Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-07-29
broad arrows on it You'll ave to find

"And when ave found one, you'll be
looking out for a job yourself"
He marched down the path and on
the road. As he turned the corner OF
the village street, he became aware Of
an elderly lady advancing Ia his direc-
ton. There was something In the dig
nifed sorrow In her face that made him
pause. Mr.. Cadgitt was a man Of In
stinct. Instinct told him that this lady
was going to the cottage he had left.
Instinct told him that she was Sans
patroness. And instinct babe him
strike whilst the iron was hot.
'fBeg your pardon, num-" he whined,
''but could you spare a tride for an
old seldierw
The lady looked at him with a sud
den, quick interest.
"a soldier! !" she said. "And where
have you fought, my manT
"Most anywheres, num- replied Mr..
Cadgitt, cautiously. 81 were In the
Crimea."
The Iady's interest quickened.
"Ah," she said, softly. my husband
fought IN the Cr1mea.
did he now7" said Mr.. Cadgitt, with
very fair affectation of surprise
What might his name have been now"
"He was Captain Alvin" she an
swered ''Did you know him2"
'NIy old off1cerl" exclaimed Mr.. Cad
gift, ecstatically. Suddenly his face
dropped. 'But he were killed there,
mum!" he said, in dulcet tones of SYM
pathy. perhaps it amt the same"
mo-" replied the lady, sadly. ut
was the same. He was killed by a
Russian bullet"
She was evidently moved. Her eyes
filed with tears.
"Ah, WELL" said Mr.. Cadgitt, gently.
''He couldn't 'elp it, poor fellow. And
perhaps 'es better off where e is than
me. that was swindled something cruel
when got back from the war;"
"Swindled!" exclaimed the lady, sur
prised. "How swindled, my good
MANI"
at were this way, your ladyship,"
said Mr.. Oadgitt. when 1 got 'ome
from the war 1 fell into bad company.
There was low, sneaking fellow Of the
name Of Samuel Snider, who got me
into bad ways-drinking and such. At
that time e 'ad Wrinkle barrier In
low part Of London, but e lost Us
trade by poisoning is customers with
bad shell fish. e wanted me to sell
i'm my medal as I'd fought so ard to
gain. e said if e 'ad a medal like
that g could earn a living for ITSELF
easier than selling wrinkles. But said
no. I'd sooner part with life itself.
When e found as e couldn't get it
by fair means, e tried others; for e
were a man as'd stick at nothing. e
| put a drop o. summat In my drink one
night, and when 1 woke the medal
was gone and e was gone, and l was
left pennlless and destitute"
He drew his sleeve across his eyes to
wipe away the tears Of honest emotion.
'"This," said Mrs. Alvin, with kind
ling eyes, "is a very strange story, my
man."
Mr.. Cadgitt felt himself that it did
him credit; but he only murmured a
| platitude about truth and fiction.
'iAnd wot drives me mad is this,
num-" he said. II could stand being
penniless I could stand restitution.
But when think Of that man as is
somewhere about with my medal i'm
posing on the charity of kind 'earted
folk, it fair drives me crazy"
The old lady drew herself up.
"Come with me-" she said. '0This
must be seen to-"
"You don't mean to say as you know
him! I" said Mr.. Cadgitt, with every evil
dence of surprise. you don't mean to
say as it's ere as 'e's been imposing on
peoples"
"He is certainly here" said Mrs. AL
win, firmly.
'Well, now, to think of that" said
Mr.. Cadgitt. 'I'll go with you, mum,
and expose i'm. Mind you, though, it
don't do to let i'm ave too much Of a
say. e were very persuasive man
when l knew i'm and 'ad read that
many books about the Crimea that e
knew more about it than us that was
there Don't you let i'm say word, or
ell persuade you of anything"
az shall inquire into the matter with
strict impartiality," said Mrs. Alvin,
severely.
That's right, num-" said Mr.. Cad
gift, cocealing his disappointment as
best he might. $40 man could ask
more than that You be strictly impair
tial and shut i'm up the moment e
opens is mouth"
He turned and followed her to the
cottage. The veteran in the chair
noted their approach. His heart fail
ed him; and, feeling that perhaps half
a loaf was better than no bread, he