The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-03-05

at distance, and you were reminded
OF red Indian on the trail. Catch sight
Of him suddenly close at hand, and his
siding. furtive carriage made you anx-
ious about your pockets or watch guard.
BY his own account Bill was 10 years
old, but he had the wizened face of
senility; his hairless cheeks hollow
over tooth gaps, his nose mere cartilage,
his small eyes a.blink, yet as eager ns
those Of hungry animal.
For more than mile be ran along by
the laden cab. and seemingly. without
much effort when II drew up in front
Of comfortable house. Bill sprang TO
the door of the vehicle.
you'll let pore young fellor help
with the luggage, lydyf I've ran all the
wy from Victoria"
He painted his mendicant humility,
and with grimy paw shook drops from
q scarce visible forehead. The fair
young matron regarded him with pain
ed, compassionate look.
lyon have run all the way from Vic
toria? Certainly you may help, of course
You mayl"
She alighted, entered the house. and
stood there in the hall watching Long
Bill as, with feverish energy, be assist
ed a servant to transfer trunks and par
GELS. Relatives pressed about the lady,
but she could not give them due atten-
ton.
''Look at that poor creature! he has
followed my cab all the way from Vic
toria, just to earn few pence. Oh,
these things are too dreadful"
The simple heart OF this lady was a
law unto itself. She had possessions,
and spoke with authority. In happy
moment, Long Bill had pursued the
wheels Of her cab Holding money in
readiness. she talked with him. Could
he not get work? What was his story?
Where did he live? To every question
Bill made fluent reply, painting oft, and
squeezing the rag which served him for
headgear. Work! Only give him the
chawncel See what it was to be rigidly
honest; not since yesterday ct this time
had a morsel of bread passed his lips.
Work. He threw up his eyes in appeal
to powers supernal
"Come and see me tomorrow at ~
O'Clock"
His immediate wants provided for,
Bill passed the evening in contempla
tion. He felt no prompting to impart
to any one the wonder that had befallen.
Very pupctually next day did he pre-
sent himself at the area door of the
comfortable house. and silently he was
IL To- fol co.
him. To varions searching questions he
again answered with q tremulous candor
which had its full effect. Then, bidding
him listen and perpend, the lady offered
her suggestion. Far away from London,
| in a very beautiful country, she had
house, with gardens and fields, and
there, il so ii pleased him, William
could support himself honorably by the
labor of his hands--could learn the
rural life, could gain health and
strength, could forget the horrors Of his
| early years. Was William disposed to
consider this? The head gardener, an
| estimable man, would direct and en-
| courage him. He would receive wages,
and eat the bread Of independence
What said her
William once more threw up his eyes,
and, in very truth, knew not how to re-
spond, but his face answered for him.
| Very well; he should have this chance
| Of proving his sincerity In q day or
| two the arrangements would be COM
| plete. Let him come again. at a time
| appointed, and be in readiness TO quit
London. Meanwhile he must purchase
| the decent clothes Of q laboring man !;
herewith, money for that purpose Let
him be faithful, and the sun of happi-
ness would henceforth shine upon him.
In less than aweek behold Long Bill,
answering now to the name Of William
| Higgs, transplanted to quite new
sphere Of existence. His lodging was in
the cottage of farm laborer. His duties
led him to the kitchen gardens of the
| old manor house, where Mr.. Brown,
| grave and suspicious, set him primitive
tasks with the fewest possible words.
William looked as though he had fallen
| from the moon. He was vastly uncom.
| Portable in his clean. new clothing. He
stared at everything and everybody. BE
stood on guard against possible attacks
aud kept wondering whether IL he
| climbed to the top of a hill not far away
! be would be able TO see London. Tho
! fact that he had travelled for three hours
by an express train did not affect this
speculation. Never in his life had vii.
liam felt so hopeless. so purposeless.
BY the directions Of his benefactress
he was abundantly fed. and such adj
vantage did he take of this novel expert
ence that on the second day he began TO
suffer from au alarming disorder. A Sc
| we're pain opposed his breathing, and
his heart thro! bed violently. At length,
| utterly overcome. he lay Rasping rs II
for life. A doctor had 10 be summoned
Soon there followed a second and 10
less violent attack. William had secret
| ~ eaten two largo cucumbers and
pound of cheese. He paid tho penalty.
Work. from the first not only dis;esteful,
but difficult, was fer some days inipossi-
| Die.
Presently ID appeared that he had
caught n very bad cold lie was threat