The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-11-18
it he was standing right over where I
/ IIo nhn,1k Ill Hnrn.nI

tramp as was ever seen in Georgia,
and to tell the truth, [ felt little
scared. He looked hungry, his cheeks
were hollow, his clothes were as shah
by as they could be, and the stain of
travel over the muddy roads made
him picture for villain. But he
was no villain. There was soon
mutual recognition between us, and
both were glad of the meeting. We
had known each other years ago, had
worked together, but there was little
in either one of us that would have
called to mind what We had been in
the years long agone; but there was
enoug gh, the voice, the twinkle of the
eye, something brought back rcmem
brance of each other, and we were
soon on our way to hunt and surprise
Brown.
1 had not intended to mention this
visit of our old friend, but it suits my
purpose so well as showing the good
ness that still remains in the world,
that I cannot resist. After we had
roustcd Brown from the hay loft, it
did not take long for him to hunt up
the visitor some dry clothes, and we
were all soon sitting by warm FIRE.
We let our visitor do most of the
talking. Chimes have went hard with
me-" he said. ''The change that you
see upon me has come by slow degrees,
but it has come very severely. Often,
lately, I have found myself hungry
and in want, but that is not the worst.
There are those dearer than life who
have went down with me, and they
must suffer too. Even this would not
bear so heavily upon me were it not
that know it to be all my own fault.
I let my opportunities slip on some
whim, and [ spent my earnings reck-
lessly. Just week ago l appealed to
a man that used to laugh at my jokes,
follow me in my revels and laud me
for being generous and whole-souled.
He scorned my appeal, and ordered me
from his house. He knew that he and
men like him were responsible, in
some degree, for my rags and degrada-
tion. but he could not afford to have
his business encountered by such a
load as my presence.
Something disturbed our converse
tion, and I was glad Of it, for it was
not of such bad things I wanted to
hear. In fear chat he would resume
in the same trend, I began at once to
give him some advice.
$50 right to Atlanta" [ said, sand
throw yourself upon our old friends
there-their same old Office still runs"
He shook his head. "You once had
their confidence, and you worked
faithfully ?"
II was young then-I am old now.
l gave them my work, they paid me
my wages we are quits, is the way
they will look at it-all business, all
business. "
After pause, he went on gloomily:
"Years ago they fell out with me
because I drank. It will take longer
to restore confidence than [ can ever
claim as mine. They would require
ten years to watch me before hiring
me, and in that time [ will not need
their help"
This was said in such despairing
tone that it impressed me that surely
"the way of the transgrcssor is hard,
but I kept on talking, and to make the
story short, I will tell just what did
happen.
/ went with him to his old employer.
Without the waste of many words, the
employer came out from his business
office and went with us to Muses.
clothing store and dressed our friend
out in a new suit. There was no hope
of reward in this good act, neither was
there any obligations; but fer the
sake of ''lang syne" and in the good
ness of their heart this need was per-
formed. They put our friend to work
that is the best--and though there
may be some low fellows who will keep
forever on the watch to report any
shortcomings, I live in the hope that
he will fill the place appointed him,
and yet profit and prosper through the
goodness of his old, old friends.
Find good people and they are
always good, and there are many more
of them than one would think unless
we seek them out.
SARGE PLUNKETT.