The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-08

ocoLl. 1ou NnuSln Keep SO mucn
money carelessly.'
II declare, John. if I can get in a
word edgeways, I'd like to remark
tha! .his should be a lessen 70 some
farmers I know who are getting poor
er ev:ry year rai:lny cotton,' SAID
Mary seriously.
"One farmer has learner tac les
son. dear, and if God spares his mis-
cradle life and restores him to
strength again he will profit by it, :"
replied John, stroking her brown har-
dened hand lovingly.
But we must hurry over the month
of July. Glad to say that The 18th
Of August found our twins in posses
sion Of $500. Tomatoes had been in
great demand and they received fancy
prices for them and other vegetables.
Crops were better than in years-eo
was Johns health. He Stunned town
as much as possible and being truly
repentent, was beginning to gain
strength and grace sufficient to over
come his one great weakness. Hope
stole back into his heart as, on the
morning of the 18th Of August he
gazed with pride on the corn and cot
ton that had been "laid by" and
looked so promising. Surely it would
be easy to raise that last five hundred
dollars and free the old farm from
debt when the crops were gathered.
Alas! in the afternoon of the same
day terrible hail storm swept
through the country and for miles a.
round all vegetation was completely
destroyed. Leaning on table with
his head buried in his arms John was
perfect picture Of despair. Great
sobs shook his body, and half distract
ed herself, Mary was vainly trying to
comfort him.
"Gone! gone! the old home will
never be redeemed, Mary! and I had
rather die than leave it!"/he groan-
ed.
"Dear, we have each other and our
precious children yet-don't grieve
SOL" pleaded the wife with hex arms
around him.
"Mary, I'm punished more than I
can bear!' he almost shrieked.
"John, are you the only one who
has suffered, do you think7"
"Mary, you don't know how I feel
about this-I-can't- 't-Oh! the man
who holds the mortage Will so gloat
over OR misfortune-he is so anx-
ions to get the place ~ and
Johns voice broke completely.
Two little figures paused in the
doorway; two little faces grew still
and white with anxiety; two loving
hearts throbbed in sympathy. John
continued:
"Mary, you know as we'll as [,
that years Of steady drinking ruined
my health and caused me to neglect
the farm. If I had ever possessed the
tenth part as much push, pluck and
energy as our darling children, the old
farm would be different place. But
it's gone! now-I'l never have the
chance to realize hopes Of this morn
ing-the old farm must 60, now
Oh! Mary, why did you marry me9''
"Because loved you, John; and l
love you still more as the years 60 by.
What care we what happens, just so
we have each other and the twins9'
kissing him.
Two little hearts reached the sub
lime heights of self-forgetfulness and
two faces glowed with the glory Of
self-sacrifice. Noiselessly leaving the
room, the twins soon returned with
the cigar box and its treasured con-
tents. Little hands raised Papa's
head, and his tears we're kissed away.
"Now Papa, we are going to help
you right out Of this. Here's our bank
and all it contains with our love and
best wishes," said Paul in glad
voice.
eyes, papa, an it's $500 sure!'
chinaed in Paulina. "We don't want
piano. We've got so we'd rather
play with the hoe! And la! the way
we can make music on these old flint
rocks would astonish YOU. Take it
now, Papa, darling, d." she pleaded
as he pushed the box away and shook