The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-03-01
! am what yov have made me, said the


words lingering in his brain like the re-
frain of song; the meanest soul Well,
if have blackened my soul, pray God
help me, for no one else can.
| A tap at the door interrupted his
thoughts He turned sharply to the little
figure.
Your are sure no one can see you
None but you, was the reply.
Sam Sam said the gentle voice of
his wife. What's the matter? We saw
you 60 up, and we haven heard from you
since YOU came home. She nervously
grasped his hand in her own, which were
trembling
Nothing, Mary, said the lumber mer-
chant, hurriedly. Nothing's the matter,
only wish you would send me up cup
of tea-a emp of good strong tea. | want
to take it here in my room. l have some
thing on my mind; nothing to trouble you,
Mary, but / must be here alone for little
while.
With something between gasp and a
sob, the wife went down stairs. Present
" she returned with the cup of tea.
Thank you, Mary, he said in tone SO
kindly that his wife looked at him in sur
prise. Now, dear, you see am all right.
Won you please get Tom to hitch up and
drive around to Simmons, the carpenter,
and tell him want to see him immediate
ly? In fact, tell him to bring Simmons
with him. | must have him here within
| the next half hour
Five minutes later he could hear the
sound of the departing coach, showing that
the coachman had sped upon his errand.
Mr.. Greene again touched the bell and one
of the daughters responded.
Edwith, | want to send down to the
widow Grogan's. You know she is one
of my tenants. Can t one of you girls
90 down and bring her up? It's only ten
minutes walk, and must see her this
evening.
Why, papa, said the daughter, and SO
late?
Oh, said the merchant; it $ only z.
You 90, Edith, and | will make it up for
you. You can take the street car and be
down there in twinkling. And to her
astonishment he kissed her. Such thing
had never happened since the girls were
babies.
It was we'll within the half hour when
Tom drove up before the door and Car
penter Simmons mounted the steps. He
was shown up to the merchant s room.
Come in, Simmons; come in ! said Mr..
! Greene, with show of animation.
came, Mr.. Greene, but haven the
slightest idea
No matter, no matter Sit down, said
the other. The fact is, Simmons, be-
haved like dog to you this afternoon, and
| am deeply sorry for it. | want you to
understand that, Simmons. You have
been good customer of mine, and I've
never lost cent by your trade, and to
have spoken to you as | did was too mean
for anything, and | want to apologize.
Oh, Mr.. Greene, protested the carpen-
ter, don t say word.
But insist, said Greene stoutly. If
man acts like dog, he must apologize;
he has no right to act SO. You said that
| | had the meanest soul
| Mr.. Greene, cried the carpenter nerv
ously, | regretted it the moment Isaid it.
declare I did, 1t was a cruel thing.
It was true, said Greene, every word.
[ know it. / have the meanest soul and
you told the truth Sit down.
The visitor sat down in amazement.
| NJ -. :, rrda, continual Graana
writing at desk that stood in the corner
of the room. Haff will give you what
ever lumber you want. Hereafter you
can have that privilege. You are an hon
| est man.
You don mean it I! You don t mean
it, Mr.. Greene, cried the carpenter, start
ing up. Why, til like picking me out
of the gutter l was ruined if I didn' t
get that lumber You We saved me.
You We saved my business.
Still muttering his thanks, and greatly
astonished at the turn affairs had taken,
the carpenter withdrew.
The lumber merchant stood for minute
with strange smile on his face. As he
heard the footsteps die away, his eyes fell
npon the little figure in its nook, and it
seemed to him-although it might only
have been imagination that it had grown
shade winter
A little later the widow Grogan was
brought in by Edith. The widow, who
was accompanied by her little daughter of
4, showed tear stained face. She had
evidently been anticipating some new mis-
fortune as the result of this summons from
the landlord.
Now, said Edith, reassuringly, you just
step right in, and papa will see you.
All, Mrs. Grogan, said the merchant, |
am glad you re come.
Oh, Mr. Greene, began the widow in
piteous tones, if it's the rint, told the
agent that I would thry to have it for him
next month. I've done the best | could;
but it s hard times we've had.
Has that rascally agent of mine been
bothering you, Mrs. Grogan?
Indade the man only wanted your rint,
scr, an / told him
Never mind what you told him, Mrs
Grogan. SO that is Molly, is it? Little
Molly. How old is she?
Siven, sor. Speak to the jintleman,
Molly, dear.
Now, Molly, and he produced silver
coin from his vest pocket, [ am going to
give this to your mother, and she is going
to buy the biggest red apple you ever saw.
Mind you do it Mrs. Grogan. Now about
that rent How long have you been living
in that house of mine?
Eleven years, sor.
Why it seems to me that you have been
pretty steady tenant.
| got this notice day before Yesterday,
sor, and she handed him notice of dis
possession.
The lumber merchant scrowled And
this, he muttered, is done in my name.
All the hardships that are inflicted upon
these poor souls, who have paid rent for
IL years, | have to stand sponsor for.
Now, Mrs Grogan, he said, turning to
the widow, who was wiping her eyes with
corner of her dress, am going to give
you note to the agent, which will fix you
all right, so far as the next quarter rent
4