The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1903-01-23

iit .uVhc tIlli'ui. uOn llhe
him, but its rather well of him to
hunt nuts for me. If he'll keep on at
it I'D have no objection TO his staying
here until they get back home"
Its the identical old breed, ! do
believer the tramp said, smilingly,
watching the Chancellor as he picked
vigorously at the shells.
IL remember one. that last Thanks
giving. Anice would pick up nuts
for him. and make me crack them for
the impudcnt old beggar."
What's that he's saying about
Aniceg How can he know Anice?
He better mind his " business.
He's a curious looking beggar. /
must examine him." the Chancellor
said. stepping gingerly over the short
grass and coming nearer.
How pretty she was with those
big gray eyes, and hair like FURNISHED
gold, and her little mouth, like a red
rosebud! II was always'Cousin Don
aid when she wanted anything or got
into scrapes."
The tramp looked around slowly
over the trim. well kept garden, and a
late marechal neil rose, growing on an
espalier nea by, nodded TO him in
friendly fashion.
I'D like to know who he's talking
about" said tie Chancellor, uncasily.
ut really sounds like Il description Of
Anice. | must stay here and watch
this fellow until they come back. If
he tries to get in the house, | will
raise such a racket that John, the but
Ter, will come out to see what is the
matter"
%'lIere are two MORE said the
tramp, throwing some nuts. "Ies,
you are the counterpart Of that other
old fellow, Anice's pet.
"What a warm-hcartcd, impulsiyc,
irrational, lovely creature she grew to
be! But | never deceived myself.
Gerald stood first always.
Poor boy, how it all comes back a
beautiful day like this.
81 had just come in from the city.
lie opened the library door and beck
oncd me, | read it all in his white,
haggard facc-so like mothers!
1T was awful, just on the threshold
Of life! lie had Away, been mothers
fayoritc.
"And while he begged me TO save
him ! seemed to see her sweet face
pleading for her handsome boy
"And Anicc. lie was first with
Anice. God! il vas hard! hard.
to lose him, her esteem! To be- brand
cd for all time!
swell, il was worth the sacrifice,
old Gobblar!
"And not hard to fasten the guilt
on the guiltlcss-thc law serves all
purposes, and the courts are vehicles
for the miscarriage Of justice. lfyou
have any knowledge Of life, friend,
you must know that"
"Fricnd, indeed! have a name, as
he will find out, for he seems to have
settled himself on that bench as il he
intends to take his abode here. But
Pm determined 10 watch him close
ly.'
"Who does Sc remind me Of!
Somebody know quite well. II he
had a little flesh on his bones and
wore decent clothes, and if his hair
was properly trimmed, and not so
shaggy and gray, he'd be u very good
looking fellow. Handsome, in fact.
A gentleman once on a time, certain.
Drink, | suppose. Oh, he needs
Watching
The tramp sat with arms folded
across his breast, looking out at the
%crimsoning western sky and long
shafts Of light bathing the stately,
peaceful house.
"Just such an evening 20 years
ago." he said.
"Anice was in the garden when !
passed out. She called. But why
turn! | had given Gerald a promise
to saw him. In passing through that
gate-I passed out Of thor lives.