Pittston Gazette

              • V- CMh - tSXn /:D. , .. ""£*. Newsuauei id the Wyoming Valley PITT8T0N, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER (J, 1891. A Weedy Local and Fanulv lournal. — H! JBI k— greatly pleased, and he praised himself and felt like patting himself on the back for being so great and good. the meeting at last broke up and Blatchford and his wife were left alone in the parlor, where for some timo they remained silent. Finally Blatchford spoke. lie said: and putting herself in the most-rigid attitude, preserved a perfect silence. Blatchford was detailing to his wife the particulars of a plan for the repainting and repairing of the church. and he left the house that morning in a sad, dejected state of mind. ' "Yes," said John, "but that, I fear, I shall not be able to give her. I have raised the last dollar that I can raise— mortgaged everything that I can mortgage, and now it is all gone, and them is not a morsel of food in the house. I don't know what in the name of God I am to do next. I cannot sit here and see my wife die of hunger, and I kaow of no way to prevent it. What am I to do, doctor? What can 1 do?" along lor a lew aays, nowever, i am certain you can count on him for the favor when he returns." Father's Victim. knowledge that 1 did act imprudently, but I was driven to it. You know what my situation is, and you ought to be willing to make some allowances. However, I will now pay you that part of the debt for which the horses and wagon stood as security, and that, I suppose, will make the matter all right." "No, I can't accept such terms. It would be setting a bad precedent for my customers, and would lead to no end of trouble." r •» trouble for your parents," he oooiiy replied, "except it be for your sake? They are nothing to me, while you are all the world. Be mine, Louise, and then I will continue my interest in them. Befnse my offer, and I cut myself away from the family. I will not try further to force you to accept my terms. I make them known to you, and show rthe alternative, and leave you free choose as you wish. You can become mine and save your parents, or yon can refuse my offer and submit to the consequences." "Now," said Rev. Wheedler after a short silence, "we as a church must raise some funds for sending a missionary to break the bread of life to the heathen. This is a great and glorious work, and I hope our members will open their hearts liberally to the poor benighted souls that are going to an endless death for the want of the Christian Gospel." Reaching his office he plunged into his business duties with unusual energy, and for a little while held to them; "but soon his thoughts wandered back to the scene at home, and between him and his papers there flitted pictures of his child. Now he saw her face, pale, sad and sunken, looking reproachfully into his eyes, rjid again he caught a glimpse of her form, no longer rounded and plump as of old, but an emaciated skeleton, telling only too well the story of want and suffering. For an hour or more he tried to banish his daughter from his thoughts and concentrate his mind upon the business he had in hand, but in spite of all his efforts pictures of his child would dance across his papers to distract him and add to his selfaccusations."If I can do no better I shall liavte to wait," John replied, as he left the office, "but God only knows how we are to keep the breath of life in us unless we have food." "The words of that woman have disturbed me, Sarah, and I feel that I am to a great extent responsible for the sufferings of many of those poor people out there in Kansas. I might have been more lenient with them and saved them the loss of so much money In that Paradise Park boom. Suppose Mary should be suffering at some other person's hands what my victims are suffering at mine?" "It can be done for a hundred dollars," he said, "and that amount can be easily raised." A .TOaY OF WESTERN LIFE "I should think so," replied Sarah. "You will give something, I know." John returned to his team to go home, but the thought of going back with no money or provisions was a great disappointment to him, and he could hardly make up his mind to it. lie sat down by his wag«n and gazed vacantly across the street at the display of goods in front of a grocery store. By THOitAi P. M O ST FOR T. "Yes, I have already subscribed twenty-five dollars. Ten for myself, ten for you and live for mother." "Green," replied the doctor, "if I could I'd help you. But I can't. I am working for nothing, for my patients have 110 money to pay me, and I have scarccly enough to live on. I haven't a dollar. If I had you should have a part of it. But I'll see if I can't manage in some way to raise some money for you. I don't know what success I'll i.ave, and I can't encourage jT,u to hope for anything. I can only try. It is not necessary for mc to come and see the patient again for several days, but if I am so fortunate as to do anything for you I'll come at once." (CONTINUED.) "Amen to that," exclaimed Brother Blatchford, "and to show my faith by iny works, I will subscribe fifty dollars to t'liut fund." Aunt Mitchell said nothing just then, but the corners of her mouth began to twitch and she jabbed her fork into the food viciously. Two or three minutes passed in perfect silcncc, then Aunt Mitchell laid her knife and fork down, drew a long breath, and said: "What do you mean to do, then?" John asked with trepidation. "I can do but one thing," replied Mills, "and that is to let the law take its course. I suppose you know what that will lead to." CHAPTER XIX. THE CHRISTIAN AID SOCIETY. Having spoken thus Pearson arose and walked to and fro along the bank, while Louise sat buried in sorrow and doubts. That was the most trying hour of her sad life. She knew only too well the awful doom that hung over her poor parents, and her heart bled for them. She pictured to herself lier loved father clad in a convict's garb and locked up for years in a terrible prison, for no crime save that of trying to pro- Tide bread for his starving wife and child. She pictured her mother's grief "Now, Hiram," said Sarah, "that is just your way. You allow your heart and feelings to accuse you of some great wrong, when you know you are not guilty of any. As a business man you have only done what you ought to do, and you have been a benefactor to those poor people. You have let them have money when they could not have gotten it anywhere else, and that was a great aceonwnodation, I'm sure. You are not responsible for the seasons and the failures of crops, and all that, and you have no right to let your generous heart accuse yon. You are too conscientious, Hiram, for a business man— that you are." "There is plenty over there," he', thought, "to keep off suffering, yet for the want of a few dollars I must go hungry while my wife dies of want. I cannot go back to my home empty-' handed and sit down there to wait for starvation. There is food in the land and I must have it. God forgive me, but if I can Bteal some food I'll do it." It is due Hiram Blatchford to state that he was totally ignorant