Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-07-21

of SCOT from a
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 hrst
snow of winter that was, and while II
made the birds creep into the close
places OF the hedges. and the old folks
think about their rheumatics as they
drew near to the fire, it only made the
Young folks and children laugh mer-
rilv as they sought the open lanes to
watch the downpour, while they
thought of the fun the morrow would
bring them if the storm kept like that
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
90 his native village, but then he had
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 a man shiyery and
miserable looking.
After he had seen his own people he
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, Annie
Holmes, and tell her what might per
haps break her heart, that is If the
money he was bringing to her from
her dead lover failed to console her for
the loss of the mar himself. Therefore
uncertain about his reception, he sat
now beside the driver gnawing the end
of his long tawny mustache, with the
lappits Of his furry coat drawn over his
ears, while he watched the coming
| down of those flakes so long strangers
| to. him.
He was once more In old England,
and coming to his own place a wealthy
man, which he had left three years
before along with his friend and school
mate, and only five pounds between
them over and above their passage
money. They had gone to Australia
and taken to gold digging, and after
two and a half years of colonial hard
lines and vicissitudes they had at last
found fortune in a lucky claim. But
with the strange irony of fate, Che
~ .uI..l. laI a-r,alnl thn,, Nd
proved the death and grave of poor
Tom, leaving Jack as his legatee to
carry home the riches they had
worked SO hard for and do justice to his
memory.
They had both made their wills wher
the claim showed signs of yielding q
return, and after his friends death
Jack had acted like the honest fellow
he was and divided their joint forum,
equally, twenty thousand pound
for himself, and twenty thousand il
two parts, one half to 60 to the sweet
heart who was left disconsolate, anc
would see their son no more this sid,
of the grave.
Honest lack Bridges had n hard tasl
befors him on this eariv winter sfter
noon, for he had to recount how h
Iaft h;s dead friend far awav from DIV
ilization, with the trouble they had t
get there topetbar and the terribl
1arashins he had endured in the ge,
ting away from that desolate and fata
claim and doubtless he was tbinkin
mon this as he regarded the blea
sir with fxad storm gr,v evas Will
no ,,ent chewing AT the ends ~ h;s mn,
taobe
At last the dop-cart drove nm to HI
bovhood's home, and his fond parent
we're blest with the sight of their Ion.
absent son. now n tall, handsome. su1
tanned man. albeit the suffering, h
had endured had left their traces, fc
he had a bad cough, and crouched t,
petler IA he got as near to the blazin
fire as he could. His face locke
p;ncbed and careyorn bu, he was
rich man now. and could make himse
and his parents comfortable all the
lives. therefore thew trusted that h
Womb loon lose that nervousness an
be again the ioyial Jack of wore.
He had n duty To nerform. 50 AS soo
as he had answered. a few of his friend
numerous ouestions. he went off whit
y sumner was getting ready. to see n
IL parents and sweetheart of poor Tor
ID lie told his story simply and manfull
a and then left them to digest their 81
OF row and examine the bank draf
. which he had nlaced IN their hands
: Ten thousand bounds to moor neonl
even With the news Of n death a
mixed tidinus Of rood and evil. r,
narents went for the son thew had In.
and nerhans ala not think much aho
tho legacv which be had ,eft a+ lao
not FOR tho frst NIGHT
with the sweetheart. nrettv Ann
Holmes. II was d~;fYerent. Three vea
Of absence from a GIRL who had n