Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-07-08

from me IL a blessing, an evil wish
a curse-an old, old man, MY lady"
She saw how he trembled, and sweet
est compassion oiled her heart. What
could he want from her, this old
man?
II have stood here, my lady" he
said, every day for ten long days,
waiting to see you. They told me that
you we're young and bonny-that you
had kind eyes and kind heart. Your
husband wants to drive me to death,
my lady-will you save me?"
She thought he must be raving; but
his manner was calm and collected.
They were standing together just at
the end Of the coppice, and Lady Car
aven pointed to one of the fallen
trees.
"Sit down there. Farmer Moore
she said, "if you will not come into
the house, and tell me what is wrong"
II am an old man, my lady; I have
lived many years, and I have never
seen an injustice prosper yet. The
earl Is going to do an injustice to me
and mine. You will keep him from
it?"
"I will If I can," she replied. what
is I'll"
"The Moeres have lived at Bromhill
Farm, my lady, more years than can
count. I have heard 1t read how, GEN.
turtles ago, when the lords Of Carave1
went to war, the Moores followed
them. They have always been ten
ants on the Ravensmere estates. The
farm, my lady-Bromhill FARMS let
to them on lease; when one lease ex-
pires another is signed. My lady, when
l was boy, my father signed lease
for seventy years, and the seventy
years will be at an end next month.
1 have sons and grandsons waiting to
succeed me, and the home is my home
i love it. My father lived and died
there. my sons were born there. The
old homestead is part Of my life, Of
my soul, my lady; standing outside
of it. I seem to have no life."
II understand" she said, gently.
"There has never been any difficulty
about the renewal Of the leases, my
lady. The lords of Caraven knew how
to value good tenants; and when
fresh lease was signed the earl would
say, Moore, you will take glass Of
wine with me- and the best wine in
his lordship's cellar would be put be-
fore him. There might have been ten
ants who would have offered more
money; but the lords Of Ravensmere
would have laughed at that. We
were their humble friends and true
servitors, my lady. You do not meet
with such every day."
Il understand" she repeated, not |
knowing what to say.
"Now, my lady, the seventy years.
lease, signed when was curly-head-
ed boy playing at my fathers knee, has
expired. We thought, my son John !
and I, that we had nothing to do ex-
cept call on the earl and renew 1t. |
We never dreamed of anything else, my |
son John and I. So we called, my |
lady, and footman brought us word |
that his lordship left all the business
connected with the estate to Mr.. Blan-
tyre. As we were leaving home
said to my son John: John, We ehall
taste the earl's famous wine to-day
and he, in his CHEEKY way, said: 1t
will do you good, father But there
was no wine, my lady, no kindly greet
ing from the lord Of the CASTLE no
message to the old retainers of the
house, except that we were to so to
Blantyre. My lady" said the old
man solemnly, as he struck his stick
upon the ground, II hate Blantyre!"
She could have added, $50 do I"
But It was wiser to be silent.