The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-01

fiercely. In the violence of our struggle
il CHANGED that his mask was displaced,
and the moon emerging at the same mo-
ment from behind cloud showed to my
amazement, the features of Jack Hardy.
SO astonished was L that my hold upon
him slackened. In a moment he had
taken to his heels, and with such swift
ness vanished that l rubbed my eyes To
learn whether | were not in dream
But now the gentleman whom l had res
cued, and whom l perceived to be some
what misshapen and deformed, ap-
preached me with many protestatlons Oh
gratitude. TO secure him against turth-
er attack, | readily undertook TO accom-
pany him to his abode. On the way ne
inquired my name and condition, ana
seemed nightly relieved to hear that
was from the country,
Il greatly desire you, sir, he added,
'to tell none, at least in town, of this
adventure. 1t would furnish the scurvy
wits of Buttons with a months humor.
But there, It's your good fortune to
know nothing of Buttons"
Nay" / replied, ''you mistake;
quilted it not an hour since"
Hey he cried, looking at me sharp
ly, "and did they speak Of my Homer
ana MT. Addison y!
IF / am fortunate enough to have the
company of Mr.. Pope" said |, 'Sthey did
indeed speak of your work, as also of
Mr.. Tickells, but they made no mention
of that of Mr.. Addison"
"'Tis the same" he cried. "And pray,
what was their judgment?'
! | hesitated Zone that merits not to
be repeated"
True he agreed 'they are but
petty crowd of winkers and whisperefs,
/ the slaves of a grand Turk. But had
you taste for poetry"
His words reminded me of my loss.
/ "Alas," / said that scoundrel took my
poems with him. and Mr.. Pope--for it
was indeed that ingenious writer whom
/ / had rescued-being vastly curious to
\ know IN meaning, | made bold to tell
him the entire history of my adventure
to town, which diverted my auditor
/ hugely.
POUNDS" he said, 'your poems are
indeed weighty reading, and have given
that scoundrel a worse headache than
ever Mr.. Philips pastorals brought
upon his readers. | am nightly indebt-
ed to your skill as a handler of verse.
But what will the lady say if YOU return
to her empty handed? Nay, your valor
must needs not so unrequited. You
will permit me, sir, to exert my interest
on your behalf with my Lord Halifax
! and others-or you would desire some
place under government since the tories
have no longer the upper hand. ! doubt
not that / could secure it for you"
Nay" / replied, lit were ill-fitting for
me to claim so great a reward for Il
service so paltry nor would | willingly
leave my present mode of life in the
country for the strife and turmoil of the
town. But if, as you honor me by say
ing. my poems have rescued You from
some peril 10 guineas were a tride to
ray for the well-being of the illustrious
Mr. Pope And thereby, as | have set
before you, could / claim my Cynthia"
4 He laughed again. 9 Ills richly earn
ed" he cried, pulling out his purse.
''Neyer have lines done so much service
as those you printed on that rascaIs
head Here are the guineas, most valiant
Ajax! / need trespass no longer upon
your courtesy, for we are now hard upon
nv house Farewell and commend
me to the beauteous Cynthia
! With this he left, and | turned to
my own journey, very well pleased with
the nights adventure. Nor ever after
ward could endure to hear Mr. POpes
character made free with, as was too
commonly done by the baser sort of VIII.
At least he had behaved toward me
with the greatest generosity and good
will. | had earned my 10 guineas by my
poems and was at liberty to quit Lon
don on the following day.
You may suppose that | fastened
home with the utmost dispatch and be-
took myself without delay to CynthIa,
| discovered her seated in the garden,
and her cheek redeemed at my approach.
80 soon returned she cried. You
have quickly forsaken your purpose,
sir"
! NAY" said l. Il have gained it,"
and without more ado | related the
whole history of my adventure When
| told her of my unexpected meeting
with Jack Hardy, you may conceive her
confusion. That gentleman, as | had
siuce found, spoke no more than truth
when he claimed to be known through
out London. for he was the head of Il
notorious band of footpads, and had
come to our village with Fhe intent of
euding the pursuit of the law. The
necklace which the designing fellow had
/ bestowed upon Cynthia was doubtless
part of his ill-gotten booty.
4 When, with great exactness. ] had
told her all, Cynthia gazed at me with
new light in her eyes.
oh she cried, that | could have
| preferred that vile impostor to-" she
cholled herself at the word.
/ MAY / beg you to recall our wager"
said 1. My poems have earned 10
guineas, and"
| Hereat she suddenly fell to sobbing
"Nay. how can YOU pardon me, when
tits Cynthia who has lost you your
poemsw
Not So" | replied, folding her in my
arms, "'tis my poems that have won me
Cynthia
During the winter of 1897 Mr.. James
Reed one of the leading citizens and
merchants of Clay, Clay county, w. Va,
struck his leg against cake of ice
in such n lnanupr6 MS TO hFuiSe III Sc