THE NFWAG3NT. “Susan, I tell you,I can't live so much longer. I'm workin’ the flesh off my bones ; I'm starvin' myself ; you are starvin’ ; and the Lord knows our chil- dren. are poorly enough off. I tell you *tain’t no use, I ean’t live so. Some- times, when I git to thinkin’ of it right up an’ down—in esrnest—I feel as though 1'd rather go to the workhouse and bave done with it.” #1 know it's hard, Malcolm ; really, couldn't it be harder ?" “Harder. Ba harder? What can you imagine harder'n what we have to endure now ?" “1 was thinking of the health of our little ones, Malcolm, and of our own health, too.” “Aye,” exclaimed the weary man, with a twist in his face that was a comi, cal idea had struck him, “and jest see what the heudth and robustness of them youngkets is costin’' me. [ some times think they'll eat us all up before they get their growth." Susan laughed, for she knew how fondly and tenderly her husband loved those same “youngkets,” and how much he wou'd sacrifice fir their sakes, She was afraid he would be finally giving up the farm. Sbe was born on it, and she loved it dearly, and it would pall terribly upon her heartstrings to leave it. Her six children had been born be- neath that same sheltering roof, and, altogether, her life had been a very pleasant and happy one. Yet she knew that they were payiog an exorbitant rent—altogetber too much—more by far than the farm was worth. But others did the same, and he and she must bear with them, All this she said to her husband as he sat by the fire filling his pipe. She spoke modestly, snd kindly, and per. sussively. Malcolm lighted his pipe and smok- ed for a time in silence. At length he brought his foot down with a crash and burst. “Dang itall 1 I didn't mean to tell you, Susan, but I can't keep it no lon- ger. Carter says that squir's going’ to make another rise oa the rent.” “No, ne, Malcolm. You do not mean i?” “It's just as true ss gospel. Five shillin's a month. That's three pounds s year.” “Oh, Malcolm, [ don’t believe that the squire’s got any hand in the business It's Carter's own doin’, now you depend upon it.” “I've thought o’ that myself, Susan; but look : The young blood is away on the Continent—in Paris, I believe, where he's been ever since be came from Cambridge, and he’s spendin’ money * fast. 1 tell you I look to see the whole grand estate, hall, abbey and all, put up to the highest bidder one o' these days. Ah, taint as ‘twas when young Philip's father was livin’, We weren't ground down then. He lived on hi place and looked out for himself, and now you see where the money's goin’ at be laid up—thousands upon thousands of pounds I” A further smoke in silence, and he added If anything should happen ‘at Master Philip should be obliged to begin to sell, this farm would be the very first bit o’ property to go. It's the farthest outlyin' farm of the estate. Just think of it! We're nigh on to five miles sway from the Hall, and yet he owns all the land atween heres and there-—every rood of it, What a shame it is "at a young man without any family, only his moth ar and two sisters, should eat into such a gran l old heritage so outrageously ! Halles! | declare it's rainin’.” “Why, it'« been raining this half hou Malcolm,” “Well, | never noticed it until Eh ! who's that, I wonder!" It was a rap upon the outer door. Mal. colm got up and teok acandle and went to answer the summons, He found on a broad door stone a young man, tall and strong, clad in rough forest garb such ay gamekeepers and foresters were wont to wear leather breeche« and leather jacket, with strong leather gaiters, and upon his head a Highland bonnet, He carried in his hand a fowling piece, with shot pouch and powder horn at his sides. Maloolm Wansley was not the man to keep a wayfarer at his door to tell his story when the whole story could be be read at a glance. “An, stranger { got onught in ssbower ob ? Come right in. We've room, sir, and a bit o' fire to boot.’ a fine look: ing man, nearly « head taller than his host, and well proportioned ; his skin tanned by expocure 10 the weather, his blue eyes bright and clear, his face handsome, ith a look of keen intelli: gence upon The vi spoke pleasantly and re way de: but, now, though he had found a good wetting which would help to fill out the story of the day. After he had partislly dried his gar- mente, the good wife asked him if he would taken sup and a bite, if she would set it before him, With a genial smile, he answered that he wes hungry. He would not put her to trouble, but if-— Moleolm stopped him abruptly. “Don’t talk of putting us to troubled sir. What are we good for, if we can't help one another in mes of trouble and want? We hain’t got much, and what we have got's plain and homely, but it's good, and it's honestly come by." And thereupon Susan set out a small table, and prepared a substantial eal, Her three elder children come in from the little kitchen, where they had been parching corn, and seated them- selves modestly by the fire with a dish of the snowy corn before him, The stranger begged a few kernels, and the eldest, a girl of twelve years, at once offered him half of all they had, but he only