
bring them II the storm kept ike tnat
all night.
But Jack Bridges did not seem TO
relish this aspect of nature, although
he was young enough to have done SO.
as he sat shivering inside his great
coat on the front seat of the dog-cart
which was taking him from the station
To his native village, but then be haa
been abroad for the past three years,
and was at present bringing back sad
news of death and that always Is
is enough to make man shivery anu
miserable looking.
After he had seen his own people ne
had to face the parents OF his chum'
Tom Naylor, and break to them the
news OF their sons death and burial
in a strange land; he had also to face
the sweetheart of his chum, ANNE
Holmes, and tell her what might per-
haps break her heart, that is II the
money he was bringing to her from
her dead lover failed to console her 1or
the loss of the man himself. Iheretore
uncertain about his reception, he sal
now beside the driver gnawing the enc
of his long tawny mustache, with the
lappits of his furry coat drawn over nj
ears. while he watched the coming
down of those flakes so long stranger
tothim.
He was once more in old England
and coming to his own place wealth.
man. which he had left three year
before along with his friend and scnoo
mate. and only Ave pounds betweei
them over and above their passag
money. They had gone to Austrian
md taken to gold digging, and ate
two and q half years OF colonial har
lines and vicissitudes they had at ia'
found fortune in a lucky claim. Isl
with the strange irony OF fate, IL
hole which had enriched them hs
prcved the death and grave of POI
Tom. leaving Jack as his legatee
rarrv home the riches they hi
worked so hard for and do Justice to b
memory.
They had both mad their wills VIII
.ba claim showed signs of yielding
L. &c fpiA daA
Jack had acted like the honest feiit
he was and divided their joint forth
equally, twenty Thousand poun
for himself, and twenty thousand
Two PARTS. one half to go to the swe
b.ort who was left disconsolate, Q
the rest TO the father and mother "
would see their son no more this s
OF the grave.
Honest Jack Bridges bad hard Il
before him on this early winter All
Noon for he had to recount how
,.ft his dead friend far away from
iIization, with the trouble they ma.
vet there together, and the terri
hardships he had endured In the
ting away from that desoiate ana u
oI.;m. and doubtless he was think
mon this as he regarded the bi
skv. with fixed stern, gray eyes, WI
he kept chewing at the ends OF n's U
tache.
AZ last the dog-cart drove up to
bovhood's home, and his fond pare
we've blest with the sight OF their =
.hsent son, now tall, handsome,
canned man, albeit the suffering
had endured had left their traces,
he he'd bad cough, and croucnee
gether as he got as near to the bia
are as he could, His face loo
,,;nched and careworn, but ne
rich man now. spd could make him
and his parents comfortable al
lives. therefore they trusted tina
would soon lose that nervousness,
be again the jovial Jack OF yore.
He had duty to perform, SO As
rs he had answered . few OF his fris
numerous questions, he went on =
supper was getting ready, 70 s.
pare..ts and sweetheart OF poor
lie fold his story sisnpiy and mani
and then left them to digest then
row and examine the bank 9
which he had placed in their hano
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