Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-08-27

cleared out of the old home,
selling my stick, and all that
was left me, and then, with
a few clothes done up in bur-
die and matter of twenty shillings
in my pocket, I made for the sea. 1t
was only a walk Of s few miles to
where the boats started to cross the
channel, and meant to take my pas
sage at night and just pitch myself
overheard when got half way"
'And this lady-how did she hell
you?" asked.
"I'm coming to It," answered the old
man. CAS- I've begun, you shall heal
my story to the end. A dark nigh;
it was, though not stormy. There
didn't seem to be many passengers and
the few there were had all gone be-
low, or at least thought so. 'Now's
your chance. Don't be coward" said
to myself, and got away to the stern
of the boat, where there was no one
to look and was just going to take
the leap when / felt hand on my
arm and saw the figure Of woman.
rising up from corner where hadn't
known there was anybody.
Don't be desperate, she said in a
quiet, kind sort of way. at any rate,
tell me just what the trouble is. III
help you il I can.'
cat first wouldn't; but she began
persuading me and at last found my
self telling her everything as though
I'd known her all my life.
"In your place, would not give
in without another try she said when
I'd made clean breast of everything,
and l believe that for new life
there's nothing like a new country.
Why not go to Canada?
Because 1 can't I answered, and
then pulled out the few shillings
which were all had left after paying
my ticket from Dover. That won't
take me to Canada said, nor to any
where else that I know of. Better
let me drown myself, ma'am- there's
no coin wanted in the next world, I'm
thinking, supposing there is next
world.
"'Oh, can't let you be coward!
said the lady, and so kindly! There
wasn't any quoting texts, or preaching
at me- or telling me was miserable
sinner. l expect she knew it wasn't
the right moment for anything of tLat
sort. 4 live just short railway lis
tance from where we shall land she
said, and though mine is only little
home, have a spare room where 1
shall be pleased for you to sleep for
night or two while we arrange
things.
"T am not rich, but in three days
could lend you enough money to 80
away to that big country where men
like you are wanted, and are sure to
get on. Will you go? When you grow
rich you can pay me back"
Twill go? Yes, that Will said
/; and l felt big lump come in my
throat that chokcd back all the thanks
that my heart was full of.
$50 she took me to her home aud
made me feel as welcome as though
had been one of her own friends, and
in a weeks time was gone-with
right good will, too, 10 succeed and
mako something better of my life"
"And did YOU snc:eed?" / said.
eyes, I've nothing to complain OF"
answered the old man. Except that
she didn't live to hear all l had done.
But had paid her back before the
gear was out; and in two morr years
I'd squared up every debt I'd left be-
hind me. And then. when money kept
on coming in, wrote to her that / was
going to give myself trip across the
Mig herring pond, to show her Id not
neen quite unworthy Of her kindness,
and to ask her if there was any otler
fellows as unfortunate as had been
who could be set going by a few of my
bank notes. But was too late"
"And now what are you going to
do?"
"I'm just going back again." an
swered the IDan. There's nothing
else l can io. I've been reading over
some of Mrs. Edward Hardings let
ters-she used to write to me every
now and then And think that's what
she would advise if she could speak to
me. And the money l have here"-he
touched the breast pocket of his coat
"and what l can make, shall go to help
thos that are down on their luck,
same as was when she held out her
kind hand to me aboard that channel
steamer"
had taken fancy to this Charles
Brown, and fingered day or two in
Liverpool, and finally saw him on
board the ship bound for aHlifaX.
"I'd like a few flowers put on her
grave" were mis- last words TO me. ":f
you should be over there, perhaps you
wouldn't mind seeing to it. I'd like
to show her just little OF what feel
only somehow fancy she knows all
about it now"
II believe she does" was my answer
as we clasped hands.-Waverley Maya
zine.
eEARLS OF THOJGdT.