Middletown transcript., 1908-06-20
FOR TINS SAKE
BY DON MARK LEMON

until it was out of their sight,
then they walked together back
to the little cottage.
How swiftly the train sped on.
How it rushed through the val.
leys and thundered through the
hill! How many, many hundreds
of telegraph-poles few by! How
many farms were passed by on
the right, and brooks and water
tanks and pastures on the left!
Finally the train stopped, aud
Vanderbilt hurried John and
Martha Langton to the side of a
dilapidated four-seated buggy
waiting at the depot. You are
to drive straight to the poor
house, were his directions TO the
lank, freckle-faced youth who
held the reins of the team.
The youth stared incredulously
then said. something that the old
folks did not overhear, but at
which Vanderbilt turned pale.
He made as if to seize the lank
young fellow and force the truth
from him, as though the latter
had lied, but suddenly forbore
and, slipping coin into his hand,
whispered him some hurried di-
rections. Immediately John and
Martha Langton were helped into
the dilapidated vehicle, and the
four rode away.
After the village had been
passed, the horses were forced
to a rapid pace, and soon the out
lying grounds of a large and
handsome edifce were reached.
Here the horses were stopped,
and Vanderbilt got down.
Now, my good people, this is
the place. You get off here, and
we'll walk the rest of the dis
tance. 1t wouldn't look we'll to
ride up to the gate in a buggy
for they mightn't let you in.
Then the lawyer reached out bis
hand and helped Martha Lang
ton from the vehicle to the dusty
road, and John Langton also got
down.
So this is the poorhouse?
1 believe I told you that be-
fore, said lawyer Vanderbilt
CURLY.
Martha Langton touched the
lawyer on the arm. Oh, sir, do
not be harsh with John and me
We need kindness now.
Vanderbilt nuttered some
thing and, climbing back into the
buggy, threw down a small hand
satchel to the road. Then he
leaned over and gave the horses
a sudden vicious cut with the
whip. The angered team, snort
ing and quivering, leaped for
ward down the road at a furious
pace, throwing the lawyer back
into his seat and shaking the
vehicle until. it seemed in immi-
nent danger of falling to pieces.
Another minute, and the team
had passed out of sight around a
bend in the roadway, and John
and Martha Langton were alone.
The former was the first to
speak. He bean't coming back,
Martha.
No, John, he bean't coming
back.
The two old folks walked slow
ly and silently down the road,
and came at last to, the arched
gateway of the handsome build
ing before whose grounds they
had been deserted - and be-
trayed.
Let's go inside and rest our.
selves a bit under the trees, said
John. Maybe somebody will see
US and come and welcome US.
Seems to be a right smart place
like for the county poor, don't it
now, Martha? John Langton's
old blue eyes wandered from the
pleasant walks and stately trees
to the handsome edifice beyond.
Maybe it's a gift of one of those
rich men, like Tim reads about.
Hush, some ones coming!
A woman came into view down
a graveled sidepath. She was
perhaps fifty years of age, and
her kind, gentle face appealed
Instantly to the old folks.
It's the matron, whispered
Martha. Say howdy-do to her.
Good afternoon to you, ma am.
John Langton rose and lifted his
hat.
You are resting yourself, see,
smiled the woman. Won't you
come in and have some tea?
With hearts devoutly thankful
for the kind providence that