Newspaper Page Text
rOL. XYIII.
ATLANTA. GA.. TUESDAY J MORNING MAY 24 1887
PRICE FIVE CENTS
Our Story C6rnsk
SCARLET OAKS.
A Txle of a Virginia Country Vaml'y.
F. Xotby, In the Springfield BeputiUcau.
A Hammond had owned Scarlet Oaks for at
least three generations. .The whole.'estate
look its name from tho tall gronp of stately
veks on the hill, under tho shelter of.whose
gteat boughs the old homdstead stood. 1 Old
lieTeily Hammond, as his neigbbors called
him now, could not remember any time when
he had not loved these trees. Finer'views
distant mountain tangos, or ahlnlng
llTer stretches might bo seen
irons other sltes-other homes were
•statelier—other places nearer the great thor
-oughftns of business and the contors of men
tsl activity, but Beverly Hammond, byjiaturo
fond of old habits and traditions, was entirely
contented with his uneventful and uuenergetic
life. Ha remembered when ho wes.ajboy,
pitying under these same trees, and. hearing
the Hatch wind hntn in their tops, andl'he
might have said, in the words of tholold
(Inch:
This is the voico which 1 teem to hear murmur,
tug in my earn, like the sound of the time la the
ears of the mystic—that voico, I say, is humming
in my earn, and prevents ms horn hearing any
-other.
These oaks were leaved in freshest green
-when be brought hie young brldo beneath
their shade on their first home-coming—ah,
did he not remember that day? aod another
time he recalled, nearly two years afterward,
when they were all shining with a lustrous
scarlet, as the tun shone through thorn, look
lug like a libation of rich red wine poured
freely to the old gods of tho earth and air—
sind hie first-born, Bichtrd—had lifted his
baby head, and looked at that blaze of color,
and laughed, and put oat his baby hands in
glee. When the storms of winter came, burst*
4rg In fitry over the land with wild blasts of
wind and driving snow and tloet, and ho
and his family and ftlondt sat
beside the blazing log fire in the wide chimney,
and made good cheer in the old familiar,
hemely fashion—ho would not havo tho cur-
-tains drawn, bnt liked to see tho gigantic
forms of tho old oaks, swinging their strong
-boughs at if they defied tho storm. Ho watched
-them many a wiptcr night, standing still and
whiteinthe snowIlko faithful guards
-sleeping boose—of tho wifo>nd child therein—
And the stars shone through the boughs, as if
they bad been fruits thereon. ■■
Bat Blchard and his brothers and sisters
grew up as a brood of sturdy nestlings, ready
for flight, and eager for new life, and abovo all
motion and change. ‘ Let thorn try it," said
the old min to hlmstlf, as he Meter*1) to their
talk,-eager, impetuously rengainc,—-'only lot
■them try their wings, and they will bo content
alter man had gone down before his fierce at*
tack, but now it waa flight or captivity, and he
gave the reinato his little mare with a hallo
WUVIU tHJ tutu IT*UU fcUUJ TTflA UO UUUlfCUU
-to como hick to tho old neat in tho Oaks—and
-to own that it la the best after all.”
Things were net going well with the Ham
mond estate. How or d then large crops wore
made, and money came in, bnt always, whether
1 good or bad, large sums want
tho lessons were guw w. uisu, utigo sum. wane
■ont to defray the expense* of tho lavish home-
keeping with doors wide open to all comers.
Hot only gueata came in, but bills—salts wore
.gained a temporary respite. Beverly
mond could not reeolve to soil his slaves, or to
tho old cue and comfort, and he adopted
the fatal expedient of borrowing, until another
difficulty arose—that of evon procuring moniy
t r pay the Interest on them loans.
In the mean while there srere other tronbles.
Tint, the baby Margery—then Amy, a daugh
ter of sixteen summon—grew ill and
They were burled In the old family busying
ftthor cm Id not
ground—not ao far off that tho
-catch a glimpse of tho white marbio shaft, or a
leaves of tho scarlet oaks in antnmn. There
remained fonr children—Blchard, the first
bem—now a lad of nineteen at school and
bird shooting In tho fall—overflowing with
spirits and fond of settera and pointers,' horses
’ 1 lovable egotism
self confidence; then camp another
Beverly, brave end tender hearted, and loyal
4o the old home; Ellzt, a ahy, dark-eyed girl,
jronngsr than Amy; Bobert,acbild of five. In
spite of tb< empty cradle, and tho hush where
An>|’a voice used_ to sound, the old house rang
3 hot and fiery brain, and
impetuously into the cnoao of secession. His
feelings grew more bitter, his enthusiasm
(stronger, when the newt waa brought that
Itlchaid had joined a regiment, and a picture
-byhlm-f
ins sent by him—taken at the first towa at
which they had halted—in hit new uniform—
the smiling debonnair young ftce looking ao
tufit for danger and hardship, that tho mother
-could hardly to* it fur tears. The days fol
lowed when every lilt of killod and wounded
was Matched In an agony of tenor—when
mmorsof an impending engagement brought
such analous night-watches—such sad days of
waiting, at only those left behind—who drink
She titter cop—ever know. And Hubert, tho
congest, died in the safe sholtcr of home, and
youngest, died in the safe sholtcr of home,
in hi* mother’s arms, and Blchard escaped
hart.
