Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 16, Number 7, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 8 August 1885 — Page 2

II HE MAIL

Si«t

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

TEKRE HAUTE, AUG. 8. 1885.

HA PPIE8T DA YS,

%&

I said to the children, "Yoa are living your happiest days And their their wide eye* opened wider lncocent anuHze For their happiness waa ao perfect,

They did hot know it then. •"Oli, noS" they said, "there'll be happier days When we are women and men." I said to the youth and maiden,

You ar« living your happiest days And into their sparkling eyes there crept A dreamy far ofTgaze. And their hands bought one another,

And their cheeks flashed rosy red "Oh, no!" they said, "there'll be happier days

For us when we are wed,"

,V5

I said to the mnn and woman, 'K You are living your happiest days," An they laughingly watched together

Then baby's cunning ways. •"The*e days are days days of labor They can hardly be our best There'll be happier days when the ctiildren are grown

And we have earned our rest. I said to the aged cbtiple, "You are living your happiest days Your children do you honor:

You have won hdccchs and praise." With a peaceful look, they answered, "Ood Ik good to us. that's true But we think there'll be happier days for us in th$ llfe we're going to." ... ..

il* ~*p"

f(articular

SB. .V^

1H. 8. Edwards In Harper's Magazine.]

Elder Brown's Backslide.

r,

Elder Brown told bis wife good-by at the farin-house door as mechanically as tbougb his proposed trip to Macon, ten miles away, was an every day affair, while, as a matter of fact, many years bad elapsed since unaccompanied he set foot in tbe city. He did not kiss her. Many very good men never kiss tbeir wives. But small blame attaches to tbe elder for bis omission on this occasion, since his wife had long ago discouraged all amorous demonstrations on tbe part of ber liege lord, and at this

moment was Ailing tbe pari­

ng moments with a rattling list of •directions concerning thread, buttons, 'books, needles, and all tire many etceteras of an industrious housewife's basket.

Tbe elder was laboriously assorting those postscript commissions in his memory, well knowing that to return with any one of tbetn neglected would •cause trouble in the family circle.

Elder Brown mounted bis patient steed tbat stood sleepily motionless in the warm sunlight, with bis great pointed ears displayed to the right and left, .as though their owner bad grown tired of tbe life burden their weight inflicted upon him, and was, old soldier fashion, ready to forego the once rigid alertness of early training for tbe pleasures of .frequent resting on arms. "And, elder, don't you forgit them •oallkor scraps, oryou'U foe wantin' kiver soon an' no kiver will be a-comin'."

Elder Biown did not turn bis head, but merely let the whip hand, which Shad been checked in its backward motion, fall as he answered mechanically.

The beast he bestrode responded with a rapid whisking ot its tail and a great sbow of effort, as it ambled off down the sandy road, the ridtr'* long leg* seeming tiow and then to touch the ground.

But as tbe zigzag panels of the rail fence crept behind him, and he felt the 'freedom of tbe morning beginning to act upon bis well-trained blood, the me -chanlcal manner of tbe old man's mind •gave place to a mild exuberance. A weight seemed to be liftiug from it -ounce by ounce as the fence panels, the weedy corners, the persimmon sprouts and sassafras bushes, crept away behind him, so that by the time a mile lay behind hi in and the life partner of his joys and sorrows be was in a reasonably contented frame of mind, aud still improving.

Ft was a queer figure that crept along the road that cheery May morning. It was tall and gaunt, and had been for thirty years or more. The long head, bald on top, covered behind with irongray hair, and In front With a short tangled growth that curled and kinked In every direction, was surmounted by an old-fashioned stove-pipe bat, worn and stained, but eminently impressive. An old-fashioned Henry Clay cloth coat, titained and threadbare, divided itself Impartial.? over the donkey's back and dangled oh his sides. Tbi9 was all that remained of tbe elder's wedding suit of forty years ago. Only constant care, And use of late years limited to extra occasions, had preserved it so long. The trousers had soon parted company with their friends. The substitutes were red jeans, which, whiio they did not well mutch his court costume, were better able to withstand the old man's abuse, for if, in addition to his frequent religious excursions astride his beast, there ever was a man who was fond of sitting down with his feet higher than his head, it was this self-same Elder Brown.

