The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-19


public library, while no collection of
American authors is complete without it.
T was late in the afternoon when the
numbering stage set down at the
l. Sickle and Sheaf, a newly opened
tavern in Cedarville, a stranger whose
business occasionally called him to that
prosperous village. The beaming fa,e
of Simon Slade, the landlord, was a real
ly pleasant sight to see, and as the trav-
eler entered the neatly furnished sitting
room adjoining the bar he felt that he
had indeed found a comfortable resting
place after the tedious journey. Every
thing was as neat as new pin. Haven t
seen anything inviting this for a
long time" said the guest. How long
have you been open?' Only a few
r1onths." replied Simon. 1--WE are not yet
in good going order-it takes time. Have
you dined YETI" mo, everything looked
so dirty at the stage house where we
stopped for dinner that 1 did not venture
upon the experiment of eating"
Simon told him that he would soon give
him steak cooked 'fit for an alderman"
and he was as good as his word. The
dining room was as neat as the sitting
room and tho service was excellent. A
young girl OF about 16 passed through
the room and Simon said with evident
pride. MY daughter" you are a happy
man to have such a daughter said the
guest. II an a happy man." replied ST.
mon Slade; II have always been happy
nan and always expect to be. Simon
S1ade takes the world as he finds it and
takes it easy" MY son. he added, as a
boy of - entered. speak to the gentle
man.
The boy lifted a pair of deep blue eyes
from which innocence beamed as he Of
fered his hand to the stranger and said.
How do you do. sir?" The boys face
was of almost girl-like beauty, in which
the harder lines of his character were
already beginning to be visible. Frank
and Flora their Names, said the
landlord. 1.-THE names sound pleasant To
our ears, but you know parents are apt
10 be a little partial and overload. Frank,
my son, there is some one In the bar
you can wait on his as well as I can.
A handy boy that-very handy boy; he
mixes a toddy or a punch just well
as I can-almost as good in the bar as
a man."
But are you not afraid to place a boy
so young as that in the way of tempta-
TOM
The landlords brow clouded. mo. sir,
he comes of honest parents. Simon Slade
never wronged any man of a penny. This
till is safe in the hands of his son.
"Oh." replied the guest, II was not re-
ferring to the till, but the bottle" The
gathered brow cleared. rs that all? No
fear there; Frank has no taste for liquor.
No fear there, SIR"
Through the open door the stranger
could see into the bar and his attention
was presently attracted by the entrance
Of a young manor, rather, boy, for ne
could not have been more than 19-wit1
a fine, intelligent face that was ALREADY
slightly marred by sensual indulgence.
He raised a glass to his lips and drank
it at single draught. Just right" lie
said, you are first rate at mixing q
brandy toddy. Never drank a better in
my life.' Franks smiling fare showed
that he appreciated the compliment.
THAT is Willy Hammond" said the
landlord, "the son of Judge Hammond.
who lives in the large brick house just
as you como into the village. He is
about the finest young man in our neigh
borhood-everybody likes him; high spir-
tied and honorable. Willy Hammond
would rather cut off his right hand than
do a dishonorable action" The traveller
went into the barroom and at once felt
an interest, not unmixed with concern,
in Willy Hammond. He seemed a youth
of such great promise and was so GER
in the day he saw the boy, Frank, after
serving a customer. raise to his lips 4
half-emptied glass and sip, with evident
satisfaction, the dregs of a brandy tod
DIV. This also much distressed him.
Simon showed his guest around the
place. Everything was in perfect order,
presenting a model of a village inn. ~
used to be miller, sir" said Simon, land
a better miller though 1 do say it, was
not in this section of the country. But
got tired of hard work and determined to
lead an easier life and make more money
A tavern keeper Is just as respectable as
a miller. In fact, people who used to call
me Simon or Neighoor Dustycoat' now
say Landlord or Mr.. Slade.' And that
isn't ALL I have materially advanced the
prosperity of Cedarville. A good tavern
ALWAYS draws people to a place, while an