Blchard himself took war as he did every
thing site—lightly. He was a favorite with
bia superior officers, who liked to eee hit merry
ftce ted beer hit careless laugh between the
crack of the rifles and the whiz) of the balls,
and the men wen always ready to save him a
hardship and do him a kindness. He really
had little tent* of fear, and a marvellous
knack for hairbreadth escapes—boasting that
be was equally good for a charge or a run.
“ * ‘ 1 leave, although
One such adventure was to
ha little knew at thatima, a lasting influenct
over hit life. A party of advanced scoots hid
rat on the country road, Richard
been thrown ont on
among them. There was little open cosntry,
the woe da threw black masses of shadows
across the faint moonlight, and only hers and
then lay opan and level fields. It was ao atill
that ycu could hear the impatient movement
of a horse pulling for some green bough in
ntch, or tha slightest word from his rider.
Suddenly, crack, crack/ want the rifles, the
foremost iconta fall beck, and tha until body
of man steed, tide by side, ready to meet their
assailants as they came. In the darkness they
ftnclrd that they wan equally matched, hat
those who came were hut the advance guard of
a large body. They fought band to band, ao
near that their hones’ heads almost touched in
tho dark, and as one went down, 40 teemed to
peas Into hit plan. The aouthern soldiers gave
way, lint moving slowly backward, than urging
their horses into a trot-then a gallop-bat
shooting as they went. They separated, for
each fox himself eenld brat gain tha shelter of
the weeds on the other side of the field, and to
escape from tht foes that wera pressing them
■shard.
Richard was on a little gay hone, fall of
life gnd spirit Bichtrd had frughg wall ao
lerg aa then was a chance of victory, and man
stretch every limb. Five or tlx wore after
him, ore by one he left them behind. Two'
remained, one of whom, on a poworfnl hay,
was gaining at every strido.
On ono tide lay the wide, open field, on the
others worm fence, rough with projecting
ends of rails—just beyond it waa e deop ditch
but once ever, then wera the woods, reaching
oo and on np the mountain sides—a safe cov
er, ss Richard woll knew, for enysouthorn
soldier familiar with their thadea.
At a glance he determined to risk it—his
mare would probably miss tho diteh, but even
if dismounted he could gain the woods; aad he
sharply wheeled his little mare straight for the
oath, then drew rein and turned in another
direction after cosier game. The man on the
hay still followed. Exoept bit companion, fait
dir:
appearing from their view, they wero now
soulyvisir “
I bio figures in tho field. The little
gray mare rote to tho leap like a bird, cleared
tho fence, cleared the ditch, and stood, quiver-
log in every limb, on the otherstdo. The bay
did not refuse the fence, hnthlsheel atm k the
top rail and he ftll, and his rldor was thrown
from him, his carbine hurled at loaatfifty yards
off.
Ton are my prisoner,” said Bichard with
level, d pistol, as the man raised his head.
The man nttored an orth—“That's hart
lack.” he added, with a laogh, "when wo have
routed the rest.”
Richard langhcd good-naturedly. “Como,
get up behind me—your bay Is done for. If we
stay here, there may be a no v deal.”
On the way to camp he learned hla prisoner's
name, I. S. Reid, from the fsr west; and waa
amused by his keen remarks, and reckloas sto
ries of life on a ranch and In small mining
towns. ITo treated him with every kindness,
end when they parted, they exchtngol ad-
other up
dresses, and promised to look each __
after the war. It was quito characteristic of
Bichard that he need up the envelope that
evening to light his cigar, and in a month had
hut year of the war waa gloomy at Sea r-
ict Oaks—cot only public bnt private trouble
weighed heavily on ita owner. Beverly, the
son who had never given father or mother an
fud, and frem the day tho news came
fatblr waa an old man, walking heavily, and
broken with Icrrow. He knew that flnancltl
troubles lay in wait alter the days of mourn-
the old
horns?
It wee on a 10ft aprlng twilight—when the
air was fresh with dew, and amelia of budding
things—that Itichtrd came back. Hit clothoa
wero ragged, and ho was thin and broken
down with marching and want of food, bnt his
mother shed teaxs of joy over him. She would
allow any one to speak of loss or trouble
first week, and wont about her household
not
Inconvenience or privation sinoo
Richard seemed touched 1
this love, and also by tho appealing confidenoo
of his father, wh" told bier in long
folks of
which hit mother grew impatient-all tho
tronbles, and debts and pressing tfiaims.
1 1 havo not been wise, I know,” ho said
humbly, when Blchard criticised hit manage
ment rather teverly, with tho unhesitating
■elf that I wanted to pat off tho evil day,
wtt for yonr mother,”—he paused for a mo
lt ent, then went on, “but now Scarlet Oaks is
thim
and I will listen to whatever
brat— to nliovo the oatato, ’
wls'fully as he stopped.
”lt is a fioo old pltce—though ont of tho way
- too fir from the railroad,” observed Richard,
careless!}
'it has been a family place for generations.”
said Beverly Hammond, a
shadow falling on
his fan, bnt trying to argue calmly. “ Tuoro
Could bo nowhere else that yonr nemo is rec
ognized at its full worth aa it Is here. Thero
lisa been a Hammoad of Scarlet Oaks for almost
£00 years.”
Bichaid smiled a little.
“i’erhaps we yonnger men do not value tra
dition so much at yonr contemporaries did. Of
cturfo tome arraugoment could bo made about
tha debts— time gained for their payment—or
the lower ikrm sold off—later, when northern
capitalists begin to think of Investing In Vir-
' is land, or wo might dispose of a part of the
Bia iauu. ur nu luiguit u
*riot Oakf place itso'.f.’ 1
The father moved uneasily, bnt he said
nothing.