of the "Cod bless you, Brother Blatchford," exclaimed the minister fervently. "Your crown will be a glorious one when you have finished your work, and the Master says: 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant' God ble=s you, Brother Blatchford, and may you always continue in the way you have T-ScWr. whereabouts of his daughter. He knew "Great heavens, man!" John cried, 'remember my wife, and show that you have a heart. Would you send me away to prison for no crime and 1H11 my poor wife by the act? Surely you cannot ba brutal enough to do that." it is true, that she was somewhere in Kansas, but he had not the remotest idea in what part of the state. It is also due him to say that he never received the letter written him by the old doctor at the beginning of Mary's sick*" ness. Whether it would have made any difference in the condition of the Greens if Blatchford had known of their whereabouts and condition, is a question that must go unanswered, but true Christian charity says give him the benefit of the doubt. "Iliram. you're a fool, The bomb had been discharged, and Its effect was wonderful. Hiram sat with his knife and fork in hand, and with his mouth and eyes open, transfixed. Sarah turned all sorts of colors and trembled all over. Mrs. Spickler felt herself diminishing so rapidly that she thought sure she would disappear altogether in a little while. At last, finding that it was impossible to control his wandering thoughts and fix them where he wished, and being unable to longer endure the thoughts his fancy bred, he threw down his papers and pen and fled from the office. He walked madly down the street, having no idea of his destination, liafing no care for his course, intent on but one thing, and that was to cscape the thoughts that haunted him. On and on he walked until he passed through the town and out into the country, nor did lie halt until he came to the river bank. Then he sat down, and removing his hat felt his burning, throbbing brow. "I shall not do it, Mr. Green," Mills replied coolly. "I am not the law, and neither can I answer for the law. Yon have placed yourself in the law's grasp and you will have to abide the consequents."Sister Blatchford followed Tier husband's lead with a subscription of twenty-five dollars, which Blatchford, of course, would pay, and the minister blessed her in turn. Then Blatchford insisted on old'Mrs. Spichler subscribing to the fund at his expense, and she received a. blessing likewise. Never in all his life had the thought of such a crime come through John. Green's mind. Never before had he contemplated, even lightly, the commission of such a deed. And never before would ho have dreamed that the time would come when he should seriously contemplate turning thief. But no one knows to what extent huDger will drive him until he has felt its pangs. John Green resolved tCo become a thief in the eyes of the world. He resolved to take by force and stealth that which was necessary to preserve life, and which he could secure by no other means. And with this determination firmly fixed in his mind he arose to put it in execution. But scarcely had he come to his feet when a strange man accosted him, saying: "Thank you, doctor," said John fervently as he clasped the old doctor's hand. "You have already placed uic under a world of obligations to you, and if I am never able to repay you, God will." "lliram, you're a fool," Aunt Mitchell repeated after giving a contemptuous glance around. "You're a fool and worse. You're a fool to think that you have got any religion. You're a fool to be led by the nose, and you're worse than a fool to turn your home into an asylum for these Pickles while your own child is an outcast in the world, without friends or money. I tell yon, Hiram Blatchford. you haven't got as much religion as a buzzard, and you haven't got as much heart as a stone." '"Cant I do anything to satisfy yon and avert this awful-fate?" asked John. "Not that I know of," said Mills. "\ou will have to make your plea to the court." These words had the effect on Hiram that the wily Sarah knew they would, and instantly he began to feel quite fond of himself and would have liked to hug himself to his own bosom. He chirked up at once, and thought that he had really rendered those poor unfortunate victims of his a great and lasting service by loaning them money at a rate of interest they could never pay. However Blatchford might have acted on the knowledge of his child's distress, Sarah Blatchford felt it to her interest to see that such knowledge did not reach him, and accordingly the good old doctor's letter never went Veyond her hands. "Oh, never mind that. Green," the old man said, "never mini1 about that. We're all human beings, and I am no more than human in doing what I do. There's nothing in it but what anybody ought to do." "TWyis truly a Christian fartiily,"the minister said with much unction, "and t&eir reward will be great in the next world. May tHfc Lord reward and bless them according to their deserts." Mills turned to ride away, but Harry Pearson, who all this time had kept quiet, motioned him aside, and for some time they talked together earnestly. Finally they came back to Green, and Mills said: "For the present, Mr. Green, I will let this affair rest, since my friend here so much desires I should. He agrees to stand responsible for you, and I hare promised to do nothing for a few days. I do not know what may be done eventually, but just now you may rest quietly. Good day." Pearson went away with Mills to avoid John's thanks, and John returned to the house greatly relieved by the turn matters had taken. "Pearson will see me out all right," he thought, "and there will be nothing more of it. He will compel Mills to accept the money and remain quiet." In this reckoning John was correct to a certain extent, but he little dreamed how dearly Pearson meant to charge for his good offices. "My God, my God," he murmured, "what have I done! My poor, lost child, how could 1 ever forget you so! How have I forgotten your mother and my promise to her. Oh, God, spare me and let me live to undo what I have done. Let me but see my child once moro and receive her forgiveness for all of my neglect and cruelty." She had long1 feared that a communication from the Greens might come to her husband, and not feeling sure that his heart would be proof against his daughter's pleas, if she should choose to make any, Mrs. Blatchford bethought herself of the precaution of keeping any such letter from Blalcliford's hands. So, in pursuance of this idea, she arranged to have all the private mail delivered 'at tho house, and when the doctor's letter came to hand with its Kansas postmark, she rightly judged that it related to the Greens, and forthwith she opened it and read its contents. This prayer also would be answered in time, for the day was coming, and even then was not far off, in which the Blatclifords would receive the reward of their acts, and bo blessed according to their deserts. It was coming, as 6urely as just retribution ever comes to those who make a way for it. And that reward would