The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1898-12-30
thcrr precautions to prevent outsiders

tnclE precautions 10 prevent OutSlucfS
entering become.
"At first they had sometimes vcntllr-
cd to lock their house and make an cN-
cursicn together into r. the adjoin
ing market town. But by and by
they gave up such rccklcSsncsS entire.
ly. ana whenever on" of them went
out. the other remained on guard a,
home.
'My uncle was greatly exercised
about his two strange parshioncrs
Many rcctorS would have considered
themselves absolved OF all ohliga-
tions towards people who not merely
never attended church. but refused to
even admit their clergyman into their
house when he called. But that was
not MY uncle's way. Every poor man
who lived in his parish he held to hr
under his pastoral protection; and he
felt himself bound to look after his in.
trrcSiS.
when I succeeded him here | went
to call, now and then, OH the old pe0-
pie: meeting. however, with the same
treatment that my uncle had always
experienced. Sometimes. they would
not open the door nj all: ut others.
they did so with the chain up, and con-
-versrd with me through narrow
aperture.
In reply to my inquiries whether
could do ANYTHING, or give them any
assistance. | always had Il negative re-
turned: until ut last | gave up trying
Ia make Roadway in so hopeless Il di-
rcc,ion. and left the two hcrmits pref
~ much to themselves.
The man came 10 me regularly
every half year to get his pension p:.
prrS signed: and | took advantage OF
these opportunities to Civ" him some
friendly advice, and demonstrate with
him OH his folly in starving himself
and wearing such inadequate clothing
i'm the coolest weather. At first made
him II present of some old coats. trOuS.
crS and flannel shirts. But | soon
gave up that. for hc never wore them;
and formed the impression that he
had probably converted them into
cash
"In fact, asked him one day what
he had done with them all. He only
locked cunning. affected stupidity. and
made some unintclIiSihlc signs. De-
spite his nlImbncSS. hc could make me
understand things very we'll when Ii"
likrd-cSprcially anything connected
with his pension papers. II was only
when h" did moi wish tn make himself
understood that his signs had no
meHnin" i'm them.
In this matter of coming to have
his papers signed. he was. as | havr
N IN,
March % and September % he mp.
prarrd nj the rcctory rs regular AS
clockw0rk. taking me on the way to
=. where he had To present his pa
pcrS ut The post office.
Il always looked for him on the
morning of those days. and always
took the prrraution to have my study
windows wide open. The old man and
water had long been mutual strangers.
and the atmoSphcrc which attended
him was. 10 say the least. rather op.
prcSSivr.
lie was always. rs | have said.
punctual in coming. And when one
MicliaclmaS day-it was just two
years ago now came :ini went with.
oui his putting in an appearance. | at
one" remarked il as II very n0ticcabl"
circumstance. The next day expect
ed him with open windows and the
next. and thc next: but he did not turn
TIP. Al length. after waiting Il week
, ! felt sure that he must hc i'll. and
went over TO the Shanty to inquire.
Il hammered at the door. Nobody
answered. | hammered louder and
! louder. with the same result. In the
end. nS II last resort. ! tried ii. TO my
surprise. il WIS unfaStcncd. puShc |
it open and went in
"trou"hing against the wall. upon
/ the damp and mouldy floor. was II iig
urr covered with IN old sack. went
nearer. AT first | could not see which
GT The TWO il WAS. iiut on look in,
more closely. made il out to be tn
old woman. The tangled black hair
which had always struck me so about
her. was now betrayed aS not being
her own. II was Il wig half on and
hrif off al that moment. giving her II
! f"arfully SrOtcSQur appearance. and
! clearly revealing her bald pate, scant