“If 1 were to remain here,” continued Rich
ard, “and take charge of the farm, I should
need money for current-expenses. I suppose
it weald be impossible for yoa to furnish this?”
* “Yes, ye»,” answered the father eagerly, “I
have talked with my old friend, Judge Dab
ney—”
“The man who owns the mortgage?—to
whom the other debts have been transferred?”
ijucstiont-d Richard in surprise.
“Yes—he is almost the only creditor now,
but ho is an old friend—ho is as much inter*
ested In yonr staying with ms, and saving the
old place, aa I am. He talked ai kindly ai
start the first year, lie u vorj fond of you,
Richard.”
Well”—said Richard rising np.
scunds more practicable. There realty Is nosh*
.... f „ au( j woafc
leg better for me to do jast now,”
out of the door humming “Dixie ”
His father sighed, bat In his heart ho was
md of his handsome, light-hearted son, and
orgave him everything.
‘IIo is young now—ho will feel differently
after a while,” he thought to himself; and he
bis gray mare* like wuinh. ah**
scathed oat of all the perils of war.
Richard, after many solicitations, consented
to call cn the Judge, who received him
most cordially, heartily approving of his reso
lution. “A few more young mtn like yoa
woold be the very life blood of oar country,
sir!” he said, with an old-fhabioned leaning to
•11. UO HiU. WUU BU UIU'UWUIUUCU IVftUUJglU
oratorical phrases—tho jodgo had often been
called on to make speeches oo' the fourth of
July, hubecnes, laying of corner-stones and
tho like occasion*—“tho life blood of our coun
try:”
But at ho took ont his chock book ho added
lilt’s advice in homely langaag* which Rich
ard did not lika no woll as tho approval. That
had almost made him feel os if it might be
rather a fins thing to restore “Scarlet Oaks” to
Us former glory.
—was playing In the room, and looked op now
aid then with bright, carioat eye.a.they
talked.
As tbs judge wot writing tho check, norther
iiitorentered with littleceiemoay. Ho was
rongb, 111 looking mu, whom Iticherd re
membered as a former overseer for * gentle
man in the neighborhood, Finchley, and he
was surprised 10 too tho civility with which
the judgo (noted him. At Finchley stared at
him with econo block ayes, Richard wished
that tho judge hod not been so evidently lent
il g him money.
"I don't approve of helping young men too
mneb. Rich.nl,” mid the judge. “This is only
for yonr father'srake-tiricUy fortno pnrpno
of carrying on tha farm and getting Scarlet
Oaks out of debt. I believe it wonld break
your father's heart to givo up tho old plffiU.
May Ood prosper yon in keeping it!”
Finchley smiled rather unpleasantly.
Ltttie John Dabney ran down to the gate
with Blchard Hammond. “Do yon lovo yonr
father?” ho aaked, with a child’s frank curi
osity.
“ Yes, of course,” answered Richard shortly.
Ho na not used to being put in the second
place, and have hit talent*, his energy his
ting a pair of sweet,
life on n farm go for nothing!
... l,Ufft_ .
faoo, and patting his
head caressingly. “Ho
he comet.” Bnt this
I suggestion was disregarded.
Eliza ran ont to meet Bichard aa ha gal-
a thick letter fury
awe atrnck tone, '
north!’”
trout porch. “Brotbor, hero a
you, and only think,” in an
“it's postmarked from the
Here, at least, ha was a hero, and
the consciousness tolacod hits wounded vanity.
Eliza, he knew, wonld not venture to question
him until he signified his willingness to speak.
Tho ahy, reserved child looked np to him with
absolute veneration.
He came In to dinner in excellent spirits,
ready to describe in his most entertaining man-
1 or his visit to Judge Dsbney, and hla uncouth
visitor. If ho left out a few unessential re
marks which the jadge had mado when hand
leg him the money—well—Blchard on prlnd-
His father recognized tho Judge's strango
guest at once. ' Why; that wit rather a queer
coincidence! Finchley Is the judge's creditor.
tho Judge's strange
I reckon ho Is as deeply in dobt to Finchley, u
I am to him. Woll, well—it is hard to tell in
whose hands property really 1 os now.” His
trow clouded, and ho sighed deeply.
“But tho greatest surprise after all is this,”
and Richard * “ *
cus looking!_
the by, I never told you about that"—and be
tuo uj\ a uuver bum juu nuuuis tunk —auu mo
dashed into a graphic sketch of tho fight and
* ’ Ilf
the chair, to which hit tense hearers listened
with braatbless interest to tho vorw close. |Tho
fellow fancoit himself rather indebted to mo
for kinnness,” he” remarked in a careless tono,
"and writes to offer mo a sharo in his cattle
business-! ill's a big thing, yon can see, and he
is going out to his ranch next week, and wsant
me to Join him. I wonld noed nothing but my
traveling e xpcnses,”ho oontlnno] thoughtfully.
“Of ceurao ho thought I had enough for all that
sort of thing—I don’t believe in crying pov
erty in everybody's cars—and he wouldn't
belly of offering money."
take the liberty of offering money.”