not be In accordance with Rev. Wheedler's prayer and wishes, but in accordance with God's unerring law of right. "Perhaps not," said John, "but it's what few do nevertheless. My heart is full, doctor, aad I cannot express my feelings. l!ut this I can say: You have done more for us than any other per-? son on earth, and my heart, ray thank's and my prayers are yours. You came to us a stranger, and you have been a source of light to us. You have stood by us like a brother, and you have saved the life of my- dearest one. God bless you, doctor. God bless you." "As for your daughter," continued Sarah, "when she wants your aid, or sympathy, even, she will let you know. Remember, she went away from you of her own accord, and it is wrong for you to grieve your honest soul on her account. Yotr have performed a glorious part toward the church to-day, Hiram, and you must not let the happiness following that deed be clouded by such foolish regrets." "Why—why, Mitchell," Hiram stammered, having recovered a little from his astonishment. "My friend, you have a very fair wagon and team there." "Yes," replied John, mechanically. "Would you sell them?" the stranger asked. "Don't 'why' me, Hiram," Aunt Mitchell went on. "I know what I'm talking about, and you know I do. The idea of you giving money to convert the heathen and paint the church and all that sort of thing, when your own child may be starving for food. It's a shame and a mockery, and I wonder that God don't damn you for it. The idea of you helping to convert the heathen! It's ridiculous. If tl.ere is a wild nigger in Africa that is any more heathenish toward his offspring than you are toward yours, then I say God pity him. Oh you may wince, Hiram, but you A long time he sat there gazing down into the deep flowing water, and more than once he was Inclined to throw himself into the current and find relief at once for his tortured soul. There, he thought, he could escape the awful thoughts that haunted him, and lie fancied that the cold water would be welcome to his burning brow. But finally the desire to see his daughter once more and atone to her for his cruel neglect got the better of him, and he arose and went toward his office.The meeting of the "Christian Aid Socicty" at last adjourned, smilingly satisfied with its work; and the members were about to depart from Blatchford's parlors for their various homes when it was discovered that Sister Gooding, who was then present, had not subscribed to the aid fund. Rev. Wheedler promptly called the attention of the members to this fact by saying: "Yes," replied John, eagerly grasping at the opportunity of getting some money, forgetting everything else in HATS TOLD YOU TRULY OF HIS DAX" GER." John could say no more, for his feeling overmastered him, and he broke down completely. The old doctor was seriously disturbed, and for awhile ho fidgeted about nervously, lie was a modest man, and whatever good deeds lie performed were performed solely for the good there was in them, and noi ior tne sane ot tne praise ttiey might bring him. lie had acted the part of a friend to John Green and his wife simply because lie felt it his duty. "Green," lie said, laying his hand on John's shoulder, "don't talk that way. Let's not make any fuss over trifling matters like that. I'm glad my efforts in this ease have not been unavailing, and I hope your wife will soon be recovered. Now, see here, you must make an effort to get a little money, and I'll make an effort and between us I think wo may be able to accomplish something. Continuo my remedies according to directions, and if anything happens before I return, let me know." And he did not for any gre at while. CHAPTER XX. AUNT MITCHELL SPEAKS. ana Aeatn, woven sue Knew wouia iotlow her father's arrest. She pictured all the misery and suffering that would come with the law's enforcement, ami she became sick at heart. The letter told a pitiable tale*of woe, for it portrayed in plain colors the sad condition of Mary Green, sick and poverty-stricken as she was, and ended with a plea to the obdurate father in behalf of his suffering daughter. Such a letter, coming from one who waa a stranger to Mary, ought to have brought a feeling of pity to the flintiest heart, but on the gentle heart if this devout member of Rot. Wheedler's congregation it made no impressiofiishatever. Some one may imagine that she suffered compunctions of conscience, but such was nQt the case. Such people as she have no conscience. It does seem that after reading Dr. Bascom's letter, Mrs. Blatchford ought at least to have experienced a sense of 6hame when she remembered that she, and all her relatives, were living in great plenty on that which of right belonged to tiie woman who was starving. But even that feeling did not come to her heart. Remorselessly she burned tho letter, watching it crisp in flames and turn to ashes, yet suffering no twinge of conscience. And an hour later she sat in her cushioned pew with smiling, placid features, apparently perfectly satisfied with herself and the life she waa living. When, at the end of Wheedler's sermon, she gave a good-sized bank Hiram soon became as placid and self-satisfied as ever, and the next morning he went down town to his office with not a trace of the late disturbance either showing in his features or rankling in his conscience. For several weeks everything went along smoothly with him, and every day he fell more and more in love with his charitable qualities and his Christian virtues. Hiram Blatchford was not a man to give way to any insignificant feeling, and he did not allow conscience to dater him for any great length of time. He at one time felt that he hadn't always done just right, but he managed to shift the blame of his wrong actions to some other person's shoulders, and succeeded, to his own satisfaction, in exonerating himself completely. "No, no," she said, "that must not, shall not be if I can prevent it. I will make any sacrifice to save my loved ones." "Here is an important omission in our good work. Sister Gooding's name is not on our list of givers ct nlL This must not be, and the sisUv must subscribe. Sister Gooding, you have un- As he walked unsteadily back he wondered why people stared at him so, little dreaming what a change a few hours of mental anguish had worked in his outward appearance. He did not know that his faoe had beccgne haggard, and his eyes bloodshot. He did not realize that the fires of hell that burned within him had scorched and seamed him outwardly. Two or Pearson cam house. Jc his heart ity to thank dered a fev three days passed and then —a again to John Green's hn welcomed him with all and embraced the opportunism for his services rendajs before. ao thing," Harry protested, it all, Green, to make a fuss yet I'm glad I was able to Mills is a bad man to deal have lately discovered, and I you borrowed that money of having got yon into his hands y duty to help you out. But let the matter drop. How Then on the other hand she thought of Paul, and up from the past floated remembrances of the happy hours she had spent with him, and of the bright pictures