The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-01-04

f-EtAON-otr - NAc a N1A1
Home was soon reached 1t was a
third story back room in big, old
house, the descendants of whose long
dead builders lived in quite another
part of the city. Wiekforth struck a
match before entering his room, al
though there was no surplusage Of
furniture 10 stumble over, and then lit
the lamp. There was a register in the
room, but little heat ventured that far
away from the furnace in the cellar so
the host ordered the guest to bed, while
he hunted some crackers and cheese
and made bis. other coat into bed for
the 'possum.
Nelson ate all that was set before
him, and lay back in content Wick
forth wished him pleasant dreams, aud
then hurried around TO the office.
Here he did an unusual thing he
took the city editor into his confidence,
told him his story, and asked to be
given light assignment for the fol-
lowing evening, so that he might have
time to take Nelson out TO his uncle's
place, and the city editor promised to
do il.
''But | tell you frankly" said he,
''that don't envy you your task"
The next evening Wickforth and his
protege set out for the suburb where
the uncle lived. The boy had stayed
in the room during the day and was
anxious to get out into the crisp, brac-
ing air, where he skipped along in glee,
holding tight 10 his protectors hand.
Soon they reached the great, brilliant
station, and went aboard the waiting
train.
At the suburban station Wiekforth
inquired of the station-master the way
to Mr.. Holloway's house, which they
reached after brisk ten minutes
tramp. As they went up on the porch
two great dogs came bounding around
the corner Of the house and shifted at
them inquiringly; apparently the ex-
animation was satisfactory.
A deaf old man servant let them in,
bat not until after little parley at the
door. The coming Of company was
evidently 50 rare AS to be suspicious.
However, the old man ushered them
into the parlor, aud consented TO take
Wickforth's card upstairs, looking
back at them over his shoulder several
times as he assembled.
Wickforth felt nervous on this er-
rand the power Of his paper was not
back Of him. Instead it would con-
front him. Suppose Mr. Holloway re-
fused to have anything to do with the
boy, a not unlikely contingency I?
Wickforth's salary vas small, aud
there was the weekly remittance 20 the
old home in the little village.
Voices from above cut short his re-
iieotians there could be no miStaking
the tone Of ore Of the speakers.
REPORTERS? don't want to see any
reporter-see enough Of 'em when I'm
at the Day Office Um-I see he's from
the Day. told 'em there once not to
bother me at home-it they had to see
ms about anything TO come TO my
office VIII go down? Yes, for just
a minute
There was rushing sound in the
hall. Into the parlor dashed a large,
gray cat, closely followed 10y fox
terrier. They raced arouad the room,
and then out again and Nelson jump
ed 10 his feet 70 follow them TO the
door. As he did so his elbow struck a
small table near by, aud the slender
glass vase upon it was sent to the floor
with a crash. At that moment Mr..
Holloway appeared at the door.
'.The rascally little brutes % he ex-
claimed. They've broken that vase
brought all the way from Trieste
John"-he turned 10 the old servant
"whip them-they'll know what it's
for-and lock them in the cellar"
Wickforth's thoughts were tumul-
tuous. Mr. II oIloway evidently sup
posed that his cat and dog had done
the mischief; would it be well to un-
deceive him So much depended upon
his favor; the truth might ruin Mel
sons whole future and yet
1t was Nelson that spoke.
"Fm very sorry, but did that"
The master of the house looked down
at the boy. For a moment there was a
painful silence, broken only by the
hard breathing of the servant in the
hall.
"Wellr' said Mr.. Holloway, "you
are an honest boy Who are you?"
"I'm NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Hollo-
way" Now the lads voice was tremb-
ling,
Mr.. Holloway started.
"what - he exclaimed, and drew
back step.
Father is dead, and he told me to
come to you"
Little Jim dead ~
Mr.. Holloway sunk into chair, and
repeated the words again end again,
seeming, for time, to lose sight of his
visitors. Then he called Nelson and
put his arm around him, but he spoke
to wickforth.
"My only brother-younger than I
and have not given him a friendly
word for ten years. It's too late now -
He turned Nelson's face to the light,
and looked into il closely.
avery much like him-very much
like him-when We were at the old
home. Nelson, you will stay with me
nov. You are an honest boy
Then the terrible Mr.. Holloway, who
owned half the stock in the Day Com
pany, turned upon Wickforth.
"And you, sir-welI, if you don'i
come out and see US often, will see
that you lose your jobl So take care
What's that, Nelson? Yes, of course
you can keep your 'possum here Mr.
Wickforth will bring it out to you 10
morrow
Plueking Roses While They Skate
The weather conditions which hav'
produced skating, says the Portland
I Oregonian, are rather remarkable. Fo