Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-07-29


The morning was fine. A freshness
d spring was IN the air. The thruShes
sang In the branches and the sparrOws
aBittered on the dusty surface of the
road. All nature smiled. But Mr..
Henry Cadgitt did not. He had ex-
Derienced lamentable chapter Of ac-
eidents since he had left the workhouse
where he had spent the night. For ex-
ample, a man had offered him work.
And though an elderly lady whom he
had approached with a request for q
meal had given him one, she had pro-
tested that he looked I'll, and had stood
ever him while he drank a whole tum-
Bier Of cold camOmile tea. 1t was In
vain that he had assured her that the
medical faculty had been unanimous In
recommending hot whisky and water
Cor his complaint. She favored her
own prescription. Small wonder then
that natures smile awoke no answering
emotion in his breast Indeed, as he
Aobbled along the path, he got 1t into
Ais head that she was smiling at him /;
and her levity did nothing to improve
his temper.
Mr.. Cadgitt was venerable In years.
though not in appearance. Few would
have taken him for more than sixty,
though he had passed that age by ten
aong years No doubt his comparative
youthfulness was due to the care with
which, during a long life, he had re-
trained from labor. True, he was al
ways looking for a Jobi but then he
was equally careful not to find one.
Already the sun was high in the
heavens, and he began to think about a
second meal. 4 little before him the
village Of Sunnyd dale nestled in the val
ley. As he entered 1t, a cottage upon
ais right hand attracted his attention.
It was small, but wonderfully neat.
The lilac and hawthorn were in bloom
about it, and the garden was bright
with spring blossoms. Seated In q
chair by the door was an old man Of
venerable appearance. His face, though
lined with years, was free from care.
His white beard flowed down his
breast. Upon his coat q medal with
four clasps glittered in the sunlight.
He sat in dreamy meditation, putting
idly at a short clay pipe. He was'more
than venerable; he was even a noble
old man.
Mr.. Cadgitt approached, and leaned
over the hedge.
Mate" he said, you 'avn't bit o
Aaccy as you could spare to a poor
Bloke wot's down on is luck?
The veteran waved him away males
iically.
go away" he said, 81 don't give to
beggars."
Something In the voice touched a
aim chord OF memory in Mr.. Cadgitt's
mind.
swell, I'm blowed!' he said, too as
tonished to go more fully into the de
tabs OF that process. If it amt Sam
gniderl Wot cheer, Sam? Who'd ave
thought of meeting you ere? You've
been getting on in the world, blowed
II you 'ayen't! I'd never ave known
you If you 'adn't spoke"
The veteran looked annoyed.
II don't know you," he said. "'Go
away, tell you. Don't come here dis
iurbing an old soldier wat as fought
for his country"
Mr.. Cadgitt grinned.
~Wheref" he asked, concisely.
I'm the yCrimea," replied the other
proudly. alma. Inkerman. Balaclava
gebastopol." He fingered the clasps
on his medal with loving care.
For a moment Mr.. Cadgitt was I'm
pressed. His jaw dropped, and he
looked hard at the occupant Of the cot
tage as though he half thought he had
made a mistake. Then he grinned
again, and raised his finger impressive
ly.
"At the time OF the Crimean war,
he said. slowly, you were selling win
kles from a barrier in Seven Dials
Wots the little game, Sam2 1t amt nc
use trying to get round me. Don't you
round on pal, and / won't"