The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-25

supported the little cottage l saw great
tank filed with water, intended. doubt
less, for the use OF masons, but as yet I'M
sullied. / FASTENED to it. / united the
tape that bound my poor pen-and-ink
sketches together, and fastened ii to the
bomb and lowered it gently-oh, so very
gently-to the bottom of the cask Again
sighed in thankfulness as [ stood there
with the line in my hand, like one seek
ing his luck-alas, that sigh was changed
intn gasp-that luck was found in all
its horrible proportions There were
horrible STEPS behind me, heavy hand
was laid on my shoulder! / turned and
confronted a policeman, and, oh, such a
big one He seemed TO fill the lot and to
look over the surrounding buildings I
he had not overlooked poor mel
And this big policeman with many ono
matopoetic additions, called me "blath-
ering anchorite,n meaning thereby, pre-
sumo, an anarchist" and asked me
whether | couldn't knock Off work with
out knocking down houses and babe me
'kem along wild yez, ;, all the while twist
ing his huge fist in my cellar in a manner
most grievous TO feel and to relate. |
tried explanation, but he might as well
have been a dozen facts as the highly I'M
pleased che he was, he was so stubborn.
| was about to yield from pressure, when
a cracked tremulous voice cried "Wait
a bit, oilcer" and out from the side
door Of the cottage and down fight Of
steps came an eager old man, tall, spare,
bent, with a long white beard. 1t was
old Smithers, the father of my adored
Annabelle.
What was he doing there2 Could it be
that he was the "curmudgeon" who had
driven the workmen away through 'mean
tricksf" What, indeed more likely1 He
owned much real estate; he was always
building and buying and selling, certainly;
and he spoke as one having authority. and
the oficer seemed TO admit his right
"Im sure the young man intended no
wrong" he began. "Now, my good
friend, don't you think that the ends Of
justice would be subserved IL you should
deliver him into my hands, Such a likely
young fellow! ! could reason with him,
sou know, and expose the folly Of his
course. Come, come, Mr.. Officer, take
this tor your pains; and don't you think
that your duty calls you 10 that fre4"
And old Smithers, old Smithers Of all
men, actually slipped bill into the oni-
GERS willing palm
why. there is a fire, isn't there2' OK
claimed this sturdy guardian OF the peace.
II must be off" And or he went with
out once looking back
Old Smithers turned 10 me with a man
ner strangely oDsequious. "NOw, then,
young man, he said, you see I'm not n
bad sort Of a fellow. You would have
got twenty years for this job, you would.
Don't you think its a shame for so many
men TO conspire against one poor old
feeble man, VINO is only trying 20 do his
best with his slender mcansi II ] were
rich. I would willingly pay whatever the
men want, and more; but ] haven't got
IL; / can'taGOrd i'll And all these threats,
they drive me nearly mad. You really
ought 10 respect gray hair and imfrmity,
you dh0T. Come now, promise me that
you will tell your mates how mistaken
they have been, and what good, gener-
Gus man ] am. Come now promise me,
and shake hands 0n II, and you may 80.
"Whatih he screamed as be noticed my