Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-09-09

vicinity by another pathway. hastily
bidding Sergeant Berry rest awhile In
the porch he ran to overtake his
brother-in-law. In few words ne
related to Sam all the old soldier had
told him, and concluded by saying:
"And now, Sam. for the old ColonePs
sake, let US give him rousing well
come"
Sam, in his cool, calculating way,
looked over to the old figure in the
porch, shabby and travel stained. even
10 the distance. and then repied:
why, John, what an impulsive Great
nre you arel That old vagabond means
nothing else in the world than TO quar-
ter himself upon US.
II don't think So" answered John,
quite nettled, "but If he did 1t should be
but trife to one as rich as yourself"
"Rich, rich, rich!" cried Sam; There
you 90! Rich. indeed! I'll venture, by
my soul, you're thinking | should have
given Mary a portion. She married a
beggar, and gave her beggar's por-
tion."
samuel Smith," retorted John, with
flashing eyes, Al came over this after
noon to see you about the white COW
which Mary wanted. Fortunately, just
as you choose 10 take it, l fell in with
this old man. Your course has been
such that have no further business
with yoa; In all likelihood l shall never
again cross the threshold OF your door. !"
please yourself about that" re-
turned Sam; land be sure you don't
leave your old pauper behind"
John Jackson was scarlet with shame
and wrath when he reioined Sergeant
Berry.
"Come, Sergeant" he managed to
say; well keep right on home now.
The old soldier gave him a quizzcal
look, but said nothing, only stepping
asseutingly by his side. When again
thew reached thu meadow field John
deliberately took down the supports OF
the scarecrow and, carefully removing
the regimentals, rolled them into q
bundle, which be placed under his arm.
Il wish, Sergeant" he remarked, as
be Joined the old man, who hud watch
ed his proceedings approvingly from
little distance, II wish | had some sort
of conveyance for you: you must in
deed be weary. However, il you will
follow me over this stile l think | can
shorten the distance for you. Mary
will be looking for me fly this time.
She is the dearest, the best OF women;
very much like her mother, yet has
look of the old Colonel, too. See that
light-it is not tar off now"
Thus talking kindly and cheerfuiiy,
John endeavored to beguiIe the old man
OF his WEAKNESS till at last Pegg's Hol-
low was gained, and Mary stood wait
ing in the twilight at the gate.
MARY" said John, 81 have brought
you Sergeant Berry, the comrade In
war and friend in peace OF your father.
You have heard him speak OF Sergeant
Berry, l have no doubt"
Indeed, have" replied Mary. "Do
come in; il is almost like seeing father
again to meet with one who knew him
so we'll"
She gave him her hand and drew him
gently toward the house, where well
coming blaze from the open fireplace lit
up the gathering night.
Take this chair" she continued,
fathers chair! You see, he spent his
last wears with John and me, SO 1t Is
really his home TO which we welcome
you. He was parslyzed on the SHE you
| know, and sat almost constantly where
you are now sitting; but, oh, he was so
kind, so patient, that l never could tell
YOU how much we missed him from that
! chair"
While she was speaking a fat four
year.old boy, rolling on the floor with a
! kitten, tottered to his feet, and looking
meditatvely at the old soldier few
seconds. ran toward him, shouting,
"Danpa! danpaH
Sergeant Berry lifted the child to his
| knee, where the little fellow began
| playing with the sergeants brass but
tons and ended by putting both chubby
arms about the old mans neck and lay
ing his curly head fairly down on the
old blue coat.
Mary thus left them and went Into an
adjoining room TO prepare supper.
! Here John, having concealed the old
| regimentals in the spare bed room,
sought her. OF his meeting with the
old soldier, OF the grief and disappoint-
ment of the latter on learning Of the
death of her father, and OF his lonely
and perhaps destitute condition, John
told Mary everything, but Of the
! scarecrow and Sans ungenerous con-
duct he said nothing. When he had
concluded Mary said:-"Well, I'm & lad
to meet him, aud if he has no money
and no friends, John, and will stay with
us, let US keep him. was used TO
| father being with me, you know, and
my heart warns toward his dear old
| friend"
81 have no objection, Mary" assent
ed John; "the cost of mis- keep will be
very little, l judge, and when l come
home al night the dear old CoIonel's
| empty chair always saddens me-"
When thew returned 10 the sitting
room the boy was fast asleep in the old
mans arms.
He's too heavy for you, sergeant"
said the father. lifting the child TO his
crib, land now, Mary, let us have tea. "
After supper Mary asked the SER
geant II he smoked. because, il you
do" she subjoined, there's fathers
pipe on the mantel, just as be left it,"
Silently the old soldier took his dead
comrades pipe, and after filing it,
stopped to get a coal from the hearth.
How happy l ami excleimed Mary.
"Oh, Segeant Barry, why can you not
make up your mind to stay with US for
good and all? See, there's fathers
crutch in the corner-I see you limp a
little; there's his Bible, with his last
place marked-everything seems wait
ing for you"
The veteran looked across at his
colonel's daughter, his eyes beaming
with a grateful loving light, but the
next moment that spark was quenched
in swimming tears. he felt himself at