The Lambertville record., 1918-03-28
Down South
BY Augustus Goodrich Sherwin

cal force is complete and the only va
cancies are in the technical mechani-
cal department, In lines you probably
do not understand"
81 suppose not" retorted Elbert
Marcy. 81 want work. don't care
how hard or confning. / have been
an auditor, but my firm went out of
business. Then l had a long siege
of sickness, and"
He choked up a trifie, but brought
himself erect, trying to be brave. Lii
lian Ward, seated just beyond her ia
ther, experienced a sorrowful thrill.
She could imagine the pitifu story this
applicant for work might tell. John
Ward directed a keen glance at his
visitor. Then he opened a drawer
In his desk drew out a five-doIlar bill,
and pushed it across the glass top"
81 believe you are deserving" he
said. Don't he discouraged. A will
ing young fellow like you will strike
his gait"
"Father!'
Too late; the quick aspiration pro-
ceeded from Lillian's lips. Her de-
ment the eyes of Fbert Marcy flash
ed. Then they expressed mute graf
itude for the delicate motive of the
fair young girl.
81 could not take money without
equivalent compensation for yOu," he
said in a quiet, but decisive tone. 81
shall get along somehow. You have q
good heart, sir, and tit helps me-"
Hold on" spoke the big manufac-
turer, as Marcy turned to leave. 81
like your grit and manliness. Sit
down."
Marcy obeyed.
"You want work" he began musing-
ly. "a thought has occurred to me.
You need better climate than this
rough one, and building up. I hap
pen to own a patch Of land down
. South-so far down South that It's a
part of the wilderness. They say, how
!, ever. that the soil is so rich that crop
:, grows in month, and five harvests a
: year. l have sent my son to the land,
= provided money to build house and
y hire help to see what can be made of
. this patch. Would it suit you to Join
him and work?''
81 should be delighted" spoke Marcy
promptly and eagerly.
every WELL" said Mr. Ward 81
, will furnish you transportation and a
letter to my SON
"Your kindness gives me new life"
he spoke in an unsteady tone, and
then John Ward, all business led him
; to the cashiers desk and went into de-
tails. Once only, as he left the place,
Elbert Marcy directed a last glance at
Lillian Ward-reverent, grateful and
Irresistible She made slight mo-
tion of her head as If in parting bless
ing.
Far South, indeed in the midst of
lonely district always summery, but
sparsely settled remote, almost wild
as the primeval forest, did Ebert
Marcy find the patch of land that was
his Mecca. 1t was to face a great
disappointment. Upon the land was
the lumber to build a house, but no
Ward There was only one near neigh
bor. From him Marcy learned that
Young Ward had abandoned his task,
dlsgusted with the prospect Of hard
work, had taken the rest Of the money
entrusted to him by his father, and
had gone to New Orleans to squander
1t in reckless dissipation.
$50 here you're stranded, aren't
you? All right, come over to my place
; and help me through, will your ques-
toned the neighbor.
Marcy gladly acquiesced but not for
long. That very week great flood
sweIled the river to overflowing,
hayou Ievee burst, and the neighbOr
found his entire plantation under wa
ter
at won't clear for MONTH" he in
formed Marcy, "too late to put in the
crops. See here, you get to Riverton
and wire Mr.. Ward if he'll make it
; ffty-ffty. If you and use his land for
the season." which Marcy did, and an
asserting reply came.
They put in lettuce, which had a
profitable early market, and other
: nuIckrgrowing vegetables. At the end
of four months the crop was all sold.
Then the neighbor assisted Marcy in
building n neat, pretty bungalow with
the lumber already on the ground.
1t was n proud day when Ebert sent
TO Mr.. Ward a report of the progress
made and draft for 81 500. A reply
came week later; Circumstances
have changed with me, and I shall
visit the land month after next"
How Elbert Marcy worked to deco
rate the little home and set out roses,
honpySuckles and clematis! How love
" the little plat about the house look
cd the day that a carriage drove up.
and there alighted Mr., Ward and his
daughter.
ooh papa this is home!" cried Lii
liam. "What need you care for losing
your fortune, when such an Edenlike
haven of rest and plenty as this is pro-
vided for us by this kind frlend|'
1t needed not the mellow moonlight,
later. when father and daughter had
become domestlcated, nor the swaying
perfume of the sleeping flowers, nor
the low cadence of the nightingale, to
inspire love in those two young souls,
for they had loved each other all along.
And the old mans life was bright
ened when the wandering boy tired of
the follies and the husks of life, came
home TO settle down TO peace and
plenty,