The mother Iqgked anxiously from fathar to
"Yon eeo, father,” went on Blchard permit
ivcly, “a good thing might bo made out of this
cattle basinets in a year or two—It Is not like
this slow farm-work with its penny profits. II
should come back with money enough to pay
loir all yonr Indebtedness and set Scarlet Oaks
np for you lnold style—wonldn’tthat berathor
bitter than l.nrying myself allvo hero?”
“But, Richard." interposed tho mother tim
iy,“how could yen go now; You said a
moment ago you dbl not have tho moans?”
rebeck of
-.I-v. uUrtgo Dabney's wonld bo
sufficient,” ho answered lightly, tapping it as
"This:
he spoke with his forefinger csreleuly.
"I thought that—tho judgo told yonr f.thor
it was to be and only for the flum—”
“01,” said Richard in a proud tone, rising
from the table, “if my ftther is unwilling to
hud mo tho money, that end* it. Such an op
portunity is not to be found twice, and it waa
not only for my penonil benefit, aa yon aosm
to inspect, that I wished to avail myaelf of
Ilcld’a offer.” With an offended air ho left tho
room.
"Beverly, what does my boy moan by speak
ing to to hla mother ;" the asked, with tears in
her eyes.
Tho old man bang hit bead. “My dear,
women should not interfere In basinet* mat-
tsis; thoy do not understand them. Wo must
not Jet otraonly boy go without any help, anil
feeling tsTf wo wero estranged from him In
Interests,” he added, In a changed tono of
voico.
“No, no,” answered hit wife, coming q-ilckly
to hltilde, “bnt most ho go now? Ho bit Just
returned to ns, and what will yon do?”
“I will explain about the chook to Jadge
Dahncy myself. This really is a wonderful
yo _
Hone of Boveriy Hammond’s financial tones
had been so bitter to him aa that in which his
wife's estate htd been swallowed up, and hit
fatal step of borrowing money had boen taken
with the vain hopa of keeping
_ her from fool
ing ita lost.
Bichard went, and even before he loft, his
hriher talked with at much enthusiasm as
blmscifof the bonndloas resources of the west,
and pitied tho lack of enterprise and spirit
1 list kept others at home. The first chock to
bey’s. Hla old friend mot him
wonted cordiality, hut he had plainly shown
Ms distrust of Richard’s tnocost, and his dis
approval of Us conduct in regard to the loan.
The old us rode homeward, hit thonlden
negligently in one hand, for his horse weidull,
and not inclined to go without an ooeaelonal
touch. Aa ho rode near tho old blacksmith's
■hop by the roadside, ha heard tho excited
voices of a group of mon. FincUey teamed to
he tho chief speaker.
Yo don' say ho jo*' tuk tho mosey, on’ lit
out?” ejaculated ono - of the listeners—epos
moot lied.
It's jot’ oz I am a-tollln’ yo’,” and Bovtrly
Hammond reined up his horse, wUch stopped
Hammond reined up bis horse, which (topped
very willingly on tho outskirts of the gronp,
and fell to grarlog. Finchley wont on, with
out noticing that ho had another listener: “Tho
Jcdgo tez, this here money Is for you ftthor,
he tes, ‘not Air yo’,’ an' tho nex’ wook the
fes' thing I beard, ha waa gone, on’ olo Ham
mond amt to much u teched that money,
all a made-np tala about his farmin’,”
’Twaa
and ha aided with a crane laugh.
The poplar twitch root in tho air and cam*
down with fore* on Finchley's hood and
shoulders, end the astonished mtn Brand him
self tbs object of* furious castigation.
‘There, taka that, yon lying car!”
•witch broke, and Boveriy Hammond throw
1 as the
who fennd Finchley ts a rage rather ditflcol
manage, and rods slowly away.
But nothing cams of this. Mr. Hammond
bia wife never saw him cross tho throsl,
without ar slcty, bnt Finchley mane no fartl
demonstration,and Mr. Hammond concluded
that he wu not such a bad follow after all, bat
nrderstood haw a ftther fait on hearing hiaton
helled. He bimaalf could not ehariah a private
grudge for a day.
The years that followed won only marked
by more and more smell economies, and tha
ntnowing network of debts drawing cl osar
amend them. Very ftw gueeta cam* now to
such a qnlet homo, they no longer needed so
mat y -rrTints or homo. When Bichaid cam*
haik, then tha old lift could begin sgtio. Hire
did not go to school. “It la better for a girl to bo
with her mother,” laid Beverly Hammond. In
troth, there was no monoy, and her help was
needed in honehold work. He himself had lost
and moro fccblo only brightening
a letter came from Riohard,
lllng of tome echemo for a colossal fortune.
Mexico with wit
“Ho i* so busy," said tho mother, “we cannot
expect him to write ao rognlarlyat wo quiet,
stay-at-home people ran manage to do”—or
“Yon remember, Eliza, he mentioned having t<
make a long Journey on some Important both
noil connected with tho new railroad. Us will
bo 1 tiro to writo on his retain”—and sometimes,
“Porhapa his next letter may havo good nows-
we havo waited for one ao long.” “Good news"
hid bnt ono meaning for hor—the possibility
of Richard’s sure return.
“When Dick Hammond gitl back,” said
Finchley^ with a sneor to his cronies, “then the
Id mo a hint before,
mako it all right next
ought to have droj
Never mind, Lizzie, 1
lime.”
Eliza loft the room with tightly compressed
lips.
“The girl needs going ont in tho world,” ob
served Blchard, sagely. “Annie wonld put a
little life In hor In no time.”
