The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-07-15

few days with relative down in the
county of Kent. 1t was an event in
my life to get away, and it was at the
time of the murder of Sir James Bar
field, whose property was only two
miles from the farm where l visited.
Sir James was a. broken down gentle
man. l mean by that he was fifty
years old, In poor health, without mon
ey and had led fast and vicious life.
His reputation was so bad that his ex-
istence was ignored by all respectable
people He had never married and
was now living in seclusion on the last
of his acres, with three or four serv-
ants to attend him.
On the last evening but one Of my
visit filed my pipe and set out for
walk to the grounds of Sir James Bar
field. AS came near the gates l en-
countered young woman who seemed
to be spying out the lay of the land. /
noticed that she was young and fair
looking and that she also seemed to be
anxious, but l passed on without Civ
ing her much attention. My friends
insist that ought to have halted and
entered into conversation with her and
thereby probably prevented what fol
lowed, but l argue to the contrary.
had right to believe that she was one
of the servants of the house. If not
that, then she was some farmers
had to NEEDLE with a love affair?
passed on and left her, and when l re-
turned she was no longer in sight
Next evening at 8 o'clock took the
train from Beechenbrook for London
This was a small country station and
about a mile from Barfield House. 1t
was my own choice that l walked to
the station carrying my portmanteau
There was no one moving about as
passed the gates of Sir James proper
ty, but about quarter of mile far
Their on / overlook a youth carrying
baggage similar to my own. He was
walking at a fast gait and seemingly
trying to keep ahead of me. When l
babe him good evening, he replied in
nervous manner and looked as If he
would fee, but the kindness of my
tones evidently treasured him.
"My dear boy" | said as we walked
side by side, you are probably bound
on a journey Does it so happen that
you are going up to London?"
But you won't stop me?" he replied
in pleading tones. 81 have no parents.
am running away from a cruel mas
ter"
1T may not be wise STEP" said
as we logged along. "but l shall GER
tainly not interfere ran away my
self when was lad of fifteen, and
don't know but what l did the right
thing. How old are your
Sixteen, SIR"
you don't seem strong, and 1t can't
be that you have any too much mon
ey."
I've got about pound. sir. oh, if
you would only help me when we get
to the station! Won't you buy my
ticket for me? Won't you let me seem
to be relative of yoursY'
"And this master of yours-will he
try to get you back? know it is
against the law to assist an apprentice
to run away"
HE won't follow or make trouble.
think he'll be glad 1 left. He cursed
and beat me because l could not do
the hard work. l was afraid of my
life, SIR"
When we reached the station, the
lad sat down on the baggage truck at
the far end of the platform, and got
tickets for two before I Joined him.
The station master was alone and gave
us no heed, and when the train came
along we were fortunate enough to get
a compartment to ourselves. Under
the lamplight 1 had a chance to look
my young friend over. He was
slight, slim boy, with pretty face and
a winning way. l noticed that he had
small hands and feet and was neat in
his DRESS l had intended to ask for
full particulars of his story when we
got settled down on the train, but he
was so nervous and diffident that re
Trained. had taken a brotherly inter
est in the lad, and it naturally followed
that | should inquire what he meant to
do when we reached London. He re-
piled that he didn't even know the
name of single street and that he
was in fear of what might befall him
when we reached the end of our jour
ney
My lodgings were situated in Little
Bascomb street and were over the shop
of very respectable jeweler. l had
the whole floor and kept my own man.
Just at this time, however, he was abb
sent on a months leave, and the
thought came into my head to take the
boy home with me for couple of
weeks Even before l knew his name
which he gave as Tommy West, ] had
made the offer. He seemed reluctant
to accept, and it was only after con-
siderable urging that he consented to
be my guest, as it were, and then |
had to promise that he should pass as