Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-07-15
KINDRED
SOULS
By JESSIE E. sHERWIN

Did You direct Parsons not to eject
those delinquent tenants in the Waters
buIIdingT"
4 did, Uncle, and FASTENED here to
inform you Of the circumstances"
SWELL" observed Adam Paget, Il
have cOuntermanded the order. You
take a good deal upon yourself In vio-
lating the stringent rules Of this Office.
But uncle, listen to me-" replied
Waldron Hume eagerly and with earn
estness. 1.-THE Dentons, father and
daughter, are honest, deserving people.
They are about to leave, anyway, and
are only awaiting a remittance from
some relatives at a distance to remove
to another part of the country and pay
you up"
"And beat me out Of another weeks
rent" snarled Paget. mo, no."
"But you don't understand" pleaded
Hume. "The father is an invalid. They
are at the very verge of destitution.
1t made my heart bleed to realize their
condition. Uncle, l will make up your
demand out of my own pocket, but do
not drive these poor unfOrtunates to
hOmelessness."
Mighty sympathetic, aren't your
sneered Paget. do you suppose took
you into my business to have you break
my rules and beggar met AS to your
prOteges, you are too late. Their few
belongings were levied on an hour ago
and they are probably seeking some
new landlord victim"
WaIdron Hume stood regarding his
rapacious relative with q glance Of
suppressed anger and open contempt.
He removed a wallet from his pocket
and placed It on the desk before his
uncle.
"Your papers," he said.
"What does that meanT"
"That you have taught me that q
humble life back among my native
hills is preferable to selling my soul
in a business OF cruelty and extOr-
tiOn," and with the words the young
man left the Office and bent his steps
swiftly back to the wretched tenement
house he had visited earlier that morn
ing. ...
His lips were compressed, his eyes
filled with indignation as he re-entered
the building where for the first time
he had met John Denton and his
daughter. He had gone there in the
course Of his duties to ask for delln-,
Quent rent Of the two rooms they oc-
cupied. His heart had stirred at wit
Messing the sorrow Of the beautiful
girl pleading Tor time. for q day or
two, until expected. money was re-
ceived. he had given orders by tele-
phone to Parsons, the man employed
by his uncle 70 serve papers and the
like, to leave the Dentons undisturbed.
Now he found the tenants gone and
their few poor sticks OF furniture re-
moved by the bai1iF to satisfy the In
suitable greed Of the man he was
ashamed to recognize as OF his kindred.
Then passing down the hall he was
hailed by a Woman occupying. the
front rooms Of the fiat.
TITS Mr.. Hume, rs II nOt?' she
asked. please, sir. those poor souls
back Of me have been evicted."
II have just learned So" answered
Hume gravely. 'Can you tell me
where they have gone TOT"
G "Sufe I've given them shelter. The
old gentleman Is well nigh Frustrated
with the excitement and rOughness Of
the balllff and his sweet child is near
~ heartbrOken.
Old MFR. Denton lay on couch, his
daughter seated at his side striving to
speak words Of comfort and hope as
Hume came into their presence. In
q very few words he explained the
circumstances Of his uncle's action.
Then he added:
''Mr. Denton, Miss Denton, I wish
you to allow me to make up for my
mistake in, supposing could prevent
what has occurred by being your
friend. You might have to wait here
many days before you hear from your
friends. have a home to Offer you
until you, AFR. Denton, have regained
your health and where the best moth
er a man ever had will welcome your
daughter and strive to make her for
get her sorrows. VIII you trust to
me to help you over a hard place in
life that comes to many in the ups and
downs of experlence2 My mother
lives hundred miles west OF here.
She hasa comfortable home and plen-
ty Of room to spare. She is lonely,
loving, full Of gracious deeds. and /
want you to go to her with me. MY
brief experience in the cold, cruel
city has not destroyed the spirit she
incuIcated IN me to extend 3 helping
hand to the prosecuted and worthy
whenever / could"
''And it is on our account that you
have lost your business position p
quavered John Denton, at the point
of tears as he realized this noble self.
sacrifice.
eve need not speak OF that" re-
piled Hume. II am anxious as your
selves to get among those who have
only tenderness and love for those in
distress"