Nothing was said of the salo until at tha
enpper tnblo when Blchard suddenly burst in-
WOMEN AT THE POLLS.
JedlS 1
bona
_ an’no'll strop manners, an’tho muon'
nade of green choose.”
“Mother,” seld Eliza one day—oho was a tall
slender girl of 21,with a ahy, roserrod meaner
—“When things are qnlet a long, long time,
y<
1 ha mother started. “Why child, whst
queer question!” Sho thought of the many
, Sho thongl _ „
boors they had sowed together silently—tho
oldsr.eroman communing with memories, anxie
ties Hid hopes—flint and kbsdowy—and for.
getting tho yonnger life—and tho fait a keen
pong of self-reproach. The child noodod tomo
chtnge and amusement; that waa only natural.
“I mean, mother, I am afraid of Ur. Finchley.
I know he hates ftther, and ho has kopt quiet
so long.
Tho mother broke hor thread nervously.
Oaks’’—there wts to bo a sal* at I*»t-“to
spite yonr ftthei?” She asked with a trembling
voico.
Slim’s face ga-
He las mado no more toward it. Oh the
contrary a lawyer from Now York is negotiat
ing for it- hnt Blchard will no doubt bs hero
before then.”
"He has not said anything of hit oomlng,
mother.”
‘No; bnt that it jnit Ilko tho boy,”—to hit
boy still, “f
mother's heart ho was a boy still, "ho only
ssnts to tako ns by surprise. That wonld bo
Just like him.”
“Mother," said Eliza, after a long pants, with
her ryes cast down, “don’t yon think It might
bo possible that thla lawyer ia acting for Mr.
Finch’ey?”
Hammond’s face grow a ahsdo prior.
•That's a silly ldoa, ElIxaT yon letd too mtn;
.- — id th’a quiet lift pats morbli
head. ‘ “Eliza,” 'putting ont
^^and suddenly, “Who la that oomlng up
the walk?”
It urn a young man, tanned by tho ana, and
with K All b< rrd. of athletic fignro and quick
mcvcmciitr, about Richard's tizo and hofght.
Ho was apparently of Richard's ago when ho
went trsy.bat the mother did not think of
cliau a sho watched him cagorly as he
came nearer, nis eyes wore gray, his hair of a
bronzo hue; Richard's wero both of a dark
brown: It wos a stranger, and Mrs. Hammond,
elrk with long deferred hopo, fell back pale
and trembling.
Tho yonng man sprang np tha step* with a
bound, sent Eliza for wine, tho door* and win
dows were open and had taken In tho alt ia-
Ton at a glance, and Mrs. Hammond, revived
by bis gentle attention, oat np; ho introduced
himself as an old Alond, John Dsbney. The
had died several jean boforo, and hit
whole citato had only infflcod to pay his debts.
All only ion hi
supported bit
mtalcsl education.
. gono to work for hlmsolf,
lotted bit mother, and given hlmsolf a
“Dr. Dabney?” asked F.liz* with a blnsh, re-
with whom sho and tho
had gono fishing In tho
joungor
cinks and ponds.
“Yes,but I did not expect, ho added, with a
smile, "lo bear my title hero.”
Mm Hammond looked still so weak, that hs
Insisted on her lying down. 8ha would not
consent to lot Ellzs stay with her. “No, no,"
- uf wou i<i rather ho qnito
sho said Impatloutly, “I
alone, tnd rest.”
Ellu went back sorrowfully to thoir gnash
chard; she's not
“£ho mistook you fur Rlkm.iw, ...» ■ uw, kuu
him for so long,” sho said, hor dark oyoo filling
with tiara.
His faco grow very grave and sympathetic
Was she expecting him homo?”
than-
ipected him so long.”
IIo began to talk of t
othor things, and deliv
ered a mrasago from bis mother—the record
ing angst lately wiped out that nntrnth with
simllo—urging a visit from Mrs. Hsmmond
rod Elisa. “It wonld do your mothor good,
tnd divert her mind,” ho urged. Eliza's oyoo
tnu invert nor miutif no urjjou. r«n» n oyes
brightened at tho thought, ami tho had half
....... j Q f t>
pn raised for both when
But Mr*. Hammond did not go. Tha next
spoke of bio rtturn. One morning sho did not
come to breakfast aa tuual, and three weeks
aferwerd ahs was it nat, and Beverly Ham
mond and his daughter wero ail atone In tho
retire.
Dr. Dihneylendcrlycntrratod Eliza to eemo
„ his home—this time os Ita mistreat- but she
would not conaont to leave hor father, “Ho
shall always have a homo with os,” bo pleaded.
She shook lur head. “IIo would not loavo
Scarlet Oaks now. I could not ask him."
Meantime the day of tho ulo approached;
and by a cruel Irony of fate Blchard came. He
wrote that ho had business of importanco in
Washington, end would atop to MO them on
route. His ftthor was in a state of tremulous
exclti men t when ho arrived, but Eliza hit cold
tnd benumbed, Bichtrd himself was silent at
Hist bnt toon rallied. Ho htd grown vory
bold place on his head, and added linos on
ftce, showing tho marks of time.
Elira felt t bat ho wsa looking at hor critically
tnd that the darn on hor drew was on act of
'premedlattd poverty" in Ida eyes.
The father uketl after his wife with old*
beliii md conrtssy.
