The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-11-30
The Vindication Of Paphroditus
By S. B. HACkLEY

Lucindy shifted scornfully. The
signi Paphroditus Ramsey, will you
never learn no sense? Here you go
bring in a big. hungry man to feed and
bed, just because he has a sign to
play off On you to git fed two or three
meals. How we goin' to dig a we'll
and no money? A poor Twin we have.
and a worse one we would have Of ]
took In ever straggler that comes!
| hate the day / married you,"
The slow tears crept in Paphroditus'
faded eyes, and the blind girl ran
across the p%uncheon floor and leaned
on her fathers shoulder, and patted
his wet cheek. as her mother fiounced
out OF the room.
Never mind. Daddy" she whis-
pered. Nanny don't mean more'n
half she says! Don't you fret, Daddy.
we know Ma amt meanin' nothin'!"
Paphroditus took the pale face be-
tween his hands and kissed the clear
brown eyes that could not see.
How many times Priscilla had in
tervened to save him from her moth
er's wrath, or comforted him when
she scolded!
Next morning after an early break
fast, the printer guest, eagerly
watched by P%aphroditus, took a forked
twlg out from a peach tree, and be-
gun to tramp about the yard, The
mvStica1 rcd naxar ohapuad SIC pnci.
ton in his hands until he stepped upon
the large fiat rock that had been the
hearth-stone in the old house that
was burned. Then the twig began to
tremble convulsively and suddenly
jerked downward. Again and again
the witchery was tried from every
direction, but the twig would only fall
when the witch" stepped upon the
old hearth-stone.
You will surely find water at a
depth of ten feet" he assured his host
at parting.
Next morning Paphroditus rose
early and while his wife prepared the
morning meal, he collected his spades,
MS noes and dlSger.
Whatever is YOU Pap a dom out
there by the old hearth-rock. Prillie?"
Lucinda exclaimed two hours later.
There's Thad Counts and Josh Lee
and Josh's two hired men with him,
and they'll all a liftin' and a prizin' at
that old hearth-rock. / guess your
Pap's a gittin' ready to dig a well-a
follerin' after a fool sign | told him
to pay no attention to-"
When at length the heavy stone was
pried out of its longtime bed, the
%1eighbor, josh Les and his men laugh.
ingly expressed their good wishes for
the success of the well and hurried
back to their work from which they
had reluctantly come at Paphroditus'
urgent request, but young Counts
fingered, hoping to catch a glimpse Of
Priscilla.
P~aphroditus raked ont a little OF the
dry earth with a hoe, then suddenly
dropped IN his knees, and dug with
his fingers in the loosened dirt. Lu-
cinda watched him curiously.
Priscilla took hold of her arm
What is it, mother?" she asked
eagerly as the older woman gave an
excited exclamation.
The two men, kneeling by the hole
were rapidly turning over something,
as though counting coins. Presently
P~aphroditus raised himself, and threw
up his hands.
Thank the Lord fer his mercy"
he fervently calculated.
Help us, Prillie!" exclaimed her
mother, Il believe they've found the
gold money your granpap buried!"
She sat down weakly on the top
step of the porch as the men ap-
preached each bearing three long
rust-corroded tin boxes.
"Lucindy," Paphroditus began
thickly, laying his burden at her feet.
the sign o. good fortune is proved
true. Somethin' is turned up at last!
The $4,000 in gold is ~found-the debt
can be paid, Prillie can be made to
see, and her and Thad-her and
Thad--" he hesitated and looked at
Thaddeus.
Flushed and eager, and with his
blue eyes bright with hope, the young
man turned to the little trembling
figure.
20 Prillie," he pleaded, "you won't
turn me away when you al see, will
you"
Priscilla did not answer but she
did not elude his eager arms, and she
laid her head on his breast with a
little sob OF Joy, and Thad was salts
fled.
P~aphroditus, overcome, sank down
on the step beside Lucindy.
I'm powerful glad, Lucindy," he
murmured, brokenly, powerful glad
for your sake somethin' has turned up
at last!' And o L%ucindy," he con-
tinued, wistfully. cant you believe in
me a little now?"
Lucindy drew the bowed griZzled
head down on her lap, and softly pat
ted the knotted hands that rested on
her knees.
1--WE allus believed In you, Paphry,"
she said, her voice full Of remorseful
tenderness, "always--no matter what
I've said"
Copyright. 1906, by Daily Story Pub. Coz