The morning expanded, and tbe old man expanded with if for while a vigorous leader In his church, the elder at home was, it must be admitted, ao uncomplaining slave. To the intense astonishment of the beast be rode, there came new vigor Into tbe whacks which fell upon his flanks and the beast allowed astonishment to surprise him into read life and decided motion. Some where in the elder's expanding soul a tune bad begun to rinft Possibly be took tip the far faint tune that came from the strangling gang of negroes away off in tbe field, ai they slowly chopped amid the thread-like rows of cotton plants which lined the level ground, for the melody he hummed softly and then wing strongly, In the quaveting, catchy tones o? a good old country churchman, was, '"I'm glad salvation's free."

It was during tbe singing of this hymn that Elder Brown's regular motioninspiring strokes were for the first time varied. He began to holi h« hickory up at certain pauses in the nui-ly, and beat the changes upon id«eof his astonished steed. Toe cli j:

frantic leape that would have surprised his owner could be have realized what was going on. Bat Elder Brown's eyee were half dosed, and be was singing at tbe top of bis voice. Lost in a trance of divine exaltation, for he felt the effects of the invigorating motion, bent only on making tbe air ring with the lines which he dimly imagined were drawing upon him the eyee of tbe whole congre-

§aat

at ion, be was supremely unconscious his beast was harrying. And thus tbe excursion proceeded, nntil suddenly a shot«, surprised in his calm search to*, roots in a fence corner, darted into the road, and stood for an instant gazing upon tbe new-comers witb that idiotic stare which only a pig can imitate. Tbe sudden appearance of this unlooked-for apparition acted strongly upon the donkey. With one supreme effort he collected himself into a motionless mass of matter, bracing his front legs wide apart that is to say he stopped short. There be stood, returning tbe pig's idiotic stare witb an interest which must have led to the nresumtion that he never before in all bis varied life had he seen such a singular little creature. End over end went tbe man of prayer, finally bringing up full lengtb in tbe sand, striking just as be should have shouted "free" for the fourth time in bis glorious chorus.

Fully convinced that bis alarm had been well founded, tbe shote sped out from under the gigantic missile hurled at him by tbe donkey, and scampered down the road, turning first one ear and then tbe other to detect any sounds of pursuit. The donkey, also convinced that the object before which be had halted was supernatural, started back violently upon seeing it apparently turn to a man. But seeing that it bad turned to nothing but a man, he wondered up into tbe deserted fence corner, and began to nibble refreshment from a scrub oak.

For a moment tbe elder gazed up into tbe sky, half impressed wilb the idea that the camp-meeting platform bad given way. But the trutn forced its way to tbe front in his disordered understanding at last, and with painful dignity he staggered Into an uprigbt position, and regained his beaver. He was shocked again. Never before in all the long years it had served him bad be seen it In such shape. The truth is, Elder Brown had never before tried to stand on his head in it. As calm as possible he began to straighten it out, caring but little for the dust upon his garments. Tbe beaver was bis special crown of dignity. To lose it was to be reduced to a level with the common wool bat heard. He did bis best, pulling, pressing, pressing, and poshing, but the bat aid not look natural when be had finished. It seemed to have been laid off in to counties, sections, and town lots. Like a well-cut jewel, it had a face for bim, view it from whatever point he chose, a quality which so impressed him that a lump gathered in his throat, and his eyes winked vigorously.

Elder Brown was not, however, a mau for tears. He was a man of action. The sudden vision which met his wandering gaze, the donkey calmly chewing scrub buds, with the green juice already oozing from the corners of his frothy mouth, acted upon bim like magic. He was, after all, only human, and when he got hands upon a piece of brush, be thrashed the poor beast until it seemed as though even its already balf-tanned hide would be eternally ruined. Thoroughly exhausted at last, be wearily straddled his saddle, and with his chin upon his brea»t resumed the early morning tenor of his way

Slue

J.j

arrangement was,

under th»s

'I**"! I l. IV:t»»» s. vit!.' "'.TOa,

Ftu i.a.vu.ioi

Wherever there Is an italic, the ory dee* 1. I' .vly* and a.'tbe -f iu»» -i. mating upon the baa* dm annua

II. "7

•'Qood-mornln', sir.'* Elder Brown leaned over tbe little

picket which divided tbe bookeepers' department of a Macon warehouse from ihe room in general, and surveyed the well-dressed back of a gentleman who was busily figuring at a de*k within. The apartment was carpetless, and the dust of a decade lay deep on the old books, shelves, and tbe familiar advertisements of guano and fertilizers which decorated the room. An old stove, rusty with the nicotine contributed by fs tuers during the previous season while waiting by its glowiug sides for their cotton to be sold, stood straight up in a bed of sand, and

festoons of cobwebs clung to the upper sashes of tbe murky windows. The lower sash of one window had been raised, and in the yard without, nearly an acre in extent, lay a few bales of cotton, with jagged boles in their ends, just as the sampler had left them. Elder Brown had time to notice all these familiar points, for the figure at the desk kept serenely at its task, and deigned no reply. "Good-mornin', slr,^"said Elder Brown again, in bis most dignified tones. "Is Mr. Thomas in "Good-morning, sir," said the figure. "I'll wait on you in a minnte." The minute passed, and four more joined it. Then tbe desk man turned. "Well, sir, what can I do for you