•Ob, Annie ia very woll, thank yon.—and
there’s a boy now—named after hor father
Eiastus Fold- -be’otho richest man ont there,
•nd U awfully pleated by the attention—bnt
• L. I— takas kla 1/UtlrB fmitl Atl W Hill St fttwt lift
tho hoy takes hit looks from oar sidt,” and h*
smiled complacently,
"When will yon bring them with yon?”
askad Bliss. “Wo would like to know yonr
fife
“IVsll-Annie It UMd to living In rather a
big way, yoa know—she ha* no idea tint I
wasn't born with a fortune, and it wonld **em
Wry pla'n to her—thla old place,” and ho
loofcid at tho coiling whoro tho stains of leak
ing wero visible, oral the plaster bsd follon
Ella kept silence, and ha odd rat sod bia next
remark to his father.
“I mot Dsbney at tho station, and ho oooosod
Inclined to bo social—ovory yonng follow about
here will waat mo to gt ro him a lift, I dare
*Kilza'i fiscs Irarnod with indignation. “John
ia an cxcollont yonng man,” intorpoood Mr.
Hammond nncaaily. “I don’t know a hotter."
R'chsrd looked op, caoght the expression of
E'lra’t hen and tucks into tho old uorry,
heorty laugh.
rty IsBfl _
Eh-dots tho wind blow that way? Von
to a laugh and chuckle, and said:—
“I'll tell yoa a capital Joko, ftthor, on old
Finchley. Ho has boon raving np his money
all those years—and hs thinks from my stop
ping by now, that I want Scarlet Oaks, and ha
Is going to mako his Now York lawyer ontbid
mo—thinks ho laapitlngmo—and the troth is,
I-wonidn’t havo the old place on my hands.
It's entirely ont of tho world now, sud will
tumble to pieces in n few years. We'll do well
lo get rid of IE”
The next day Blchard wont to tho sals. His
father had Mamed vory quite, only assenting
now and then In a Ufolera way to his remarks.
Alter Bichard had been gono a few horns, ho
eulltd Eliza anxiously to hla side:—
“Will Finchley ont down tho oiks before I
die, Elira? Ho slwayo raid ho would. Call
shade onco moro—and il'a a mild day, toil
Hannah to bring tho baby.”
dng
Alarmed by these wandering words, Ellzs
.......
Into a feverish sloop,
words. Bho had Mnt for tho phytic
could only sit betldo him, and wait with an
anxious and foreboding hurt. At last oho
hind John Dabney's ftmlliar stop and thoroM
to toll him her father was sleeping. Hs enter
ed with so blight a face that sho pausod In sur-
[.rife. Old Beverly Hammond opened hit eyes
and (aught his look at tho same moment: “It
himself op.
“Yi s, good nows—tho host of nowai Biohsrl
thenght totter of lt,*'ter ha heard old Finchley
bisg, and bought It in. Tho old follow got
f rand off when ho hoard of Richard’s money,
and hocked ont boforo there had beats a dozen
bids. Scarlet Oaks It yonrt u long as yon
live!” testing hit hat np In a boyish style.
A smile of delight ovorsproua tho old man's
ftro.
‘Ho rlchard bought It! Thank God. thank
Istan ax touch
ood boy, Ellzs, and ha will not
thorn?” ho said, turning appeal-
“Why, no, ftthor—no ono wonld hurt tho
1 pillows, for 1
hastily arrange
cllncd to llo down.
John Dabney stepped forward and took him
fiomheraimt-alifelMi form—bnt with tho
smile ofccstacy still lingering on bis lips.
' ' !hod by his own kindly
to it by giving tho old
homestead to Elisa on her marrlago day; and
antnmn after antnmn, the rod loaves of tho
scarlet oaks fall fut and thick on Bovorly
Hammond’s gravo, and cover It with a pall of
gloiy, and Eliza's ohlldron play In their shado
0ow the Fair Ones of Washington Territory
Cast Their Ualtota.
Waii.a-Wali.a, May 10,-Althongh a toa
ds rftot and acquainted with fear in our vicinity,
I was appointed Judge ot election In Mica pro-
clnct. A stiugglc was In progress betwixt rival
loans lor the county seat, and runners hod boon
through the precincts urging everybody to bring
out Ihc votes of the ladles. In this chivalrous re
gion our women have equal prerogatives with men,
although thoy view the ballot with an tndiffisrsnea
agonizing lo all advocates of suffrage.
1 went early to the polls, a small, log school,
house In the hills, shadowed by lofty pines, A
. rough wsgon rood ran by the schorl house, where*
In deer trscis were quite as common as hoof-prints
of hones.
The ladies were not early at tho poll*
A Illlle before noon came a family parly, a maw,
wife and three children. Boon alter, from every
direction, as If by preconcerted arrangement,
wagons drove up containing similar households,
hot only were all tho little ones brought along,
bat enormous Jugs of milk end basket*
of lunch. Tho hsrhelon . scattered tim
idly sud tho ladles swarmed In upon..uo
moved Iho benches around thellro, blockaded the
doorway, and took ouilro pos*onion of tho prom-
bes. They were farmers' wives, traxom, scuslblo
and cuorgollc. A moro domestic scene ono seldom
sees. Ileic a mother nursing her baby, then a
tend father Doling his infant daughter, yonder*
knot of women exchanging reclpas for mixed
pickles, tnd again an eager group sotting oat
lurch and pasalog pie ami sliced pork to their
friends.;
J could not at first understand thla Invasion, until
I learned that the achoolhouse waa tha ouo pubUa
rssoi t for social purposes. Dances, panics, singing
Tho Story olToin, Joo (Cnd Jake.