her fancy had painted of the future when she should be Paul's wife. She recalled all his tender words and glances, and now in this hour, when she was called upon to giro him up, she felt her soul going out to him as it had never gone out before, and she felt how utterly impossible it would be to lire happily without him, and in spirit she wailed: \ A n jF-^i T~~; ' ' i'll give fifty dollars to make my "It is "nothing over; ant help you. with, as 7 am sorry him. Bui I feel it m there, we'll is Mrs. Oreen to-day?" "She is doing splendidly," said John "Improving' rapidly, and if nothing interferes to give her a relapse she'll soon be well enough to get about. She has had a trying time of it." He was ncaring liis office when he met Bev. Wheedler, and that gentleman instantly noted the great change in his valued parishioner, and immediately sought to assist Brother Blatchford home. He approachcd to take the old man's arm, but Blatcliford waved him off, and almost fled from the spot. His action surprised Bev. Wheedler beyond anything, and he left that gentleman perfectly dumfounded. ltev. Wheedler looked after the fleeing figure for an instant, undecided what to do, but finally he concluded to follow. After a chase of a couple of blocks he caught up with Blatchford. "Oh, Paul, Paul, how can I give yon tip? How can I lose you? God, Thou art just and righteous, and surely Thou hast not forsaken me in this dark hour. Help me, Lord, to save my parents, but do not require me to Clo it at Mich a cost." But another bombshell was destined to fall in the Blatchford camp, and it fell with terrible effect. This bombshell camein the shape of an elderly maiden lady known as Miss Mitchell Blatchford, sister to Iliram, who for some yean had lived entirely isolated from her brother. She decided to pay Hiram a visit, and, accordingly, one day some weeks after the Christian aid society meeting she alighted at Hiram's door. And with that the old doctor went away, followed by a thousand blessings that flowed from John Green's heart. "WOVI.I) YOU SELL THEM?" THE 8TBAN« GEB ASKED. the thought of his wife. "Do you want to buy them?" The next day John went over to Magic City to see what he could do in the way of raising money. He first went to Mills' office, and after a long wait secured an audience with that gentleman. He laid his condition be* fore Mills in its trae light and begged for a small advance on his loan. "I want to buy a wagon and team to take my family back to Missouri, and If you will sell yours at a reasonable price I may take them. What do you want for them?" "Indeed she has," replied Harry sympathetically.Pearson returned and stopped before the girl. ' IIIIiAM, you RE A Foot!" know it's the truth I'm speaking. Do you suppose God is going to give a place in Heaven to a man who has no place In his home or his heart for his own child? Not much He won't, and you can't buy yourself into His favor, as you do into Wheedler's, with the gift of money. As I said, you are a fool and worse. Talk about your religion! Why, there ain't a particle of it in this house, and there ain't a one of you that knows what Christianity is. Not a single one of all of you knows any more about Christianity than a pig.'" "I don't know," replied John. "I had not thought of selling them. But I suppose they ought to be worth a hundred and fifty dollars." Harry soon found an opportunity of suggesting a walk to Louise, and she feeling somewhat in duty bound acceptcd his proposal. Together they walked out across the prairie, Pearson doing the most of the talking, and for some time confining himself to trivial matters. But at last, when they came to the bank of the creek, they sat down, and Pearson proceeded to speak of something of more importance. "Louise," he said, "I have brought you out here to-day to speak to you on a subject that lies near ray heart, and which I cannot bury, though I've tried often. Yon know what it is?" "Well," he said, "have you decided?" "No," she replied, without looking up, "I must have more time. Will you wait until to-morrow?" Hiram was not particularly glad to see his sister, for to tell the truth she hadjtn uncomfortable way of speaking her miflfi -frat Hiram did not like. He distinctly remembered several occasions when she had freely spent her opinion of him and his way of doing, and she had not always considered him in the light of an injured • innocent. - He kilew that she would soon discover the relation existing between himself and his daughter, and he felt morally certain that her sympathies would be with the latter, and that a "blowing up" for him would be the result. "Brother," he said, "y®u are ill. Allow me to see you home." "I would be glad to accommodate you, Green," Mills replied, "but I find it impossible to do so. I let you have at first entirely too much money on your security, and I am fearful that I shall not be able to recover on it. I can't advance another dollar." "1 suppose I must if you require it, but I see no use in it. You ought to be i-ble to dceide how you will act without mucb thought. It is a simple question. On one side is your father's honor and happiness, yonr mother's life, and riches for yourself, while on the other side there is nothing but your own fancy. You ought to be able to choose between the two easily enough." note to aid in converting the heatSsril no stranger would have suspected \vh« her heart really was, and no one would have thought but an hoar before she "Don't toucli im," Blatchford fairly shrieked as he glared viciously upon the minister. "Dou't come near me. You helped to do It Go away from me. My child is dying of want. I feel it. i know it. And yon helped to lead me away from her and blind me to her rights and claims. Don't speak to me again. I want my poor, wronged child, and I'm going to find her." The man shook his head. John saw the action and said: WORD GOOD." "How much will you give, then?" loubtedly been overlooked. You are one of our most liberal members, and your hand has ever been in good works. Come, how much shall I put down to your credit?" "IH give you seventy-five," the man replied. "It is a small sum, I know, but money is valuable in this country, and everything else, save food, is cheap. That's all 1 can afford to offer you." had ruthlessly despoiled a poor woman of a crust of bread from her father's table. "But I mast have it, Mills. I cannot let my wife die for the want of food. Do you understand?'' Blatchford might have given his daughter aid had ho knov.n her condition, bnt his ignorance of that was no excuse. He knew very well that there was general suffering in Kansas that year, and he knew that John Green was poor and ill-conditioned to withstand such a long siege of hard times. Reason and common sense would have taught him that his daughter was in need, yet he did not feel sufficient interest in her "Nothing, thank you," replied a pale, frail, earnest little lady of middle age. "I have concluded not to give anything to this fund." John was in no mood for caviling', and so without further parley he accepted the man's offer, and the money and team changed