The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-04-01

IN Cne QlreCulOu Oh MS llUUle caDlns ~
was getting dark when he reached
home. He replenished the smoldering
fire, lighted small kerosene lamp,
then seating himself in one of the low
splint-bottomed chairs, he drew the let
ter from his pocket. He gazed at II
for somc time in fond anticipation be-
fore venturing to break the seal.
Eyes, it's from the gov'nor," he said,
as he opened the missive and spread it
out under the rays of the lamp. "I
reckon he thought he'd give me SUI
prise by sendin' the 'pointment by mail.
It's q good thing toll the squire ter
mention bout Lige, an'-the twin.
But let's see what he sez."
He read as follows:
STATE OF K,
Executive Department.
Governors ONCE,
January II, 189-.
''Mr. Solomon Holt, Benton's Post ONCE,
K-.-My Dear Sir: Yours Of January 8
received. We note your application for po-
sition as one Of the guards at the peniten-
tiary. In reply, the governor directs me
to soy that the same will be filed and
carefully considered with other applica-
~. L. BRINGroN,
Private Secretary"
The letter fell from Solomon's hand,
while q look of deep disappointment
came over his face.
Tain't the 'p'intment after ALL" he
muttered, then relapsed into silence.
The disappointment was severe one
to him, but he did not lose hope. He re
read the letter many times, studying
its every word. How cold and formal 1t
all seemed. It was not even written by
the governor himself as he would have
wished. Perhaps the governor had not
seen his application at all. He could
hardly believe that such formal note
would have been written to him had the
truth been known. Perhaps he would
hear from the governor later on.
"The gov'nor don't know nothin'
bout this, like as not" he muttered.
81 kent b'lieve he'd have SIGH letter
as that writ ter the twin brother Nv
Lige."
Three days later the squire returned
from the capital and came over to Soils
cabin.
81 didn't have time to write after
! learning Of the appointment" said the
squire, ''and as was coming home !
thought it best to wait TIL got here
and come over and SEQ you in person. -
| Sol nodded.
"I'm q thousand times obleeged ter
ye," he said. II reckon I'll halter be
goin' ter the capital fore long,"
The squire shook his head.
I'm sorry 1t turned out the way II
did; but you didn't get the appoint
meut."
"Whatl didn't git itP" said Sol, hi.
face growing shade paler.
'No; you didn't get it after all. II
was given to Bill Shucker, who lives
over on Soap creek"
Solomon Holt sat as If stupefed, gaz-
ing into the smoldering fire. It was
several moments before he could find
voice to speak.
"Ye seed the gov'nor in person?" he
asked at length.
eyes,"
"You toll him about Lige?"
eyes,"
"An'-an' the twin?"
eyes; but there were 80 many appli'
cants for office"
81 reckon he never knowed Lige,'
said Sol, in sort Of hopeless, detected
way, as If speaking to himself. mo
he couldn't a-knowed Lige."
He sat there gazing gloomily into thu
fire long after the squire had taken hi
departure. The darkness deepened
around him; the fire died out and the
cabin grew bitterly cold. Still he sa1
motionless, his chin resting in his
hands. He was thinking of-well, nc
matter; his lot had been hard one; hi
life had been fierce struggle with pow
erty and want-yes, want. He had moi
always had even the necessaries of life
II he had got the appointment he ek
pected he might have got along; bur
now
He shivered like one with chill, ant
rising, he groped his way to his cold
hard bed.
Three days later some of the neigh
bors came to the cabin, 10 find him in 9
dying condition. Pneumonia, the doc
tor said. He had but a short time t<
live, that was the verdict of all wht
looked into his pinched and wasted
face.
They gathered about him as the enc
drew near. He lay as If he were already
dead, save when he would murmul
some incoherent sentences.
eyes, the gov'nor'll know Lige," h.
said, in faint whisper, his mind wan
dering. "Tell him = I'm his twi1
brother"
He lay silent flor q long time, hi
breath coming family. Presently HI
spoke again.
"It's long, dark road" he said
feebly, "but I ken zee the light now
lt's gettin' closer an closerl see ZEN
comm ter take me up thar How
bright it is-the 'p'intment's comm