From tho AK Lake Tribune.
Tcm Collett, with two frlonds whom I shall
christen Joo and Jako, was making a slow and
neon near some hot springs not tar from Walker
like. Discovering a largo holo or pool that wu
full of cold water tnd convenient to ouo of tho
hottest or Iho hot springs, thoy turned tho hot
watsr ss It flowed ont of the spring Into tho pool,
unit tho hot end cold water Dlcmllng mods It ex
actly the right temperature for abath. This done,
tbty plunged in and enjoyed tho delicious water
ts only these con who have traveled some day!
over dusty alkali trails In hot weathor. When
suppsr wu over and tho j had lighted thole pines,
the theme of conversation for olong time M thoy
smoked, waa tho dcllclouh bath they had takon,
and Ibo wonderful senso of refreshment It had
brought them. Full of Iho Joy of It, they spread
their blankets on a grssoy plot hentath somo wil
lows a few yards distant from tho spring and full
asleep.
Tom was np with Iho dawn. Rooollccllons of
bin lino bath or tho previous ovonlug woro still
frtsb In hla mind, ho, bounding up Rom hit blank
ets with a ship and t Jump, bo plungod Into tho
pool to hla middle. With a groin of agony ho
sprang outfagaln with tho agility of a wildcat. Tho
hot water had bgcn running all night. Houn bo-
loro dawn the cold-water pool bad been roadered
almost as hot as that or the hot spring Itsel r. Brief
as had been Iho ncriod between hla entry and hla
exit, Tom'! fair shin waa changed to the color of •
lolled lobster. He waa toon In s terrible state, aa
tbo skin was almost sufficiently cooked to pcol off.
A» ho asserts, ho “wu u loader os s yonng pultst
that bad been cooked two hoars." With infinite
care he draw on his pantaloons end boots, though
hs fell ts though tbo cookod flesh were peellug oil
In strips wherevar his clothing touched him. Foro-
log back tbo toon ot anguish that wero welling
out or bia eyes Tom erupt back to ctmp. Though
It waa a most difficult thing 10 do, no put on hit
oldllmo frank smile u bo nesrod tho sloeplng
Pisco at tho willows, for Jako bad awakonodand
wu ilttina on Ida blankets, gaping and stretching.
Seeing Tom approach, Jako asked where ho had
I cen—lf ho bad beon oat looking after their po
nies. Tom replied that bo bad ao enjoyed his both
of Iho evening boron, and had boon so much ban-
cflltd by It, tbit be could not think of b.osklug up
camp without repeating It.
“Jskr,” sold be, “it's Just lovely!” Jtko did not
wait to bear more. Bouncing up from bis blankets
bo tubed away toward the pool. As swiftly as bo
oould move, considering the tender condition of
his skin, Tom followed, and dodging bohlad a con
venient ciumpof willows, kopt covert watch. Jake
threw off tbo lew dafla In which ho bad slept,
bounced Into the pool, uttered a yell of mingled
anguish end rtgo, then clawed his way out upon
tho greOntnrf with Uto colorlty or an alder. As
scon u ho stood erect he begin making twin ap
plications of bis open hinds to various putt of his
body to ornst the ptln, each particular square Inch
of bis hide teeming to hart wore* than tbu other.
All this time ho wot swearing sbluestretk. Und
er tnd louder rots bis voice, as Its hi began to brook
upon bis mind, whoa Tom stepped out from bit
bldleg piece, cry fog: “llusbup! Would you bawl
Uke 0 bull cgii tnd (Ivo ns awty, when that othsi
■on of a gnu np In camp Is not yot cookod; Yo
tnd I btvc hid our dote. Man, we mutt cook him
or wo shall nsver hew the last of It.” Boot hot by
this, Jako carefully drew on bis (routers ana shirt
and Iho pair leisurely proceeded to ctmp.
By Ibis time JOS bad oommtnced to route np,
Bering Tom and Jako approaching bo asked If
ihey bad "fbnnd tbo atock-the pontes?”
“Boniest no," sold Tom, "sro haven’t boon look
ing tor the potties. Wa bars boon taking a bath.
Doycu think,” said bo, as be stood bolding his
^.s.isuwis nwtt (mm thft rftftr of hta Mrvm. "An
held hero.
Mgnal for a general tMemblago of frload*, and the
wemeu had evidently given moro thought to thla
Act than to tho original motive of theoccaaion.
Pi ill they tamo. Jiy coon the building waa fairly
packed, and tho plcnlo appearance Increased with
every arrival.
“It you iron ginghama and callcocaon the wrong
aide they look”—
“Ilia very beat c6w. Tbo unotv was ilcop, and
all tho poor thing got to eat was moss’*—
“They aay her victuals taftto of plno gum half
tho 1 Inc. Drot»a from the pitch ranora”—
"I pulled tho poor child's tooth myao!f, ao”—
“Who shall you vote for, Sue?”
“Me? I don t know. Jack ain't hero yet."
“Mamma, give xne como pic, too."
“Oh, Klizn, at the polls after n’ll"
"1 cp. Didn't want to come n bit. BUI la repub
lican and 1 told him I’d vote democratic aura If ho
nmdo me come. But he aald uo mattor, ao bng aa
wo both voto for Spokane Falla’ ’
Took! I gucu we’ro every bit aa sharp at tho
men folka"
Don't vote for Bplcer. They aay ho iroatt hit
wifo perfectly awfUl."
