Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-28

make YOU comfortable shall be lacking.
Cheer Ut. my friend! We have come
late, but we have come with a pur-
pose
"'May ask the sick man inquired.
with feebleness which proved that
the excitement of the moment was
weakening him, who you are and why
you are so kind?
"He addressed himself to me, but 1t
was naturally my friend who answered
him.
"I am Israel Cutting, Of the law
firm of Mcdonald & Cutting. This gen.
tleman Is Mr.. Degraw. If we seem
kind II Is because your condition seems
to call for any honest mans sympathy
and consideration
"'But the money ~ you spoke OF
money. have not any. l cannot even
pay for my-my-' A cough CT! him
short.
".We do not always know what We
have observed the lawyer, quietly
Sometimes when we think ourselves
quite poor providence pours an unex.
pected fortune into our laps. You need
not worry about money; you have
enough
IL thought the man would rise up out
or his ped IN the sudden eagerness
which seized him.
"'Ah! what is thisv he cried. What
do you mean by "fOrtune"-"uneXpect.
cd fortune" fortune poured into ones
lap?" Is there money for me? Real
money? Not charitable bounty, but
money that is mine through law and
justice? Has the case been declded?'
1--WE did not answer; we did not dare
to, lest he should fall dead before our
eyes. We only smiled, but with great
encourn cement. and, as I hope, with
great sympathy.
"'Ah. he murmured, after a moment
of silent survey. you look as If / had
not guessed amiss. 1t has come, then;
come, after years of hopeless waiting;
come to pay for my burial, after hav-
ing failed to provide me with medi-
cnes and care.
"'But We will have no burial now
exclaimed my friend. Such an event
should inspire you with new life
"Too late! too late" sighed the
other, and his arms. which had been
lifted in thank fulness to heaven. slow
ly dropped, while his head settled back,
end only his ewes showed the triumph
which this sudden knowledge Of riches
had awakened within him. You are
not deceiying meT he now said. 1
have really won the case?'
"Mr. Cutting bowed. and showed him
some documents which he drew out OF
his pocket. The sick man looked at
them. smiled proudly, and seemed for
minute to regain certain strength.
az knew the money ought to be
mine said he, but never expected
jury would agree with me. All, If l
had only two days before me, or one
day. would
"The lawyer interrupted him.
"'Have you any relatives| he asked.
'The sick man shook his head.
"'I have neither kith nor kim he
answered. I have not even so much
as a cousin in this world
lis 1t possible" exclaimed the
lawyer; whom Is this money going
toY
"'How much Is It? asked Mr.. De-
lancy.
"Oh, a large sum, hundreds Of thou
sands
81 t4ly ~ n n n
ton, then looked slowly and with an
expressive comment round the room
that would not have been considered
decent home for an ordinary hod-
carrier.
"'And l owe for this! he exclaimed.
May l ask here he turned with
strange persistency to me. that one
of you gentlemen will be good enough
TO pay the woman who rents me this
room all that | owe her? l should
like to see 1t done with my own eyes.
Perhaps she will swear at me less and
let me have cup Of tea that is not
stone cold
1.-The lawyer sprang to the door with
alacrity. AS he did so we heard
bustlng sound without. but when he
had reached the hall, he found no one
and had to call again and again before
the horrid old woman, who seemed to
be the sole owner and inhabitant or
this establishment, appeared.
"'What does this gentleman owe
your was the lawyers brusque in
terrUgatory as ner wicKea lace showed
itself inside the door.
"She stammered, seemed at loss to
mention the sum. and finally said:
"a hundred dollars.
"'No, no. came from the bed. But
the lawyer, with wave Of his hand,
calmcd the man behind and intimidat-
cd the woman before him.
"A hundred dollars" he repeated,
for Il room without a carpet, a bed
without sheets, plate without food!
If you get ten, you will do well. I am
lawyer, woman, and have seen the
like Of you before. Where are this
gentleman's clothes? And the watch
that used to hang in that case, and the
books that used to lie on that shelf?
"'Gone,' she cried; he pawned them
"'And gave you the money! 1t is
not ten dollars you want, but month
in the penitentiary. You have been
paid for all he has had from you, over
and over, and now you owe him. Give
us the hundred dollars you ask. 1t
would not buy the books you have
stolen from him.
Her face, which was as brown as
old parchment, took on livid hue.
She skunk back and disappeared from
sight, and the lawyer, with quiet
chnckle. flung q silver piece after her