The elder was not in the best of humor when be arrived, and his state of mind had net improved. He waited full a minute as he surveyed the man of business. "I thought I mout be able to make some arrangements with you to git some money, but I reckon I was mistaken." Tbe warehouse man came nearer. "This is Mr. Brown, I believe. I did not recognize you at once. You are not la often to see us." "No my wife usually 'tends to the town blznests. while I run tbe church and farm. Got a fall from my donkey this morning," he said, noticing a quizsicai, interrogating look upon the face before him, "and fell squar' on the hat." He made a pretense of smoothing it. The man of business had already loat interest. "How mncn money will you want, Mr. Brown?" ••Well, about seven hundred dollars," aatd the elder, replacing his hat, and turning a furtive look upon tbe warehouse man. The other was tapping witb hia pencil upon the little shelf lying screws the rail. "I can get you five hundred." "But I oughter have seven." "Can*t arrange for that amount. Walt till later in tbe season, and come again. Money is very tight now. How much cotton will yon raise?" "Well. I count on a hundr'd bales. An' vou cant git tbe sev'n hundr'd doljlarsf" oblige yon, but can't right {lion: Hti fix it later on." "Weii/ »ald thn ?r, slowly,"fix op paper* fT 4u' 1*11 make It go as I *s poe*iH«'."

Th'

.h »t -..sis 'v »I

Impending, did not ni tn for t* -«v.i*Hn. He

fir

ti'*\ whU]

ngs of hi* tii --.-gof hi- li ttt'-tv.iufttft, ftt.-i 'in ,v.r*| WMM Qt nt "mI •.•••v *1 Vfc.i a t!

1

r"a ss i« 1

ou n. batxy :~i to covrr u._ -»m.d

W*r.» drawn. A note was

in Ail l.x P&2 -A for tb •.•interest waa a ono and hi'.f pr-p ecnt. for seven |i: .r.-V. *n! .» tea OQlM 1-r- ik" "4d«r drawn and si en Tti«' h, pi-. mlsed to ,-v ho to be '. 'iii. .* :h :?urt "Anykef, that's alt,**.

-. %v rv*r made an «(T.rt to. '-'iieii'commissions hu^ i.j- departure. In-i ib»m first, and

t-i his wuu«fc Hs'i iUKB bjr item. His

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL.

mental resolves had jnst reached this ment of responsibility. As he moved int when a new thought made itself majestically down toward where Balaam

poi known. Passers-by were puzzled to see tbe old man suddenly snatch his beadpiece off and peer with an intent and awe-struck air into its irregular caverns. shocked

1

Some of thorn were when he suddenly and vigorously ejaculated, '-Hannah Maria-Jemimy! goldarnan' blue blazes!"

He had suddenly remembered having placed his memoranda in that bat, and as he studied its empty depths his mind pictured the important scrap fluttering along the sandy scene of his early-morn-ing tumble. It was this that caused him to graze an oath with less margin than be had allowed himself in twenty years. What would the old lady say

Alas I Eider Brown knew too well. What she would not say was what puzzled bim. But as he stood bare-headed in tbe sunlight a sense of utter desolation came and dwelt with bim. His eye rested upon sleeping Balaam anchored to a post in the street, and so as he recalled tbe trecbery that lay at tbe base of all bis afflictionj gloom was added-trr tbe desolation.

To turc back and search for the lost ir would have been worse than useOnly one course was open to bim, and at it went the leader of his people. He called at tbe grocery he invaded the recesses of the dry goods establishments he ransacked the hardware stores snd wherever be went he made life a burden for tbe clerks, overhauling show cases and pulling down whole shelves of Btock. Occasionally an item of his memoranda would come to light, and and thrusting his band into bis capacious pocket, where lay tbe proceeds of bis check, he would pay for it upon the spot, snd insist on having it rolled up. To tbe suggestion of the slave whom be had in charge for tbe time being that tbe articles be laid*aside until he had finished, be would not listen. "Now yon look here, sonny," he said, in the dry goods store, "I'm conducting this revival, an' I don need no help in my line. Just you tie them stockin's up an' lemme have 'em. Then I know I've got 'em." As each purchase was promptly paid for, aud cbangp had to be secured, tbe clerk earned bis salary that day at least.