“1 tall you, Umea has changed!" commented s
man In bloat© and overalls leaning against a plno.
“When 1 was aboy, to home in Indianny, 1 recol
lect heatin’ maw and paw talk this votin' bualnen
over. *1 tell ye,' says tho old man to her, T
wouldn't have ye go to the poll! nohow. Yoa'd
have to walk up to the box through a crowd of
loafers, all smokin' pipes and itarln^at ye, and •
you’d sink through the floor.’ llo orto bo hero
now."
But at last, after Innch was eaten and pat aviy,
and the babies bad had their naps and the ladle*
had exhausted all tho goailp, a general movement
was made towayd departure. It was a long way*
homo, and (he cows to milk, and wator to draw»
and aupper to get and tho breakfast dUheatowaih
at the beds of all.
After such a festival ono might suppose tho
ladies would! vole cheerily, bat this was not tbo
t-axe. It had been postponed as longaa possible
and notv that it must actually bedono they went at
It spitefnlly.
Here was a hunhand handing rival tickets to hia
wife and raying for tho public oar, “You can vote
whichever you like.” at tho same Ume gripping
hii own ba'lot with a resolute air and a Jtw of
such outline ax mado ouo bopo hta hj»ou*o would
vole aa bo did, In llictircrcAU of domcfctlo peace.
There adamo waa Imperatmdy thrusting on hex
husband the prohibition tlckec.
Thera prohibition ladles were earnest and la*
pantaloons away from the rear or hU person, “do
yon think we’d break camp without one more mag-
..irtsvMt mint? Knt mrvh "
nlficrotswlm? Not mock.'
Alibis Joe sprang np crying: “Not much, you
Utt” and dished away toward Iho mile pood. As
Jos disappeared behind tbs willows Tom
Jot disappeared behind tbs willows Tom sprang
for hit pistol and look off ai} the caps. Ho tnd
Jako then secured tbetr own revolvers, Tom cry-
■(jet your pistol, Jako-quick: Tboro’ll bo
SsMJTiM ^ r'mS
tot lie socccidlai Urns day*.
give In Ihrir ballots with an air (
Beyond tbcio few who bad a definite personal pot
pose, Ilia voting wu perfunctory tnd dons with
msnlfi.t dislike. Tho ladles oach handed Ibot
ballot to tho Inspector hiilMtlnily, watcHod curt
ouily ss I10 put it m Iho boa and turned away with
a loss or tbu bead.
"Then : Ii'a tho Hnt lime I crer voted, and 11H
bo tbu last I”
J hope flpokona Ftlb atte tbo county owt so wa
can slay boms next Umo."
"You men must bo growing weak-minded when
you drag an old lady like me out to vote. I'm 70
ytert old. Old enough to know botterl”
And nllb contemptuous air lbs dames rtUrad id
iho wagons. Alas! Tbo perversity or human
nature! While many of their titters In the oast
si*b for snfltago those who have It hold it in dl*>
(lain.
Now cimo young Tyndall and hb wifo on bon*-
back, and User* wsk quite a stir among tho Indira
who still lingered In the wagons and tbo "hoobaaf*
around iho titei. Ttudn.l bad purchuod Uioold*
tit and largest ranch In the precinct and had
brought t bride from “an Francisco several month*
before. Ft w htd seen her, for she was vory retired
and aristocratic.
A young women, with peachy glilbh ftoo, a
wealth of blonde btlr tnd round, bright bluo eyev,
attired ln*n elegant riding habit of dork (TOM
velvet, wltb a long plume on ber dainty cap. ,
"Bho looks very young I ” mid tho Inspoctor as
the couple drew dost. "Do you think she'* old
enough to volet"
"No, i don't," replied ono of iho Judges.
"Then tho oitgbt not to bo allowed."
“You’ll bare lo ssk her oge,” told another ot
the judges.
The burly inspector looked concerned and nerv
ous. More nervous yet u Iho bride came lo, glanood
atout and blushed lo And herself tbu only woman
prcstoL
Tyndall, wbou* dram and hcariog showed etrir
culture, nodded lo the officials, took hb wife's ins
and escorted her forward. He picked out hb tldt
c u Rom ibo table, folded ouo tod banded to ber,
folded Ibo other and bold It hotwMu hb finger*
Mrs. Tyndall presented btraoU before tho ballot
box oiul raised her ticket, uncertain whst coat
util. Ber Innocont bluo oyot retted on the Its
■sector with o pretty look of wonder and Inquiry.
The Inspector dropped hot ballot Into the box.
No doubt a berb renklse in hbcoucteooolothia
day*
tin. Tyndall stood looking on an instant, with,
out nsovtng.
“ft that ail?” she cried at list, astonished.
'Thai's all. You’ve voted, Blelle,” sold bM bu*.
episode ki her. woooacrr cnua
When Iho Oo* So Bo Qnoen.
From Ibo Argonaut.
Ono o? Ibo first things Quoon Victoria dM,
osi bearing UsaUba had succoodml lo ibo Ibroooi
“Am I rcalif quota?” askod tho oxritod prtnera*.
•You ore. Indeed, modems," repltod tbo tady l^-
waiung. "And I sen do whet I cboraw by rtftFTj
SBSBBBBfgSi
inljr, roar nu3«*ty-^
•JehSsHSS
iiiaMUt of tbo Ibftqa, euAHft