The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

more explicit out of 1t than Pip. Ills only knowledge of his parents was de- rived from their tombstones. The shape of his fathers gave him the idea that he was a square, dark man. with curly hair And the inscription underneath 1t, 'Georgiana, Wife of the Above made him happily confident that they had gone to their reward.
 His sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery wife of the blacksmith, had brought him up by hand a process which furnished a never failing subject of conversation to her and Uncle Pumblechook, large, hard-breath- ing. slow man with mouth like fish.
 Be thankful, boy. to them IS brought you up by hand" Uncle Punbleehook would say, rufling Pip's hair with his heavy hand. Let your behavior be d credit to them as brought you up by hand And how much is six times nine
 "Grateful?" cried Mrs. Gargery in rasp- ing tones that seemed a perfectly proper accompaniment to her rasping, bony body. ..Why did do it. I should like to know! They'll drive me to the churchyard be- twixt them!'
 Then Uncle Pumbechooks idiotically self-satished eyes would stare more idl- otically than ever, as he nodded solemnly And Joe Gargery, feeling the f1axen curls on the sides of his mild face, and looking helplessly at Mrs Joe out of his light blue eyes, would help Pip furtiyely to gravy as a secret consolation.
 Pip's favorite refuge in the evening was in the chimney corner behind Joe leg. which he held there proteetinsly. aswhen your sister is on the rampage, Pip" MT. Gargery whispered at such times, "candor compels fur to admit that she is a buster But, Pip, she is fine figure of a woman"
 In the daytime, when Joe's protection was wanting Pip resorted to the grave yard, the bleakest spot in all that bleaK marsh country. forever haunted by creep ing mists from the nearby sea.
 It was here that he first attained the conviction that Philip Pirrip, late of this parish. and Georgiana. wife of the above, were dead and buried, and that he him. self was a small bundle of shivers grow ing suddenly afraid of the churehyard and the mists and the marshes.
 He began to cry. Keep still you little devil. or I'll cut your throat! cried terrible voice A man started up from among the graves; a fearful man, all Tn coarse gray, with a great iron on his leg: A man with broken shoes and an old rag tied around his head; man who had been soaked in water and smothered in mud, who limped and shivered. ..who are you and where do you live? Quick, said the man. his teeth chatter ing with cold.
 Pip told him, trembling and begged him not to cut his throat.
 .erhat depends" said the man darkly. You bring me, here, tomorrow morn ing early, a file and some vittles. You do it. and you never dare to say word concerning me. and you shall be let to live. You fail, or you go from my words in any partickler, no matter how small and your heart and liver shall be tore out, roasted and ate. boy may lock his door, tuck himself comfortable and safe. but there is ways of softly creep Ing to him and tearing him open
 As soon as Pip promised to obey the
  fully toward the marshes.
 That evening Joe looked at Pip many times with silent anxiety beseeching him in dumb show to eat and even trying to form silent questions with his lips until Mrs. Joe was irritated beyond endurance. Fortunately at this moment her attention was distracted by heavy report that shook the air
 .sAhr said Joe. There's another con xict escaped from the Hulks down yon- der. There was a convict off last night, and they fired warning of him. And now they're firing warning of another"
 Pip was about to ask some questions but Mrs Gregory perceived his evil in tention in time. "I tell you what young fellow" she said, T didn't bring you up by hand to badger peoples lives out. People are put in the Hulks because they rob and steal and they always begin bv asking questions. Now get along to bedl'
 Through the black hours that followed Pip lay awake in mortal terror-terror of the fearful man with the ironed leg, and terror of himself who, under an aw ful promise, was about to rob Mrs, Joe and begin his career toward the dread ! full Huks.
 Before dawn he stole to the pantry and took great supply of food and drink. Then, having abstracted a file from the forge, he ran through the gloom and the fog to the churchyard.
 The man was there, shivering as if he had not left off all night. He fell on the food like beast devouring different things all at once. Only for one instant did he cease to ask: You're not a de- ceiving imp? You brought no one with your
 "No,' said Pip.
 Well" said the man, 'I believe you. You'd be but a fierce young hound indeed if at your time O life you could help hunt wretched warmint, hunted as near death and dunghill as this poor war mint is."
 There was queer sound in his throat. and he drew his ragged rough sleeve over his eyes Plying him. Pip said: q am glad you enjoy the vittles."
 '"Thankee, my boy, I do said the man, looking at him with something softened in his savage eyes "Thankee"
 He crammed the remnants of the food into the breast of his rough coat and fell to filing madly at his iron. Pip told him timidly that he must get back homo and receiving no reply. ran away. Ht stopped after a while in the mist ant