hands. "I understand perfectly, Mr. Green, but you should remember that this is not a plaee of charity but a place of business. I cannot undertake to bear other people's burdens, nor to furnish food to the hungry. I am not responsible for the suffering1 among the settlers, and I cannot afford to give away everything I possess to alleviate it. As I said, I am sorry for you and sympathize with you. Good day." "I must have time. It is a matter of more importance to me than you say. I must ask God to help and dircct me." Pearson gave a liplit laugh at this, and the girl shrank farther from him. Aunt Mitchell cast a defiant glance around as she ceased speaking, and as she came to Mrs. Blatchford last, and noted the shamed look of that lady, she gave a contemptuous sniff. Hiram trembled with rage and shame. He realized only too well the truth of his sister's words, but for all the world he wouldn't have acknowledged anything. With a great effort he controlled himself to a certain extent, and with tolerable firmness said: Then, before the astonished minister could collect his scattered senses, the old man was gone. He passed around the corner and entered his office, where, sinking into a seat, he buried his face in his hands and wept. "I'm afraid I do," said she. "Afraid?" be repeated. "Then yon have not changed your mind?" No longer forced to the necessity of stealing food, John started off homeward, considerably lighter of heart. Rev. Wheedlcr and all the others were completely nonplussed by this unexpected reply. Sister Gooding had always been a liberal giver of time and money to all church work, and this was the first occasion she had ever been known to refuse to subscribe to any kkid of church fund. Eev. Wheedlcr and the others were at first inclined to doubt their ears, and felt that they surely could not have heard aright, but finally they were convinccd of the reality of the sister's words, and Rev. Wheedler said, in great surprise: Sarah was not glad to see Miss Blatchford either; and she not only shared in Iliram's feelings, but she was inclined to look upon any of his people as interlopers when they presumed to visit the house that ought to be sacred to the Spicklers. She feared, moreover, that this strong-minded woman would jar on her nerves, for she had understood from her husband how Miss Mitchell was inclined to give vent, In no uncertain terms, to her honest opinions. Sarah felt that she was a good, saintly creature; yet she was not anxious that anyone should speak the truth about her in her presence. If she could have had her desire in the matter, she would have had Miss Mitchell's visit postponed indefinitely. "No, no, and I never can." "To give up dear Paul," she thought, "is enough to break my heart, but to become the wife of this man makes the sacrifice unbearable." "Poor Mary need not starve now," he thought, as he walked across the prairie. "This money will buy i D xl to tide lis over a few more months, and by that time I will be able to go away and secure employment." "Louise," said Pearson quickly, "yon can change your mind, and you must. I love you better than any other man ever did or ever will. I'll do anything to win you. I have busied myself to help your parents in every way that I found possible, and I did it all for your sake. I'd do anything for your sake, and I've sworn that you shall be mine." "Oh, my God, my God," he groaned "what have I done? How cruel, how heartless have I acted toward my own flesh and blood—my only child. How blind and brutal I have been, and how bitter is the awakening to the enormity of my sin. Oh, for one sight of my child, one word of forgiveness from her lips. I must find her. I must search the country from end to end for her." welfare to make any effort to discover She felt all her old loathing of him return, and if only herself had been in the question, she would a thousand times rather have gone to death's cmbrace tban his. her whereabouts. He never mentioned Vrtfamc, and if he ever thought of her S110 one knew it. Indeed, to outward observation it seemed apparent that no thought of her ever entered his mind, and that he was satisfied with his devotions to the Spickler family. Like his wife he was an active member of Wheedler's church. He attended I the Sunday services regularly and dozed through the tedious sermon. He gave more than any other to the minister's salary. He bought an organ for the church and hired an organist. In short he was always ready with his money to second any suggestion Rev. Wheedler saw fit to offer. As a natural consequence he became the most prominent member of the congregation—at least in Brother Wheedler's estimation. Brother Wheedler loved a cheerful giver, especially when the gifts were coming to himself. On tho very day that John Green mortgaged all his earthly possessions to Mills for a pitiful sum of money with which to buy bread, tho "Christian Aid Society" of Rev. Wheedler's church held a meeting in Brother Blatchford's parlors, the object of which was to financially further the work of converting the heathen in foreign lands. Rev. Wheedler was there, as were also all the leading members of the congregation. Sister Blatchford had, of course, taken care that preparations suited to the occasion were rpade, and a nice luncheon was dulr spread. Brother Blatchford was there to beg and entreat everyone to partako unsparingly of his generous bounty. John attempted to speak further, but Mills hurried him out of the office, saying:In the contemplation of the good the money would bring to his loved ones, John completely forgot the fact that he had committed a grave crime against the law in securing the money as he had. But at last It came back to him, and with a sudden and terrible shock he was made to feel the full consequences of his act. He stopped in his tracks and a cold shiver ran over him. "Great God!" he murmured, "I hjve sold mortgaged property, and opened a -way to the state prison for myself. What am I to do? What can I do?" "Mitchell, this is my house, and while you remain in it I wish you would show decent respect for my feelings and the feelings of my family." "There arc customers in waiting, Mr. Green, and 1 have no time to waste." "Well," said Pearson after a little silence, "if you must have until to-morrow to decide, suppose we go back." "Oh, don't talk so, please," pleaded Louise. "I know how good you have been to those I love, and it hurts me to deny any favor you ask at my hands. Don't compel me to say what I said once before, and what I hope never to have to say again. Please say no more about it." John next visited the bank but met with no success there. Then he tried all the places where there was a bare hope of getting money, but his efforts were all unavailing. There was but one chance left and he would try that. So, with faltering courage, he went to the office of Mr. Scraggs. "I shall not remain in this house another day, Hiram," Aunt Mitchell replied. "I feci now, and I have felt from the first, that I am not wanted here. I could hardly hope to find a welcome to this house when your own child Is not welcome, and I