Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-20

man is vending his way-at short inter-
walls he stops suddenly, gazing over the
| hedge side. where the moon is shining
| through the leahess snow-coyered trees
| advancing few PAGES he stops once
| more before ruined tower, fast crum-
bling to decay.
God bless the dear old landmarks" lie
mnrmured. many and many time have
stood beside you in my dreams when
the great ocean rolled between us--at
last, like the load-stone that attracts the
needle. you have brought the wanderer
back. Oh, sweet Install, the smallest
blade Of grass that grows in your green
dells is million times more precious to
me than all the wealth and grandeur
have seen on foreign shores
Having reached the cottage, he was
met at the door by tall.well-built, ven
cradle looking man.
Can you 4l,a IN. .hcter for IA ,h.i
timer" asked the stranger.
II can. or for a long time, il You need
Though not very long, now come 10
remember. for in few weeks won't
be able to call this house my own. Isn't
that the truth, Mary?v he added, looking
at his wife, busily plying her needle near
a bright turf fire.
at is indeed-the bitter truth-may
God in his mercy protect u.s." said his
wife.
"And how long have you lived in this
cosy cottage?" asked the stranger.
Fifty years, sir. My father built it. l
married the good wife you see beside ME
in it. l reared big family in it, but
they're scattered far away from us now.
Some of them, I'm afreerd, I'll never see
again. Our Oldest boy I've not heard
from in ten years. He was sent into
penal servitude for the part he took in
the rising of '67."
What was his name?"
Redmond O'Hara. But in troth II l
60 on in this way I'll be disgracing the
proud ovid name of our family. Here.
take a Whit o this ovid dhudeen; twill
help to Danish sad thoughts"
Before light my pipe" said the
stranger, ~ wish you would tell me why
it is that you will be compelled to leave
this cottage in a few weeks?"
1.-THE answer is simple" replied his
host. 81 am only a small farmer, and
cannot afford to pay Lord Leech the
heavy taxes that are yearly imposed Oh
my own time and money without hap
orth of help from his lOrdship. That's the
whole of it in nutshell"
And so you are to be evicted"
That's it exactly" replied the host.
"Not il can save YOU" said the stran-
ger.
"Saltpeter couldn't save us"
",There is something more potent than
saltpeter."
Maybe We name dynamite" said his
host.
kn,, ,fnr - r.,
erful than even dynamite" replied the
traveller, although it is not so noisy.
What allude to is the power of gold.'
During the foregoing the farmers wife
had prepared n supper which the tray-
elcr seemed to relish with zest that be-
tokened u keen appetite. Having finished
his meal he rclit his pipe, drew his chair
near the fire and became more commune
cative.
"You seem to be conversabe man."
said the host. "and Pm proud of your
company: il you like to sleep under this
roof tonight you are heartily welkim,
and we'll spend pleasant Christmas day
together"
You are too kind. SIR said the
stranger. But accept the invitation"
"Of course" said the farmer, you'll
have to take pot luck with US; he have no
dainties to offer you. but there was
time when a prince couldn't find fault
with our table IN Christmas day. when
we could spread before you turkey. geese,
ham. lamb and almost every delicacy un-
der the blessed sun, but them times i.dve
passed away like the snow
God bless you and your good wife, sir.
for the cordial welcome you have given
to the poor stranger 1t reminds me of
the gay old times when | was happy
boy under the roof-tree Of my parents.