The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-30
Up at the 'LOtmentS.

u
Pure Drop" The True Lovers Knot,
The Three Choughs.' and every such
place of entertainment within reacn Of
mis- lettering CID legs. This evening he
was perforce sober for he had not ? s
sessed a penny that he could call his
own for several months. and the land
lords of The above-named hostelries had
unanimously declined to give him creait.
AS he stopped over the rickety gaze, MS
lean. bent old figure clad in tager I'd
linen coat that had once cen Shlte,
and neither garments OF inconeeivably
ancient and patched corduroy, looked
forlorn and miserable enough; there vas
even a certain pathos in his unwashs i,
unshaven face. and his small bieared
eyes peered auxiously out Of the nstWcrk
of burrows which surrounded item.
Every now and then he placed his hand
over his ear and turned his head as
though listening, and by and ny the -rg-
expected sound for which ne had been
waiting made itself heard. The lack
door Of the neighboring cottage closed
with a bang, and man came quickly
round the house and down the tiny
tagged path through the little caId=n,
which was already bright With primes S
and double daisies and passed throu n 4
gate similar to that ON which Joseph
was leaning. Hc was wiry, CldtIly
man, with a fresh colored ia ~ framed
in iron-grey whiskers. us garments
were very similar % those "Vrn by
Frisby except that they pass ,sse1 tie
merit of being clean He CARR Il q bas-
ketful of potatoes, and spade and
fork on his shoulder.
Good evening neighbor." said Joseph
Strengthening himself, and looking eagerly
at him. ''Ye be goin' up to the 'lotments,
I d love-
Aye" said the other, glancing 5rou.,d,
but without slackening his pace. I'm III
to the 'lotments-pretty late, too; must
hurry"
to ye a minute, Jim Lard, I've waited
here nigh upon an hour
"oh, an did ye?" said the man called
Jim. coming unwillinRly back.
AYE. Ye see tits this way. Neighbor
Cross. haven't touched drap this three
months, very near"
liant We? Well, I'm glaid ont I'm
tee-tottle myself. an tits the only way TO
get along, l do believe. I'm trewly glad
to hear We han't had no DRINKS lately, Joe.
Now that ye say so / do call to mind
noticin' that we've been a-walkin' uncom-
mon straight-aye, It's quite a while since
:
ye haven't been run in not this year, !
don't think
Aye" agreed Joseph. with modest
pride. ''Ye're quite right, Jim; l haven't
been run in this year"
He paused. rubbing his hands slowly to-
gether, and cycling the well-flled basket
of sets"
We're gettin' lslp from the parish
now he resumed. ''else we couldn't make
70 hnrC
reg'lar crippled. an not able TO do nothin' &,
an I'm not fit for much-Tm falterin',
neighbor. an farmers hereabouts has a
bad opinion on me for some raisen or an
other@ can scarcely ever get a days
work"
'Tis very unfortunate for zee. Joe: it's
that. But yer luck will change very like.
We must 'ope it will Well. l must be
gettin' along"
''Ye be goin' to plant yer taters." per-
sisted Joseph. and stretching out his LEAF
old hand he took hold of the basket Them
be real fine taters, neighbor; chock full OF
eyes Lard! if 1 had but a few Of these
I'd soon plant ny bit of garden
Haven't ye got none this year?" en-
quired Jim. visibiy stiffening.
Not a single one, an no cabbage neith-
er. I'm terribly badly off this year, don't
know however me an the poor body inside
II get on. Not q bit o. green stuff, an
not set to put in the ground. Three-an'-
six a week is every penny we have to look
to, an ye may think 1t don't go very far
Bread an tea, bread an tea, an not so
much as a drop o. milk tot. My missus,
she's that cute along o. me likin' a drap
now and then. she wouldn't let the Union
folk give It US in money-we Jest hev an
order for half pound O. tea once a weeG,
an we takes out the rest in bread. All.
deari body has to be clever to live on it.
I can tell 'ee."
He paused. leered insinuatingly in his
neighbor's face. and finally murmured. still
lingering the basket:
IF ye was to let me have a few of these
now neighbor. could pay,ye back + tn
autumn"
jim dexterously twisted his property
away from the trembling hand.
so that's what ye're att" he cried.
Nay. nay. Joe: I've had enough o. your
payin' back. know what that names
You an yer missus nd make yer dinner
of EN-, IL you didn't chop the lot for
drink straight of -
NO. no." pleaded Joe. almost tearfulIy;
" It's too bad to say such things. an take
pore mans character away. I'll gle We me
Bible oath-dang me, an everythin' reg'far
by the Book-that ia put 'em straight IN
the ground. Jim Cross
"WeIl. I can't spare the taters. any
how" grumbled Jim. I'm a pore man
an have to purvide for myself an my fam
fly. I'm sorry can't obleege ye. but so
it's"
He walked of. leaving poor old Joe star
ing bIankly after him.
BY and by light quick tread was
heard approaching him from the opposite
direction. and dapper-looking young fell
low rounded the corner of the lane. whist
ling TO himself as he advanced. He, too
carried a fork. and a half-flled sack was
flung over his shoulder.
Coin up to 'lotments?" enquired Jo-
seph. falteringly.
Yes. I've just knocked off work, an
am goin' up there for an hour or two be-
fore dark. Fine eyenin'. Mr.. Frisby."
AYE. sure" said Joseph. we've got a
grand sackful there, Jam
tbs big piece 20 fill up. Mr.. Frisby.
We han't got above half enough o. our
own Wen have to buy some"
81 haven't got one to put in my bit o.
ground" said Joseph impressively. What
do ye think of that Jan Domeny2 Not
one: no. nor not SO much as a stalk O.
cabbage"
We'll, now" said Jan. "'tis very sad,
that. Mr.. Frisby. A sorrowful tale, in
deed. Hayhap Parson 'ud help ye'
Nay" returned Joseph iasubrioUsiy
I'VE be chapel folk. an parson he says he
han't got no faith In me-"
We'll tits terrible onfart'nate for zee,
I'm sure" returned Mr.. Domeny uncon-
cernedly. But bad times can't last for
ever. There's comfort in that Mr. Fris-
by. The Lard trumpets the wind to the
sore lamb. as Scripture says"
Having delivered himself of this edify-
ing aphorism. young Jan Domeny hoisted
his sack little higher up on his shoulder,
and strobe On
'They be all alike" rnuttered Joe to
himself; they be a stony-hearted lot.
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