The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-21

"As such have been taunted. But I ask no other title. The poor man in my dis trict is my business. I treat him pater- nally. My poor people on my estate are my children" You have thankful fam ily,' sneered Lady Bowley. My Lady, ingratitude is known to be the sin of that class" With great sentiment Sir Joseph opened and read the alderman's letter.
 My lady" said he, "the alderman is so kind as to ask If l will have Will Fern put down." Most agreeable" said my lady; the worst among them ; he had committed a robbery, I hope" Why, no, not exactly. It seems he came up to London seeking employment Crying to better himself. that's his story), and was found asleep under shed and taken into custody and brought before the alderman" Let him be made an example of, by all means" replied lady Bowley. Last winter, when I introduced pinking and yelet-holing among the men and boys of the village as nice evening em- ployment and had the lines
 O let us love our occupations,
 
 Live upon our daily rations
 And alwakys know our proper stations set to music on the new system for them to sing meanwhile, this very Will Fern touched his hat and said: My Lady, aint I different from a great girl?' I expected 1t, of course. Max e an example of him, Sir Joseph" So Sir Joseph dictated a letter to Alderman Cute asking to have Will Fern put alderman.
 As Toby started to go Sir Joseph said: Stop. You have heard, porter, certain remarks which I have made of the duty imposed upon us in settling up our accounts at the end of the year. Can you also say that you have made such preparations for the New Yesr?" Trotty stammered out that he was afraid he was little behind hand with the world There's a little matter of IF shillings owing to Mrs. Chicken stalker's shop, Sir Joseph, in the gen. eral line--and little money owing OH account of rent-a very little" Sir Jo- seph was mortified and expressed his horror.
 How can a man-even among the improvident classes-- But there, take the letter, take the letter." Toby went away more gloomy than ever. He had discharged his errand at the house of the alderman and hurried away to get out of the sound of the chimes least they should begin to ring out-"Friends | and fathers of the poor, friends and | fathers of the poor'-when suddenly he l trotted against some one-a man with a little girl in his arms. He begged pardon and the man sked him if he could tell him where Alderman Cute lived. He was on his way there to ap- pear before him on { charge of vag- rancy.
 It was Will Fern, aL l he told the same story that Toby had heard in the house of Sir Joseph concerning his arrest q was to have gone to him elsewhere tomorrow. but I was so uneasy That I wanted to be cleared of suspicion bs fore the New Year. and so am seeking shis house. I have given him my refereilces in the country. Surely he can find rothing against me-" "Oh, don't go therr don't go there. cried Toby. And he told of the letter he had heard dictated and the words of Lady Bowley. Will Fern hesitated, but was persuaded that his safe course lay in keeping away from the Alderman. Toby took the wayfarer home with him and gave him of his rough accommodations and his scanty fare, going without SUD- per himself that Will and his little or phaned niece Lillian might eat. Meg. you may be sure. was not behind her father in showing hospitality
 Will said that re had taken his moth- crless and fatherless niece and come up to London to see's friend of his dead sister,in-law who had promised to take care of the child. But he had been un-