thanked ber and accepted asmall quantity ; and as he ate he told the little ones hos he had loved popped corn when he was a child like them selves. When the meal was ready the stran- ger ate and drank with relish, and when he had concluded he gladly accepted » pipe, and as he smoked he began to question the host about himself and his affairs, He said he was almost a stranger in that region, and he knew but little of it, “What,” said he, in suprise, after Malcolm had told him who was his land- lord, “does this farm beiong to the Max- well estate! I had no idea that the territory extended so far.” “Yes, sir,’ responded the fa.mer, “Young Philip Maxwell owns a big estate, and it.s a pity he don’t take care of it. Ifall I hear is true he's runnin’ through it pretty fast.” “Is that so! What makes you think it tasked the stranger. “What makes me think it! ” echoed Malcolm. slevating his brow and blow ing out an extra cloud of smoke. ” Would a young man like him, without a family—leastiwise | never héard of his bein’ married would he, owin’ such as grand estate as this,crowd dewn on a poor man like mie till he'd gol almost his last shillin’ aod then, on top o’ that jam and crowd harder still, if he wasn't goin’ it pretty fast ™ Maleolm was becoming excited and the thought of the last rise in his rent which had been made known to him on that very day, filled his cup of indigna- tion to overflow, “Yes, sir,” Be went on, “I've been payin’ a rent for this farm that no man ever ought to pay—a rent that has robb. eo! me and my good wife and the little ones of things that we really needed, and now it's to be raised again. Susan —that's my wife, sir—her father rented this farm and she was born here, which you will understand, kind o' teaches her to the place. Well, her father paid M10 a yesr and paid once in six months, My first year's rémt was B12, then it went up, aod up,and ap, sad for three years at last past I've paid BZ a month and now, sir, I've got notice that I'm to pay an advance of five shillin's a month That's b3 more a year. Not much, you may say, but it's the last ounce that breaks the camel's back. When a man’s payin’ all he can pay, bow can he pay more 7” “But,” said the wayfarer, shaking the ashes from his pipe, “why don't you speak with the squire himself 7" “What ! and he away in Paris 7” “Then why not write to him !" “Ah, sir, there youve hit it! When voang Master Philip came into posses- sion he madeit a law that the man who complained to him should be turned off at once. He's kind o’ ticklish, 1 should judge, about bein bothered, and he don't like to have his feelin's stirred up so when he look possession he was de termined that he wouldn't have no complaints nor faultfinding. He plan- ned that he would enjoy all of life that could be enjoyed, and if bis tenants had ‘roubles they shouldn't saddle ‘em off on to him. So, d'see, he just made that rule—and he made it strong the man that opened his bead to him about his rent or about any short comin’ what ever, or that dared to write to him, should be turned off, neck and heels, without further warnin'." “But denr man, do you reslly think Master Philip Maxwell would do that thing 7” the guests asked the considera. ble interest. “Would he?" eried Malcolm, ex- plosively. “Go and ask poor old Dan simpson what he thinks, Old Dan had the Goodspeed farm one of the best on the estate—as large as six of this, He dared to post a letter to the squire, and he got his discharge off hand. Yes, vir, he was turned away and the farm let to another within a week after the letter | dt uk ob ps Silas Cr. where the postofice it. Ah, it was dif- ferent wher. the old squire was livin’. He never turned a deaf ear to an honest tenant not he! “Why look, Susan an’ me-—we'd kind o' promised ourselves that we'd give our second child—=little George----he's ten years old now, sir that we'd give to him a leetle batter eddication than boys of his rank generally get, but we can’t do it now. This last rise in our rent has took the last penny and more, too, Really and truly, I don’t think I ean pay it. I bate to give up the dear old place, where Susan was born and reared but it must come. I can haves farm of Sir Oliver Thorndike for one balf what I've got to pay another year of this, “But pardon me, good sir, This is no businets of yourn ; but you asked me a question, and | got a goin’ and didn’t know how to stop, seein’ that the rise in my reot had just been made. But, believe me, good sir, I ain’t in the hab- it of tellin’ this stuff out o'school. You're the first man not one of us that I ever opened my head to on the sub. ject. 1 wouldn't like that Silas Carter should hesr what I've been tellin, cause d'you see, such things sound so different when they're told second hand,” “Have no fear of me, my good man,” returned the stranger, heartily. “My name is Sidoey—George Sidney. | have met young Maxwell, and should I chance to meet him again you may be sure I shall give him a gentle bint of how things are going on here. Is there anyone on the estate who, you think, would be entirely fit and com- petent in every way for an agent in Carter's place" “Yeu, tir, answered Malcolm, prompt. ly