would not have remained here this long only 1 hoped to find an occasion for showing you what a feol you arc. Yoa have your Pickles about you and you are happy. You give money to this thing and that thing and you imagine .you are doing a Christian duty. You listen to hypocritical professions at home and flattery abroad, and you think you arc a good man. But mark my word, Hiram, the day will come when you will discover that you have woefully missed the Christian's walk in life. In the next world, if not in this, your neglect of your daughter will rise up against you and make you wish you had never been born. The time will come when the compliments and flatteries of Wlieedler and the Pickleses will not soothe your soul." At that instant the door opened and a clerk came in. ne approached the old man diffidently, for ho could not help seeing the great change that had come over him. He laid a telegram on the desk and without a word withdrew. iSfP . "I would rather go back alone," Louise replied. "You need not wait for me." "Sister Gooding, you surely do not mean that. You must not mean it. I —I am at a loss to understand you." "But you see, Louise, that would not do. Vr»ur would suspicion something, and if you arc to take this stop to save them, they must not know itD You would not want them to know if "I do mean it, Brother Wheedler," shq said, in her calm, quiet way, "and I wiU explain why: I am a firm believer in the church, and in its influence for good, and I have always attempted to advance its causc. I have made an effort to give something toward furthering every good work, and I would do the same to-dav in this effort vou are makinsr, did I not feel that there is another purpose to which I can devote my small means more conscientiously. In tho west there arc thousands of people suffering for bread, and I conceive it my duty to give to them what I have to spare. Charity, it is said, begins at home, and I think charity and Christian duty arc not far separated. I believe it our duty to look first after the suffering of our own land—to feed the hungry and clothe the naked—and take care of the heathen next. ThLt 13 my opinion, and I do not set it up as a guidance to others. I merely propose to follow it myself, and the little I have to give 6hall go toward alleviating the sufferings of the starving settlers on the western prairies."Of course Hiram and Sarah made an effort to welcome her, but the effort was very much constrained, and was lacking in warmth and feeling. Miss Mitchell either did not notice this, or ignored it for reasons of her own, and proceeded to make herself at home in her brother's house after her own peculiar fashion. "But I will say. mere about it, Louise. I said just now I had sworn to have you for my own, and I mean to do it. If I can't win you one way, perhaps I can another. Look here, you must consent to my wish to save your father. Do you understand?" "Scraggs offered to aid me once," John thought, "and perhaps he will do it now. I can try him at least." And he sat down and buried his face in his hands and tried to think; but he could think of nothing and see nothing but the prison door yawning before him. "No, I would not," she said. "But before we go, I must make one more appeal to you. I must beg 3-011 on my knees to save them and spare me," and as Louise spoke she kneeled before him, and with clasped hands and streaming eyes begged piteously for mercy at his hands. But when he reached Scraggs' offioe he found a young man in charge, and Scraggs was nowhere about; and to his inquiry for Scraggs the young man gave Green this answer: "To save my father," Louise repeated, looking up inquiringly while a great fear smote her heart. "What do you mean by that?" Aunt Mitchell, as she was usually called by those who knew her well, was of a cold, taciturn disposition. She was distant and unsocial toward those who were her best friends, and toward 6trangers, or those whom she disliked, she was fiigid to tho last degree. She had a knack of forming a pretty correct estimate of people on first sight, and her first-formed opinion of Mrs. Blatchford was anything but flattering to that lady's Christian character. Mr. Blatchford attempted to make up to her erratic sister-in-law, but on each occasion met with such a cold repulse that she soou gave up the effort. "Sorry you were not a few minutes earlier, Mr. Green, as Mr. Scraggs has just gone away. There goes his train now. He will not be back for near a CHAPTER XXU. THE SERPXNT SHOWS ITS HEAB AGAIN. "Do you know that he is in my power, practically? Do you know that only I stand between him and state prison?" A long time John remained there on the prairie trying to decide what step to take next. At first he was inclined to go back and find the man who had bought the property, and try to induce him to annul the sale; but he realized that such a step would be useless, since it was not probable that the man would consent to the proposition, even if he could be found, which was not likely. Then he could not consent to surrender the money. lie let her proceed to a finish, then with a shake of his head, replied: "It is useless, Louise. I am resolved and nothing can change my purpose. I will come back to-morrow, and I shall expect your answer then. If you decide to accept my offer, I want you to be ready to go away with me to-morrow night. We will leave a letter explaining everything to your parents, and after getting married at Magic City we will take a train for the west where we will spend a few months. I have a reason for going away which I cannot explain now, but which I will tell you later. Now you know all my plans, and if you decide to be my wife you know what you will have to do, and you must make your arrangements accordingly. Now if you are ready we will return to the house." For an instant John stared blankly at the young man, and his head reeled and he felt as if the earth was slipping from under his feet. His last chance for raising money was gone,and he saw nothing before his sick wife but death from want. The clerk noticed John's manner and was alarmed at it. week." "No, no," Louise gasped, turning ashy white while her heart stopped its beating. "I do not understand. Tell me, oh, tell me what you mean. What has he done?" "He has committed a penitentiary offense. He has sold mortgaged property, and nothing but I stands between him and the law's penalty. If I step aside then the law takes its course and your father must serve a term in state prison—a convict among convicts. You know what such a result would be to him and what it would be to your mother." "But, Mitchell, listen to me—" Hiram began, only to be promptly shut up by his sister who went on: "Mr. Green," he said, "you are not well. Take a seat and rest a moment. Can't I do something for you?" " don't come near me !" Blatchford opened the telegram at once and read: So he put that idea away, and decided to go on home. On the morrow he would go to Mills and tell him of the sale and pay bim a portion of the money. This seemed like a fair way of proceeding, and John had no doubt that it would be all right with Mills. Having come to this conclusion, he felt relieved, and continued his way with less misgivings. Aunt Mitchell preserved a quiet, cold dignity in lier deportment to her brother and his wife, and avoided their society as much as possible. When she was forced into their presence, however, she maintained the bearing1 of one who is making a strong effort to hold herself in check. 