The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1897-07-23

WN.N' NkhNNNf NNN NNNNN WAS NNN WIG
awaiting her confinement Who child
wasn't born half au hour when some
blundcrin' idiot told her the news.
That killed the mother. Then poor
Tolley's wife took In the'child and
kept it, and we an helped o bit; and
he mowed mp 20 be called Tolley Aud
ns II he hadn't had misfortune enough
90 begin life with, old Tolley must
lneeds go an christen the poor little
creetur' by his own name Of BALKAN,
as d been q laughing stock for the
whole o. Castle Barfeld for ears am
ears. He learned himself 10 read m'
write without any help as liver / heerd
ON. He was put 20 work 40 the pit
bank by the time he was eight ears
old, aud he Termed himself the engine
drivin' by looking at the engine an
watchin' the chaps at work at 1t. Poor
Bale"
A bright drop or two fell from the
girls eyes and glistened on the stuff
she was sewing.
In the meantime, Bale, the rejected,
had walked down into the valley, had
/ fingered for q while ut the forge gates
/ 30 stare in at the white-hot. half-naked
I figures that dragged the bloom from
the surface, and ran it on its iron
trolley to the steam-hammer, and had
waited to see it beaten from its mean
descent heat TO O dull red glow.
1T takes good stuff 10 abide that
kind Of handling" said Bale. "The
good stun's the better for it. But it's
no use trying il on Stag. As a matter
of fact, you can't have the good stuff
without it, but it's a pity to treat all
sorts alike"
He was making a parable Of the
matter in his own mind, and he walked
on thinking Of it in a sore-hearted and
rather empty-headed fashion. He
passed the frowsy town and came out
on the road to Quarrymoor, with its
almost instant hint Of country odors
in the darkened air. II was late
spring weather, almost summer, and
the smoke veil hung high and thin.
The stars shone through it vaguely,
and a dew was falling. He walked on
for an hour, clean into the country,
not knowing or caring where his feet
led him, and suddenly he was aware
that the moon had risen, broad and
full and that a nightingale was sing
ing.
"Why, Bale, old ladl" a CHEEKY
voice called out. "What brings you
here?'
There's a nightingale in the copice
yonder," said Bale. 'Listenw
They kept silence for minute, and
the birds song, which had been
checked at the sound Of the footsteps,
began again. The newcomer fidgetted
a little, and after minute or two said:
cts pretty music enough. But
who'd ha' thought of your caring for
it, Bale? Going home again?"
yes" said Bale. "At least-I
don't know about home. 1 shall drop
in at the Sir Ferdinand"
"Ah" cried the other, striding on
again with Bale at his side, II should
think that was more in your line"
'Well, yes, said Bale, 'I suppose
it is. Shall we set ourselves to walk
toward a glass?"
"Why, no" said his companion.
''Not tonight. I've better work on
hand. You've always been a trust
worthy sort of chap in a way, Bale.
{ You can keep secret?"
'I've kept one or two," Bale ans
, wered.
"Why," said the other. "The
secrets this, Bale. I'm going to get
married"
"Ohr' said Bale. you've squared
the old lady, have you"
eyes. I've squared the old lady,
and Tn off now to the top of Hill Road,
my lad, to carry the news to the young
''un. F"
"The young lady?" said Bale.
} "The young lady" said his com.
panion "She's been rare and down.
hearted this six months past about the
. old woman's opposition. She'll cheer
r up above bit when 1 break the news
s to her. And look here, Bale, old lad
r You and me have always had a liking
. one for another. There's a bit of q
r difference in our stations in life, but
r I've never made difference on thai
t account. Have /, now? Come! Have
II"
g 'No," cried Bale; "you never have.
i "When a mans married." said the
other, "he's got to let his wife have
something Of say about the company
d he keeps. Now, sometimes you are 6
- most extraordinary racketty chap, Bale
n You know you are. Selina's got BIZ
t of a down on you, old lad"
s Don't you trouble about me
n George" said Bale. 81 know wha
|, Miss Rice thinks about me, and know
Z, what 1 think about Miss Rice. We're
e never likely to trouble each other"
y "Why?" said the lucky lover, check
q ipo bie walk euddanlv eOd facint