The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-12
TIe Tuo ORPHANS.
CHAPTER Mi.
SONS OF ONE FATHER.
Bv DeEnnSTve

urS. SOSS OlI LIS way SOAIS iIlN4Sili!'S
himself that he has not been imposed
upon, while the poor wretch who had
hoped to receive a few pennies, draws
his rags closer around him, and wOnd-
ers how many hours will elapse ere
gaunJ starvation claims him as his VIC
tim.
Should that poor beggar, starving
for the want Of the few crumbs which
fall unheede6 from the rich mans
table, ask himself, and not without
reason. whether there is one who
watches the sparrow'S fall, the godly
would turn away with horror at the
sentiment, and rejoice again that they
did not give aims to one who refuses
to believe, or question the existence OF
a kind God.
Day after day do we read, and in a
moment forget, OF some one who was
fashioned in Gods our likeness lying
dead for want.
Dead-for want of a crust,
Dead-in the cold night air,
Dead-and under the dust.
Without ever word OF prayer:
In the heart Of the wealthieSt city,
LII UllS ulOSU O44I4SIICt Adt4O,
Without ever a word OF pity,
Or the touch Of a kindly hand.
Although our story neceSSltateS our
giving the history OF the lives OF some
Of those persons who beg rather than
work, believe that such cases are the
exception rather than the rule. and
let not the history Of the FrochardS
deter any one from a charitable deed.
Had the reauer been in Paris on this
winter DAY, and gone to the Church
St. Sulpiee, he would have seen the
poor cripple Pierre gazing around IN
the hope Of seeing Louise.
The day was bitterly cold, and the
snow, which had fallen all night, was
still covering the cold earth with its
Shroud.
Pierre, clothed in rags. limps pain
fully along, stopping every now and
then to breathe upon his purple ting
ers, or swing his arms to infuSe some
warmth in his chilled body.
In a strong contrast to him is the
well-dreSSe6, wellfed Jacques, who
meets him with look OF scorn.
':Have the women not come YETI"
asked Jacques, in the tone Of a man
speaking to his inferior.
mo, not yet; mother and Nademo-
iselle Louise are busy elsewhere, no
Doubt replied Pierre, while he gazed
on his comfortably clad brother, and
wondered why they, sons Of one father,
should be in such different circum-
stances.
"They ought to be here" said JAG
cues, the handsome, impatiently.
''The services will soon be over, and
they will miss the charitable idiots"
''They will be here in good time"
said the cripple, as if to excuse their
absence. You need not worry about
ohsm."
SIT will be none too soon if they
come noW," was the angry eXclama-
tion, as the loving son went to seek
some shelter from the storm. where
he could wait until the coming OF his
mother, from whom he expected to
get money enough to pay for his
nights carouSal at the nearest cabaret.
Pierre moved away, as though eX-
pecting blow (Which was not uncom-
mon) from his brother. He seemed to
be trying to make up his mind to say
something to his brother. and judging
from the length Of time it took him. he
did not expect a favorable answer to
his prayer.
At last he went toward Jacques, and
in slow, heSitating way, said:
jacques, l have got a favor to ask
Of you" ;,
"If it is money, haven't got any,"
answered the elder brother, moving
away.
Mono" answered Pierre quickly:
sit is not money-but. look here, Jac-
cues, when you are angry with me.
curse me, beat me, if you want to, but
do not call me cripple-not-not when
Louise IS present"
JACQUES looked 1T his brother, as if
doubling whether he had heard Alright,
and then, as he saw the Supplicating
look on the deformed boys face, he
broke out into coarse laugh.
Indeed" he sneered. We must
speak to monsieur respectfully: take
Off your hats, suppose. Why, we
will dress you up in silk and velvet:
You would like to wear gloves and
carry sword, l suppose
The picture which his coarse tauntS
had called up was so cOmical to his
mind that he was obliged TO stop speak
ing and indulge in another hearty
laugh.
an expression OF pain passed over
Pierre's face. He had hoped that his
brother would grant this simple favor,
aud his sneering words cut the poor
fellow to the heart.
''JacQues.' he said. in tone OF sad
ness and reprOach.
80 it hurts your feelings to be call
ed cripple, does it, continued Jacques
in a voice that hurt his brother more
than his blows would. Well, look at
yourself what you are?*
II am d poor. deiO:med cripple. an
swered Pierre. as he brushed away the
rising tear. And to whom do l owe
it? Who, when | was but an infant,
beat me, and broke and twisted my
limbs because l refused TO steal coat
for him?"
"Youlie. it was q cloak" interrupt
ed Jacques, tiercely.
THAT is always your way: contin-
ued the cripple, TO make some one
else steal for you. THAI WAS what
forced Door MarianGe-
''Marianne.." exclaimed jacques. is
he raised his hand TO strike the one
who thus brought up the past. Don I
YOU dare to mention that ungratctui
FOOLS name to me again. She was a
heartless jade. who woUld rather 90 TO
prison than give me her money" and
Jacques turned away with ar express
sion of disgust at the idea OF such IN
gratitude. .,