15y her constrained manner, she not only succeeded in making an icy atmosphere ir the house, but she caused the household to feel uncomfortable, and trave liiruni a spell ot nervous fits. Every one felt that sh« would not keep tip this rlprid deportment for many days, and tbey were assured that wh«;n siie did break loose there would be a terrible explosion. "There is no excuse for your conduct, Iliram, none at all. Your daughter may have done wrong in marrying against your Will, but she could not have done greatly wrong, since you acknowledge that John Green is a tfood, honest, sober, industrious man. But wrong or not, her crime was not so great that you were warranted in making her an outcast, while you fill your house with those who care for you only so far as your dollars and cents go. Do you think God will forgive you and take you to His bosom so long as you remain oblivious to your daughter? Never, never. If you ever expect to get to Heaven take some of the money you are subscribing here and there, and devote it to your child's need6. Better a thousand times let the church go unpainted than to let that child suffer one moment from want. Now I've had my say, Hiram, and I hope my words will set you to thinking and acting more like a Christian and less like a heathen, and that before you throw away another dollar in the useless effort to buy favor of God, you will act the part of a civilized father. 'Woe unto you, Pharisees, hypocrites.'" "No," replied John, as he dropped into the nearest scat. "I will be aU right in a moment." The smile of self-satisfaction set on every face gave way to a look of astonishment, and the members looked inquiringly at each other. But on no one did it have such effect as upon Blatchford. Instantly he remembered that many of those poor settlers were suffering from the effects of his "long time and easy term" loans and his swindling boom scheme at Paradise Park, and for a little while his conscience pricked him. A thought of his daughter, too, flashed through his mind, and for an instant he wondered if she might not be one of those who were starving—one whowas ground down by another, even as hundreds were ground down by him. He never dreamed that she could be one of his own victims. He began to feel a sedfcc of shame and dread, and even a slight twinge of regret, but the ever alert Sarah saw how his mind was and thought fit to recall it, which she did by saying: This proved a very bomb to tho meet- "If the world had more such good Christians as Brother and Sister Blatchford," remarked Rev. Wlieedler during the enjoyment of the lunehcon, "the church would be better off and its cause greatly advanced. Sach members are the shining lights of our faith, and their prayers and their gifts arc the means of great good in the saving1 of lost souls." mg. ••Come immediately. Do not delay under any circumstances. The most important matter of your life. Come quick. Scraggs." The old man sprang to his feet in an instant, and rv.shcl wildly out. There was more than disappointment and discouragement ailing John, lie was sick, weak and hungry. For days "Oh, God! oh. God!" the girl wailed, "can such a thing be? Can my poor dear father be in danger of such a fate?" "Mr. Pearson, can I not l-each your heart and prevail on yoti to be more merciful?" Louise asked. "It is too true, Louise," Pearson went on. "I have told you truly of his danger. But you can, and you must serve him. Become my wife and he shall never be disturbed. I will continue to protect him, and no man shall raise a hand against him. Come, say you will, Louise. You shall never regret it. I will raise you from this life of suffering and want and make you a lady. You shall have everything your heart can desire. Say yes." CHAPTEIl XXI. CKEEN NEEDS iloiiji MONEY AND GETS IT. The next morning John prepared to return to town to carry out his plan, and was about to set out from home when he saw two men approaching. He soon recognized them as Mills and Pearson, and with a feeling of fear and dread awaited their arrival. Louise thought it best to say nothing to her parents of I larry Pearson's proposal. She very naturally concluded that the matter was at an end, and knowing the anxiety that weighed on her father's mind already, she was loth to add anything to it. John had not forgotten Scraggs' words, but after watching Pearson closely on the occasion of his visits, saw nothing to warrant him in adopting Scraggs' idea. His deportment was always that of a perfect gentleman, and there was absolutely nothing in it to indicate any intentions, honorable or otherwise, relative to "No, I tell you it is useless to talk. 1 am not to be influenced from my purpose. You can marry mo and insure the welfare of those you love, or you can refuse me and let them take the consequences." "Indeed you are right, Brother Wheedler," acquiesced Sister Swoops. "Brother and Sister Blatchford live for the good of their fellow crcatures. Their thoughts, by day and by night, must be of the poor needy ones who aro in the darkness of sin. The question ever uppermost in thoir minds; to judge from their actions, is: 'What can I do for the good of the ignorant and benighted?' such as tiiey are tne salt 01 the earth—'the leaven that leavoneth the whole loaf.'" Thus for a week Aunt Mitchell kept the family on the needles of suspense. Mrs. Blatchford grew so nervous in the meantime that every unusual noise caused her heart to cease beating. Blatchford worked himself up to such a point of uneasiness that he stood in momentary dread of some great misfortune. As for old Mrs. Spickler, Aunt Mitchell knocked her clear out of the ring at first sight. The icy bow and the piercing look she gave that old  on the occasion of their introduction was sufficient to terrorize her for all time to come. Mrs. Spickler was the possessor of considerable spirit, and many people had quailed before her gaze, but she was not equal to Aunt Mitchell's cutting glance. She tried to avoid Aunt Mitchell's eyes after that first meeting, and if by chance she did catch a glance from them she wilted and shrank until she felt that she was but an atom of humanity—a mere speck of flesh and blood. "Mr. Green," said Mills, after the usual salutations, "I came out to see you on a little matter of business. I am informed on reliable authority that you sold your wagon and horses yesterday. Is such the case?" Without another word Louise arose, and in silence they walked back. Pearson stopped only long enough to admon ish Louise that she must positively decide by the morrow, then mounted his horse and rode away to Magic City, lie knew what her decision would be, anc felt secure of his prey—as secure of it as though he had it already within his grasp. He knew