Charlevoix county herald., 1906-12-01
The Vindication of Paphroditus
By S. B. HACKLEY

his wet cheek. as her mother flounced
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 mis- 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 Paphroditus, took forked
twig out from peach tree, and be-
gun to tramp about the yard. The
mystical rod never changed its posi-.
f! 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,
his hoes and digger.
| Whatever is your Pap doin' 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 prizin' al
that old hearth-rock. l guess your
Paps gittin ready to dig well-a
follerin' after a fool sign l told him
to pay no attention to-"
When at length the heavy stone was
pried out of its longtime bed the
neighbor, Josh Lee 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.
Paphroditus raked out little of the
dry earth with hoe, then suddenly
dropped on his knees, and dug with
his fingers in the loosened dirt. Lu-
cinda watched him curiously.
Priscilla took hold of her arm.
| What is il, 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 soins. Presently
Paphroditus raised himself and threw
up his hands.
Thank the Lord fer his mercy"
he fervently CALCULATED.
Help us, Prille!" 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 be g a n
thitkly, 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 20
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 can see, will
you?"
Priscilla did not answers but ss 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
fed.
Paphroditus, 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 q Lucindy," he con.
tinued, wistfully, cant you believe in
me 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
What She Remembered.
Husband--Many people at church