The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-07-20

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torn, and his face was in.
famed, and his eyes were
bleary, but there was still 4
heart beneath his soiled and ragged
coat And that heart had been won
by kindness. When he came limping
up to the farmhouse that morning the
farmer looked at him askance, and the
farmers dog had blinked up at his
master as If awaiting the word to hus-
tie the stranger down the lane.
And then the farmers wife had
come to the door. a gentle-fuced woman
with a soft voice, and she listened to
his story and brought him bread and
meat and told him to rest in the shade
of the apple tree. And somehow the
gentle-faced woman reminded him OF
the mother whose precepts he had dis.
regarded, and whose heart he had
broken. and such a lump had risen in
his throat that for time he found it
quite impossible to eat. And when he
finally disposed of the food and drank
cup of water from the cool depths of
the ancient well he wandered down to
q little brook that flowed in the ravine
that skirted the orchard, and bathed
his face and hands and Strengthened
his tangled hair. Then he came back
to the house and rapping at the door.
asked the gentle-faced woman If she
had any work he could do.
"Art still here?" she asked, in her
soft voice. II thought thee had gone"
"I'm still here" said the tramp. as
be drew his tattered hat from his
head. Il have a chronic way of wear
ing out my welcome. But IL you have
any work to do that will enable me to
pay for tie food you gave me, I'm in
the humor to do It,"
She looked at him little doubtful
ly. and read the secret of his downfall
in his fiery visage, and softly sighed.
What gave thee, l gave willing
ly." she said, and without thought Of
recOmpense. But If thee is really in
earnest about desiring work, thee can
take the spade that leans against the
well box yonder and SPADE up my
flower bed here"
AhC tlAiup AcpluCcu NiS uos anu
found the spade and set to work.
And while he was working he heard
the sound of wheels, and. looking
through the pines at the house corner.
saw horse and light wagon stop In
front of the farmhouse. Presently q
man came up the pathway. n man Of
light build. with bright eyes and
heavy black mustache. He was
dressed in a rather extreme style, and
even the tramp-who was Oroe gen
tleman himself-knew that this was
not gentleman.
Presently the farmer. busy in the
barn. was summoned to the house by
bis wife's call. Nearly half-hOur
later the tramp heard loud voices
within.
It was the voice of the farmer that
was raised.
"Y0u got that note by a scoundrcl
trickw he cried. "YOur partner asked
me to sign an order for ten bushels OF
Belgian oats and now you say signed
note-a note for 500! God! man. j
would ruin me to pay it!'
ITS for value received all right
enough" said the stranger ~in u cool,
even voice. II don't know anything
About your signing It. but the signa-
.tare Is yours and that's all We care to
Know. II you refuse payment. VIC Will
anpiy have to sue and sell you out
The tramp listening at the window
could hear the farmer pacing heavily
Up and down the room. And he
thought that hc heard the farmers
: wife sobbing. ..,...,,.....-44
I'll see lawyer" said the farmer.
doggedly. s
X Certainly" said the stranger. 'Scc
! hIm. and he'll tell you fast enough
That there's 10 help for you. No. my
nan. You are in for il. letter sell
something and settle"
III see y lawyer" groaned the far
mer.