that Louise would noi sacrifice her parents. "Ob, no, no, a thousand times no," the girl cried. "You do not know what you ask of me. You do not know how my soul revolts at the thought. I thank you over and over for all you have done for us, and I would be willing to do almost anything for you in return, but you ask too much. I cannot love yon and I cannot marry you." "It is," said John, "and I was just jtarting to your office to inform you of the fact, and make it all right with J'OU." "True, Sister Swoops, true indeed," said Rev. Wheedler, "and I pray that they may live to see the fruits of their works in all their fullness." "The poor we have always with us, Sister Gooding, and I'm sure we are all ever willing to aid the needy. But what arc the wants of the body as compared with the welfare of the immortal soul? Besides, there are public charities for the poor of our own land, and the government will see that nobody starves. We must not let trifles like this influence us from our duty as Christians. We are engaged in a good work and we must not turn aside from it." Two weeks passed quietly away after Harry's proposal, and during the time he made several visits to Green's, always bringing with him some delicacies for the sick woman. He often expressed a wish to render John more substantial aid, and John had always accepted the wish for the deed. Louise, Mills smiled rather incredulouslj- at (his statement, and John winced under the expression of the money-lender's minister eyes. [to be contixckd J This prayer of Brother Wheedler's was destined to be realized, for it was written down that Brother and Sister Blatchford should both live to see the fruit of their works in all its terrible fullness; and not only that, but they should eat thereof and come to know the bitterness of it. "GREEN, DON'T TALK TIIAT WAT." "Not to save your father's name and honor and your mother's life?" Pearson asked. "Remember how much you have at stake, Louise." Having thus brought her lecture to a finish and feeling her soul relieved of a mighty burden, Aunt Mitchell arose from her seat and, giving a withering look of scorn and pity to those at the table, swept from the room, and an hour later left house. "Such may possibly have been your Intentions, Mr. Green," Mills replied doubtingly. "I do not pretend to know what is in /our mind. But the fact that irou disposal of the property right at my office without saying a word to me about it is rather damaging, to say the least. It seems to me that you could as sasily have come to me then, as to have come home and gone back this morning. The affair looks a little suspicious, lure." Sir. SmtUIa' Helpmate. he had overtaxed his strength In caring for his sick wife. He had gone on short diet, had lost sleep night after night. He was pale, haggard and aged. He was sick in body as well as soul. Quest (at the party)—Did you notice that Mr. Smalls' collar and cuffs were shockingly untidy, his necktie all out of shape and the back of his coat all covered with lint and ravelings? "Can't they be saved without that?" "Without your giving yourself to me? No. That is the only terms upon which your father can be kept from the law's grasp." Dr. liascom made regular daily visits to his patient, but as yet the improve ment in her condition was scarcely perceptible. The fever was losing its power, it is true, but it had had a long run, and her blood was burned up by it and she was weak and feeble. "Was your business with Mr. Scraggs very particular?" the clerk asked, when John recovered himself a little. Ditto—Yes. By the way, who was the lady that corrected him so sharply when he made that little mistake in his Greek quotation? During the little play of words just described Sister Blatchford, from her position at the head of the table, smiled sweetly upon those about her, and said, as plain as actions could speak: "So be it, Sister Blatchford," said Rev. Wheedler. "You speak with the spirit and the understanding. We are fishers for souls, and not feeders of the body. We have a higher and a mightier mission than that of catering to the appetite of the physical man. Our duty calls us aii"*0 Mich" a farther conversation ox this kind in which each tried to convince himself or herself that he or she was walking in the "narrow wav-'' His sister's words had a telling effect on Blatchford. They cut him deeply, and he could not rid himself of the uncomfortable feeling they awakened. He realized the truth of her words, and he grew small in his own estimation. He understood fully the futility of his liberal financial gifts to the church and the heathen, and he was less inclined to praise and pat himself than he had been for a long time. Sister Blatchford tried her old tactics to rally him, but thev lacked their old-time efficacy, "Yes," said John, "it is a matter of great importance to me." And he stated the object of his visit and told something of the necessity that forced him to seek the loan. "Surely, surely, Mr. Pearson, yon will not require such a sacrifice on my part. You know why father did that, and you or any other man would have done the same. You know all thia. and yon would not be so heartless as to forsake him now." "That was his wife."—Chicago Tri bone. "You don't mean to imply," cried Green with a gleam of anger, "that I purposed acting dishonorably?" "Indeed Brother Wheedler is right, and I am the light of the church—a guiding angel to those less blessed with goodness."  One morning the Blatchford household were assembled at breakfast, when Aunt Mitchell came in a little late. A glance at her face as she coldly nodded her salutation was enough to reveal the fact that her feelings were struggling vehemently to break loose. She sat down to the table with a snap. "She is in a fair way to recover," the doctor announced; "but she is so near the verge of the grave that it would require but little to place her in it. She needs strength, and we must endeavor to build up her constitution. Good food is the thing she stands most in need of now—good, wholesome diet and plenty Dies* the Child! "I wish you had come before Mr. Scraggs left,1' the clerk replied, "for I am sure he would have given you the assistance you want. But it is too late now. He has no money here that I can handle or I would take the liberty of making the advance. If you can get The Family Doctor—As for yonr littlo boy, I find that he is suffering from acute inflammation. "No, oh no, I don't mean to imply anything. I am just stating the facts of the matter. 1 have a perfect right to my opinion, though, I presume." Louise spoke in pleading tones, and her sad words and her yet sadder face ought to have touched a heart of 6tone, but they had no effect on Pearson other than to confirm him in his purpose. Brother Blatchford said nothing and made very little outward show of his feelings, but it was evident that he was Fond Mother—Of course it must be that kind, doctor. Everything about him is just as cute as it can be.—Pitts- Pittsburg Bulletin. "I suppose you have, but you have no to Qiaka any assertions. I ac- of it.» '•Whv should I put myself to any .1! » 1