and heartily ; “I know just the man, savin’ my wife's presence. It's her brother—John Guilford. He used 0 rent a farm here, but he gol disgusted with Carter'suppishness and left. He's now with Sir Oliver—a sort of useful man about the old castle, bul not engag. ed permanently.” “Did you ever write to your young master I" “No, sir—never."” “I suppose you-—oan write 7’ The howest, hard ‘handed farmer col- ored upto the eyes; and, befors he could speak, his wife answered for him: “Good sir, Malcolms got into a sort of careless way of speaking, but | do es- sure you he ha a good education. As for writing he's done that ever since he was a child ; and Mr, Carter'll tell you if he'll tell the truth-—that my hus- band bas straightened out his secounts and written important letters for hm, more than once, Malcolm won't speak for himself, but I'll speak for him.” Mr. Sideey nodded and smiled and changed the subject, He asked Mal- colm about his land, about his crope, and about the best methods of treating land for different kinds of seed. And then he asked about the quality of the land of the various large farms of the estate, and sought to know bow thy were catried on, To all his questions the farmer not only gave intelligent answers, but he offered many thoughts and suggesti-n that might bave been of real value to the owner of the land. At 9 o'lock Maloolm suggested tiat as it was late snd very dark, with rain still falling, Sidney had better spend the night with them, if he could put up with their homely accommodation. He accepted the offer gratefully, The good wife provi led him with a clean, comfortable sleeping room, and gave him a comfortable bed in which to sleep, and on the following morning after a good brrakfast, the weather be- ing clear and bright, be bade his enter. tiiners » kindly adieu, promising them that if h+ he should ever be in that re- gion again, he would not fail to call. Boils Malcolm and Susan thought it rather strange that the man had made them no offer of return for bis enter- tainment; snd yot they were glad that he had not, for they would only refused it, snd thus, perhaps, have hurt his feelings, They remembered that he had worn no jewelry nor no ornament of any kind. That afterncon Malcolm barnessed his horse and rode to the village, where he found great commotion. The squire—young Mr. Philip-—had arrived at the Hall, and it was believed that he waa going to spend the summer on his estate, seen him ? Nobody. But they knew he had come, because his luggage had come. “I went up to the Hall lust evening,” said the keeper of the village inn,” “but he was not there, Thay told me into the woods he said to start up a deer, and if you'll believe it, be did'ng get back till this morning. I don't know where he stopped. I can’t im- agine," Malcolm Wansley felt dizzy. His head seemed to whirl and his throat to fill up. Without a word to anybody, he got back into his wagon and drove home— drove up to his door just as alight chaise from the Hall pulled up, in which was one of the squire's grooms, Malcolm was wanted at the Hall at once, He was to ride with the messen. ger: The startled man dared not tell hi® wife of the wonderful thing that had bappened, He unharnessed his own horse and put him back into his stable, and then simply saying to Susan that he was go- ing up to the Hall, he got into the chaise snd was driven away, Arrived at the great mansioo-—Max- well Hall-—-Malcolm was conducted at once into the main vestibule, thence into the great ball, and so on to the sumptously furnished library, where sat his guest of the previous evening, who arose at once, advancing with a genial, kindly smile and an extend band. “Well, well, Malcolm, we are met sgain. Stop stammering man, has been no deception. There Didn't you know my baptismal name? Philip Sidney Maxwell,” Malcolm might have remembered, if he had thought, but he had no thought. Maxwell pointed the farmer to a seat and then opened conversation; bug there is noneed that we should follow all that was said. The squire spoke of his old agent, Silas Carter, closing his remarks on that subject thus: “1 should serve him but justly if I should consign him to the county jail ; but I have stripped bim of his ill-gotten gning, most of which [ shall restore to the tenants whom he has roboed in my pame ; aod | bave east him out from our midst, warning him that if [ see him here again | may proceed against him legally.” And then, after a few remarks os other objects he ssid : “And now Maleolm, a worl regardiog yourself. The pretty stone cottage in the park is empty since Carter loft it, and | am without an agent and super- intendent. They are open Lo you—the cottage and the office—if you will se cept them, and I will only add that by accepting you will confer a favor upon me which will mand my deepest snd warmest gratitede, I think | shall not be disappointed. Ah, none of that! My eyes are open; I know what | sm doing. Not only will | take your wife's word, but [+ have spoken with othsrs, and | hear but one report. All 8 «+k in your favor. Come say the w rd, snd | will go to the superintend e A's office, nnd place the books and paper 'n your bands at once,” Ii was in the dusk of the evening when Malcolm Wensley was set down (ieorge at his own door, “Maloolm where have you been 7” “Where | 10ld you | was going—to the Hall" “For what" “The squire sent for me.” “The squire! Is he at home.” “Yes, and inten s to remain at home.’ “Oh, iam glad! Bat what in the world did he want of you 7’, “Ob, nothing particular, He only wants us to live in the stone cottage in the park, and be has made me his agent and superintendent.” “Malcom Wansley | Oh, how can you? “But it is true—every word of ir." “Made—you-—his—~agent! And who in the world ever put that idea io hie head 7” “You did, my darling.” “17 Oh, what a “Hold on! The squire ate supper here last evening and spent the night with us.” Oh, Oh, Was it" “Yes, dear wife: it is all as | tell you, Does it please you 1" Ob Maleolm, how can we wver be thankful enough Simply by doing the very best we ean for Philip Maxwell.” “You are right, mv hasband, and we will do it.” And they kept their word, both of them, and before another year had pa® sed away not only did the young squire bless the storm that drove him into the shelter of Malcolm Wansley's humble cot, but hiv *enants of every class bad esuse to turn their blessings in the same diraction, co Rucexr in the South Car. he had been there, but he had gone out,” Just then a servant from the Hall ar. olina marl beds have disclosed the fos sils of over 1,000 different species of an. imals, These bods now take preced. ence over the “mauvaises terres” of the West, — A — Ox the European continent are 947, | 00 mile of elograph wie, with 30,100 Tides. The tides av Bt. John are one of the natural wonders of the world. In the Bay of Fundy the waters rises from thir- ty to seventy two feet. A ship captain told me that he had achored his ship with nine fathoms of water under hers and that at low tide she grounded, Dry docks are unnecessary, A vessel isan’ chored at a pier at high water and made fast with eables; when the tide goes out she is high od dry, resting on the muddy bottom with the water twenty feet away. When the tide begins to ebb a strange phenomenon appears. The 8t, John River flows both ways at the same time, the water coming down the river and the water going up with the tide, passing each other in opposing currents, The landing for boats, which is mada to rice and fall with the tide, is | at least 250 feet long, Steambosts, wich use other piers land their passen~ gers at high tide from the lower deck, and at low tide from the top of the pad. | dle-boxes, which are furnished with | stairs. ysoident snd Jhest appelnted Inathiution s Business Education. pre sddrem, i P. DUFF & BONS, | To impart a Practical Business Education has, for many years and with great success beets the sim of Daf's College, No, 4% Fifth Avénue, The faithful student has here facilities for each a traluing ss will | quality him for an immediate entrance upon practioal | ation in any sphere of life. Por circulars addres P, | Duff & Sons, Pittsburgh, Pa. Duffs Bookkeeping. | published by Harper & Bro, printed in colores, 400 | pages. The largest workon the solenos pub tistiod. A work for bankers.rallronds, business men and practi. | cul sooouniants. Price, $3.00 GREAT INDUCEMENTS | AT THE Bellefonte Marble Works An Italian, Rutland, Sutherland Falls, French | Blue and Dorset Monuments, Tomb- stones and Burial Vaults: #5. GRANITE WORK A SPECIALITY. G8 Sutherland Falls Filling, with Ide La Motte Mar. Ble for Border, Tubuler Galvanised Wrought Iron Fencing for Cemetery Lote and Private Yards, Grave Guards, Iron Settees, Chairs and Vases. IC. | COME AND SEE Alo, ENAMELED SLATE MAN. TELS, MARBLEIZED AND DECORATED FURNI- TURE AND WASH. STAND TOPS. HEARTHS, FIRE GRATES, Et. All Work Guaranteed to Give Satisfaction and st the Lowest Price. 8. A. STOVER, High Street, Bellefonte, Pa. 6. 29- Rr 10. DO YOU WANT A NICE, COMFORTABLE BOOT or IF 80, CALL AT MICHAEL COONEY'S Stand, Mec Cafferty’e Build. ing, opp. Depot. ELLEFONTE, PENNA. CURRY INSTITOTE and Business College of Pittsburgh. 24 INSTI UCTORS, mh 650 STUDENTS LA | Course of Steady incledes all tse Common Bhool Modern Higher Mathom tion, Bentantuy Wiocathon, Dre apd of Maske 10 O00 Pall Lessons $18. Ciredinrs lita? dag Specimens of Pens reanehip and full information HARMON "WILLIAMS, Business Manager, or JAR, CLARK WILLIAMS, A.M, 2 Principal’ HAVING OPENED A NEW COACH REPAIR SHOP ON LOGAN STREET, We would respectfully invite the public to give us a call when in want of any work in our lice. We are pre: pared to do ALL kinds of TRIMMING, REPAIRING Say REMODELING. Jro make a specialty of UPHOLSTERING J IN ALL ITS BRANCHES, Union Business College. | 8. W. Cor, Penn Ave. and Sixth 8. | The Leading Normal School | | | | Well known Boot and Shoe | | | i { : : 3 ] i i : CALICOES, NEW GOODS ARE DAILY ARRIVING AT THER OLD AND RELIABLE STORE OF U. HOFFER & CO. THE BARGAINS THEY ARE OFFER- ING IN DRY GOODS, SILKS, CASHMERES, Etc., Purchased at un- usually low prie es and wil sold correspond- ingly low. PURE GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, 'UEENSWARE, ETC.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers