The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-21
CHAPTER III.
Mr.. Goodlett's PASSENGERS.

The vehicle that Mr.. Goodlett was
driving was an old hack that had been
used for long years to ply between
Shady Dale and Malvern. On this occa-
sion Mr. Goodlett had for his passen-
gers a lady and a young woman appar-
entity about Mans age The elder of the
two women was emaciated to a degree,
and her face was pale to the point Of
ghastliness, but in spite OF her weakness,
| there was an ease and a refinement In
her manner that reminded Gabriel of his
grandmother.
The younger of the two women was the
| picture of health. The buoyancy of youth
possessed her and there was a twinkle in
her eye that spoke of humor; but her
glance never fell directly on the men in
the wagon; all her attention was for the
invalid.
Mr.. Goodlett, his greeting over, was
! for passing on, but the voice of the in
valid detained him. Can you tell me-"
she said, turning TO MIR. Sanders,
| Whether the Gather place is occupied?
oh, but forgot; you are just returning
from that horrible, horrible war" She
, had lifted herself from a reclining posi-
ton, but fell back hopelessly.
why. Alb thar ought to be able to tell
you that responded Mr.. Sanders.
We'll, Jest amt" declared Mr.. Good
lett, with some show of Impotence. Il
y
furried, an so het up wi fust one thing
an then another, that / amt skacely
had time for to scratch myself on the
eatchin' places. much less git tin up all
times or night for ter see CT the Gather
place is got folks or ha'nts in it.
The young lady stroked the invalid's
hand and smiled. Something in the
frowning face and fractions tone of the
old man evidently appealed to her sense
of hunor. Don't you think it is abb
surd" said the pale lady, again appealing
to Mr.. Sanders. that person should
live in so small a town and not know
whether one of the largest houses IN
the place is occupied
But, mother" protested the young
lady why worry about ft?''
Everybody knows" said Gabriel that
Miss Polly Gather lives in the Gather
house" He spoke before he was aware,
and began to blush Wnereupon the
young lady gave him very bright smile.
"Humph!' grunted Mr.. Goodiett CIV
ing the lad a severe look.
"Oh, we'll take the young mans word
for it," said the invalid. a and we are
very much obliged to him. What is your
name?" When Gabriel had told her she
repeated the name over again. II used
to know your grandmother very WE'LL"
she said. Tell her Margaret Bridalbin
has returned home"
Then. ma'am you must be Margaret
Gather" remarked Mr.. Sanders.
yes / was Margaret Gather" repli-
ed the invalid II used to know you very
we'll Mr.. Sanders, and If had changed
as little as you have. 1 could still boast
of my beauty"
Yet nobody hears me braggin of mine,
Margaret" said Mr.. Sanders, with a
smile that found its reflection in the
daughters face; "but I hope from my
heart that home an old friends will be
a good physic for you an git you to
braggin ag'in. Anyhow, eff you don't
brag on yourself you can take up a good
part Of the time braggin' on your daugh-
! ter"
"Oh, thank you, sir for the clever Joke.
My mother has told me long ago how full
of fun you are" said the young lady
You may drive on now" sne remarked
to Mr. Goodlett. Whereupon that surly-
looking veteran slapped his mismatched
team with the loose ends of the reins,
and the shabby old hack moved off to-
ward Shady Dale. Mr. Sanders waited
for the vehicle to get some distance
ahead and then he too urged his team
forward.
1.-THE word is home" he said; 'I reck-
on Margaret has had her share of trou-
Bile, an few slices more. She made her
own bed, as the sayin' Is an now she's
layin' In it,"
In no long time the wagon reached the
outskirts of the town. Gabriel and Ce-
phas were on the point OF leaving the
wagon here, but Mr.. Sanders was of
another mind
ride on to Dorrin'tons VIZ u.s." be
said, II want to swap a joke or two VII
Mrs. Alb"
Mrs Absalom. as she was called, was
the wife of Mr.. Goodlett. and was mark
ed off from the great majority of her
sex by her keen appreciation of humor.
She was DR.. Randolph Dorrington's
housekeeper. and was a real mother to
Nan, who was motherless before she had
drawn dozen breaths or the poisonous |
air of this world.
By the time the wagon reached Dor |
rington's, Gabriel acting on the instruc- |
tons of Mr.. Sanders, had crawied under |
the cover of the wagon, and was holding |
out pair of old shoes, SO that a passer-
by would imagine that some one was ly- /
ing prone In the wagon with his feet |
sticking out
When the wagon reached Darlington l
Place, Mr. Sanders drew rein, and hailed |
the house, having signed to Cephas to
make himself invisible. Evidently Mrs. /
Absalom was In the rear. for the hello"
had to be repeated a number of times
before she made her appearance. She