Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-17
really shot him. You know that, don t

ConyuS asked her again what trouble
had brought her out alone in such a
storm
Well, said she, you see, we
couldn't get no place to stay over in the
next county, and l had my team and
wagon-that IS all had left-and made
up my mind as how 1 would try my
luck over west Of here, instead of east,
and thought as how might get work
in the new county seat, too, maybe, and
so set out for over there When | got
down below here about two miles, one
OF my horses took sick, and l couldn't t
go any farther, and then night came on,
and so I stopped there Then the storm
came up, and we didn't have any place
to go but under the wagon, and we got
drenching wet, and my poor little ones
began to cry, and I was touched for
them, and l thought as how it would be
best to swallow down my pride and
come up here and ask you to take us in
for the night, because knew how kind
you are-just my little ones l don't
mind the rain myself Itwon't hurt me
any. And then started with the baby
in my arms and left the others under
the wagon, but the storm was too hard,
and the wind blew too strong, and so
put her back with the rest of them and
came on alone, just carrying the lantern
to show the way, and it almost went
out for me, too, but it was well that
did come, because
'Oh, never mind me, said Conyus
as he anticipated what she was about to
say, but you just stay right here, and
I'll go down for your kids. AS the man
said this he endeavored to rise to put
his words into action, but the pain
pulled him down again
Well, I guess I can't, he said,
but, stranger, turning to me, if you
go down and help Mrs Brown, I'll
manage to take care of myself for
awhile. Yes; that's right. Iknowed
you would. You're the right sort,
stranger.
"And SO went out and hitched up
my team, and in few minutes Mrs.
Brown and myself were ON the road to
find her little family, as I supposed. We
had hardly started when she began to
extoll the virtues of Martin Conyus,
repeating every few sentences:
He wouldn't "a shot you, doctor.
He's a right good man-too good for
that.
Presently flash of lightning re-
vealed the refuge of the little Browns,
and we soon had them ready to start.
We hitched the woman s team, her horse
having recovered, to her wagon and led
them behind my carriage. Mrs. Brown,
her baby and myself occupied one seat,
while the rest of the tribe, four sturdy
youngsters, rode in the wagon behind.
We soon reached the house again, where
left Mrs Brown and the younger chill
dren, going myself with her Oldest
boy, little fellow of perhaps 9 or 10,
to put up the horses.
"On entering the house I found Con-
yus somewhat easier and Mrs. Brown
faithfully attending to his wants.
''The youngsters had settled them
selves in the kitchen and were already
doing away in the different corners of
the room.
''Mrs Brown and myself took turns
in sitting up with Conyus, as his burns
were SO serious that they required con-
tant attention.
"The next day went to look for ten
ants, taking especial pains to inform the
neighbors Of the occurrence in all its de-
tail They expressed great surprise Oh
learning Of Conyus' actions and spoke
Of him in the highest terms, both as
neighbor and as man, and several of
them dropped in to see him during the
next few days, and as 1 intended to
leave as soon as my work was accom-
plished, if possible, other medical at
tendance was secured by them.
81 had considerable difficulty in find
ing desirable tenant, and one morning,
few days after this event, Conyus said
to me, hesitatingly and embarrassed:
Or. Hapley, didn't apologize to
you yet, but I thought you knew I felt
it, and it's my rule that deeds are bet
ter than words, but suppose ought to
say so, too, and I tell you now that ]
am sorry for what I did that night,
but I didn't mean it and I wouldn't "a
shot you anyhow, and now, if you don't
mind, II want to tell you something.
Now you amt found any one to take
the farm for you, and there amt any
one can take 1t as well as I can, and so
if YOU don t care-Mrs. Brown-well,
doctor, to make long story short, Mrs
Brown and I have concluded to be mar
ried as SOON as 1 can get out, and we
want you to let us have the lease, if you
don't mind, and we'll take good care of
the place, and if don't get strong
enough I'll hire the work DONE.
"Just then Mrs. Brown came in look
ing radiant and happy.
ST congratulated both of them, made
out the lease, to their great delight;
procured their license and brought the
minister from the neighboring town,
and the ceremony was performed the
same day.
"My business havil' 9 been finished,
left for the east shortly afterward, not,
however, without first receiving the
blessings of Mr. and Mrs. Conyus and
of all the little Brown-Conyuses
"But now, said the doctor as he
drew his chair back farther from the
fire, 81 suppose you would like to hear
the sequel. 1t was this: The farm was
heavily mortgaged, and during the hard
times that followed. two or three years
afterward, the load was more than l
could carry, and the place was about to
be sold under the mortgage. 1t repre-
sented every cent I had in the world,
and am free to confess that 1 felt de-
cidedly blue. But one morning recelv-
ed a letter from Conyus saying that he
had just learned of my trouble, and since
one good turn deserves another, and L
had helped him in his bad luck and
made him what he was, he wanted to
help me in mine. He inclosed draft
for the amount of the debt, saying that
he would lend me the money until I
could pay it back to him. 1t was all he
had, but he and Mrs. Conyus had got
ten it together and would be much
grieved if 1 did not accept it. With this
I paid the mortgage, making new one
to Mr.. and Mrs. Conyus.
"And all this goes to show, said the
doctor as he rose to go, "that there is
plenty Of good in the world, and that it
often appears in the most unexpected
places.