Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-08-30

steward took the lamp from him, and
went up to the bed Of sacking and dry
leaves. of which the doors were foul as
q dung-heap. On it lay gaunt old
mans lifeieSs body. The old tree was
down: it numbered the SOL no more.
The steward examined the body. It
was still warm, but life was extinct; the
jaw had dropped; one c.enched, lean
hand was knocted in the white beard.
you have let him die aloneH' said
the young man with Indignation and
horror.
Alc,de grinned, showing his strong,
white teeth.
"Dying's the only thing no one grud-
ges our doing" he said with unabashed
Indifference. "What would You, sir?
We work all day. We can't wait on
sick sohls all night"
sick souls all night
your father be served TO you by your
SOnst"
Thank YOU. sir. Thank you kindly"
answered Alcide, which is the peasants
synonym for I'll pay you on, for that
before long"
II is frightful. Incrediblew murmur-
ed the yOung man. You knew he was
dying. and you left him alone, without
even a drop of water by his side!'
"He had his coffin 10 keep him SOM
pany." said Alcide, with a gr5wsOme
grin. Some have TO go naked into
the earth
He pointed to a corner IN which 4
box, roughly made from uIp,aned
planks. was leaning against the wall.
Hushr said the steward with au-
thOrity. Have you no sense of shame?
no feelings?-no remorse?'
Il have done nothing wrong, sill"
said Alc.de suddenly. Il didn't XII
him. Old age killed him."
And neglect
Alcide shrugged his shoulders.
Whether YOU hindered or FASTENED the
death o. a man so aged and so useless
could NOT matter much" he thought;
the deceased was eighty-three years Of
eye, and had long been a burden to
everybody.
It's more than ten years that he's
no. done a stroke of work" he repl ed
suienly, and yet he expected his
share in the pO,enta and the broth, just
for all the world as If he'd earned it.
The steward turned from him in dis
gust and pain. and rested his gaze on
worn. rugged form lying on its
bed OF sacking
About the door way, peeping and cur
iCus. the children were gathered.
us i all Over?" said their mother with
a whine
"It is all over indecdr said the stew
ard gravely. and with a flash of lO3,h-
ing in his blue eyes
AlCide's wife had the wit 10 see that
they were on the wrong track.
Good sir" she said with tears IN her
v0,c-, I'VE have done what we could,
but You know we are poor, poor, poor,
and now there will be no end of money
90 find for the burialand we ought to be
allowed 90 scratch a hole in the woods,
but YOU know the powers that be won't
ler u.s. and we have TO carry him all
the way to Cas.elmuOvO, and we must
borrow a neighbours mule. and when we
&c, there pay all the church and grave
yard dues, and Sacristan and sections
ticy live like carri0n flies getting fat on
cOTpseS-''
Hold your togue. you IDIOT said her
husband. For sure master here will
help us through all these troubles. He
knows how poor we are. Not a bit Of
bread sometimes all the hours through"
Il will be here early in the forenoon,
and will DO all that is necessary, said
the steward. let your women folks
cleanse and clOthe the body and watch
BIZ il through the night. You may be
poor. but poverty need not be brutality,
and y0u-yOu would make the wolves of
the steppes seem beside you angles Of
mercy"
Ills words were unintelIigible to his
auditors; but they understood that he
was offended and disguised with them.
They did not care a j0t for his opinion,
but they cared much for his purse.
Without even O. glance a. them, he made
the sign of the cross reveTently on the
brow and breast of the corpse, and in s.
lence went ont of the garnet; took VLe
Bride from the nail on the wall, led his
horse out over the doorstep and v2ul,ed
into the saddle.
NO. even a copper piece has he left
behind him, m0aned the woman.
Aicide stood On the threshold and
watched the form of the horssman van
shiGg into the blacl1ness under tAe trees.
He made a gesture as Of lifting he I'M
az:nary gun to his shoulder and point
ing il. "Eh?" ne said 10 his brother
Luci0.
Luci5. Wlo was Of the slower and
weaker temperament scratched his head.
Il don't say no.. he answered, but
It's always O. dangerous game to play at,
Dedi.'
"Pcobr said Alcide "The woods are
good friends: they never pirate. 3u.
one can wait Perhaps we shall get
something out Of him tomorrow.
The young steward rode through them
this dark night very slowly, for the road
was bad; but even in this cautious pas
sage through the almost impenerable
gloom hs nearly trampied on woman
VINO s,c0d n his way and cried 10 him
20 stop.
he could see nothing Of her except
the shine OF two great eyes as he struck
match in front of her.
lit is L. Mureilar she said quickly.
lis ne dead. sir?"
YES; your grandfather is dead" he
answered gravely, and he died alone
aud uoaiied, as l would not let a sick
steer die"
Gone without the holy oil? Gone
without shriye?-O Christ, help US" she
said in a voice of awe
He died as would not let q SEX steer
die repeated The rider.
4 had been to fetch the vicar of San
Vitale," she added; "twas the nearest,
bur he was away. ana The S9criS.aD