The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-03-01

| Lie HcdHCoI Soui, iOPOaoOu oASSiN' o-'O
words lingering in his brain like the re-
frain of song; the meanest soul Well,
if l 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 90 up, and we haven t 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. Nothings the matter,
only wish you would send me up cup
of tea-a cup of good strong tea. want
to take it here in my room. | 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.
ly 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't you please get Tom to hitch up and
drive around to Simmons, the carpenter,
and tell him | want to see him immediate
"? 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 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 50
late?
Oh. said the merchant; it $ only L.
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
1t 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 room.
Come in, Simmons; come i'll ! 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 we
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, protestsd the carpen-
ter, don say Il word.
But | insist said Greene. stoutly II
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 :
ouslv. regretted it the moment said 1t.
| declare | did. 1t was cruel thing.
1t 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.
Now here is an order, continued Greene,
writing at a desk that stood in the corner
of the room TIatf will give you what
ever lumber you want. Hereafter you
can have that privilege. You are an hon
est man.
You don mean it You don mean
it, Mr. Greene, cried the carpenter, start
ing up. Why, it like picking me out
of the gutter, | was ruined il | dldn' 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 a 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
I, showed a 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 would thry to have it for him
next month. I've done the best | could
but it $ hard times we've had.
Has that rascally agent of mine been
bothering you, Mrs. Grogan?
Indade the man only wanted your rint,
sor, 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
f coin from his vest pocket, [ am going tc
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 beer
a pretty steady tenant.
1 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 fol-
1 years, [ have to stand sponsor for.
Now, Mrs Grogan, he said, turning to
the widow, who was wiping her eyes with