The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-08-09

ting in the still, dark room. She gave
little start as Mrs. Carter entered.
"Oh," she said, in low voice, Il m
real glad to see you, Mrs. Carter. No,
don't take that chair-that's Andrews,
and | can't bear it. This rockers cas-
ier to your back. Undo your shawl,
do. "
II had to come over, Marietta
seemed as if l must. | couldn't bear
the thought Of your sitting here all
alone. l wish l could help you--O
Marietta, | wish l couldn'
Mrs. Gamble locked up from her
knitting quickly. Yes, it is lore
some with Andrew gone, she said,
quietly She was slight, sweet faced
woman, and the loose wisps of hair,
turning gray, curled around her face.
For very little space neither of the
women spoke. The subdued creak of
their rockers sang dirge in the visi-
tors ears. She was wondering how
Marietta could knit stockings, and look
so composed, and curl her hair! Still
she had been crying. Her eyes looked
Redeemed
Then the visitor spoke in a sharp
whisper, drawing the words cut SOL
emnly Wasn't it dreadful! sudden
Marietta?
Eyes, it was sudden. Still, I'd been
expecting as likely as not it might
happen. He's never been real hearty. "
''No?" Mrs. Carter assented, with
doubtful, upward infection. Andrew
had looked hearty, very.
Ever since he sprained his knee
joint last fall he's been ailing especial
ly; it seemed to use him up.
Il never noticed that he limped." F"
well, he did, going uphill md
coming home after long trip
Another pause, and another stanza
Of the creaking dirge.
when did-it happen, Marietta?"
whispered Mrs. Luther Carter then.
Three o'clock this morning, or
few minutes past. We were up all
night with him. [ didn't get wink
of sleep"
Poor child" Mrs. Carter softly
patted the knitting needles. Did
did--he suffer much?"
''No, guess not. That was mer-
cy. He didn't seem to sense anything
all night. We did everything we knew
how for him--everything. Laudanum
didn't seem to do any good" She be-
gan to cry suddenly. II was SO fond
Of him. she sobbed, apologetically.
eyes, yes, do cry, Marietta-it'll do
you good. You ought to cry. It's a
mercy you can"
II don't know how we're going to get
along without him, Mrs. Carter.
"lt's great loss to the neighbor
hood. We all feel it," Mrs. Carter
murmured Luther and I were all
struck in heap. He read it in the
paper. Just think Of our finding it out
in the newspaper
Mrs. Gamble lifted her dropping
head with an air of solemn pride.
eyes," she said, "they put it in the
paper right away. When Andrews
Uncle Andrew died, they got that into
the paper, too"
1t was warm in the room, and Mrs.
Carter took up paper from the table
to fan herself. She folded it neatly
and set it waving with slow, steady
strokes.
"When are you goin to--to-when
will you-bury him, Marietta?" she
asked at length, gravely.
Mrs, Gamble took up her knitting
work, "Oh, We buried him this morning
as soon as it twas real light. We
thought we might as well get it done
with, and we wouldn't feel so bad when
twas over"
"Why, Mrs. Gamble! Why, l never
heard Of such thing in my born days
i never She spread out the news
paper fan in distracted agitation, and
stared at it absently. Her face ex-
pressed the utmost amazement ard nor
ror,
Suddenly her eye fell on one Of the
items in the paper. She read it hasti-
ly once-twice. Then she glanced at
the papers date. 1t was that weeks
paper, and the notice in it was Of the
'lamenta]l lie loss our respected towns
man, Andrew Gamble, has sustained
as we go to press-in the death of his
valuable and petted chestnut horse,
etc, etc.
Mrs. Luther Carter crumpled the
paper in her fingers and rose. well,
Marietta, I must be 6 Ding. I'm real
sorry for yon and Andrew, but 'taint as
if twas one of the family gone, you
know. Good-by."
She went rapidly home, aad finding
the borrowed paper, thrust it into
Luther's hand unceremoniously, point
ing to tie date. Fer the first time they
noticed that it was old and timestained
and exhaled fain. musty odor. They
had read its mention Of the death Of
Andrew Candles uncle.
Luther Carter read and re read the
date. Then he got up and went out Of
the house.
When at supper-time he came back,
he remarked briefly to Cyrus as he went
through the kitchen.
i've subscribed for the newspaper
myself, Cyry, so guess YOU won't need
to 60 borrowing any more.
Drummers and the Trusts.
Wherever American drummer5 meet