So it was when, near tbe beat of the day, tbe good man arrived at tbe drugstore, tbe last and only unvisited division of trade, he made bis appearance equipped witb half a hundred packages, which nestled in bis arms and bulged out about tbe sections of bis clothing that boasted of pockets. As he deposited his deck load upon the counter, great drops of perspiration rolled down bis face and ovmr bis water-logged collar to the floor.

There was a something exquisitely refreshing in the great glasses of foaming soda that a spruce young man was drawing from a marble fountain, above which half a dozen polar bears in an ambitious print werodisporting themselves. There came a breax in the run ot customers, and the spruce young mau, having swept tbe foam from the marble, dexterously lifted a glass from tbe revolving rack which had rinsed it witb a fierce little stream of water, and asked mechanically, as he caught the intense look of lh« perspiring elder, "What schrup, sir?"

Now it had not occurred to tbe elder to drink soda, but the suggestion, coming as it did in bis exhausted state, was overpowering. Hedrew near awkwardly, pot on bis glasses, and examined tbe list of syrup* with great care. The young man, being for tbe moment at leisure, surveyed critically the gaunt figure, the faded bandana, the antique claw-hammer coat, and tbe battered stove-bipe bat, with a gradually rqjaxing countenance. He even called the prescription clerk's attention byacolikgh and a quick jerk oi the thunib. The prescription clerk smiled freely, and continued his assaults upon a piece of bine mass. "I reckon," said the elder, resting his bands upon his knees and bending down to the list, "you may gimme sassprilla an' a little strawberry. Sassprilla's good for tbe blood this time er year, an' strawberry's good any time."

The spruce young man let the syrup stream into the glass as he Rmlled affably. Thinking, perhaps, to draw out tbe odd character, be ventured upon a jest himself, repeating a pun invented by the man who made the first soda fountain. With a sweep of bis arm.be cleared away the swarm of insects as he remarked, "People who Ilk a fly in theirs are easily accommodated."

It waa from sheer grod-nature only that Elder Brown replied, with his usual broad social smile, "Well, a fly now an'^ then don't hurt nobody."

Now if there is anybody in the world who prides himself on knowing A thing or two, it is tbe spruce young man who presides over a soda fountain. This particular young gentleman did not even deem a reply necessary. He vanished an instant, and wben be returned a close observer might have aeen that the mixture in the glass he bore had slightly changed color and increased in quantity. But the elder saw only the whizzing stream of water dart into its center, and the rosy foam rise and tremble on tbe glass's rim. Tbe next instant be was holding his breath and sipping the cooling drink.

As Elder Brown paid his small score he was at peace with tbe world. I firmly believe that when he had finished bis trading, and tbe little blue-stringed packages bad been stored away, could the poor donkey have made bis appearance at the door, aud gazed with bis

meek, fawn-like eyes into bis master's, he wonld have obtained full snd free forgiveness.

Elder Brown paused at the door as be was about to leave. A rosy-cheeked school-girl was just lifting a creamy mixture to ber lips before the fountain. It waa a pretty picture, and lie turned birck, resolved to indulge iu one more glass of tbe delightful beverage before beginning his long ride homeward. "Fix It up again, sonny." he said, renewing his broad, confiding smile, as tbe spruce young man poised a glass inquiringly. Tbe living automaton went through the same motions as before. and agair. Elder Brown quaffed tbe fatal mixture.

What a singular power Is habit? Up to this time Elder Brown bad been entirely innocent of transgression, but with tbe old alcoholic fire iu bis veins, twenty years dropped from bis shoulders, ana a feeling came over him familiar to every man who had been "in his cups." As a matter of fact, tbe elder oughter to soot red. Na would have been a confirmed drunkard tbe hat's red like goes twentv years before had his wife been bird* of a feather flock less strong-minded. She took the reins old man laughed unul his into her own hands when she found I wet. that hi* business and strong drink d*l The girl, beginning to fee not mix well, worked bim into the ea*y, and seeing a cnston church, and sustained hisrotoIuUons rapidly fixed np the bonnet, making it difficult and dansemus dollar* out of a t»«nty-dou bim to to his toddy. She b-catne calmly asked the eider if he the btjsinews bead of tbe family, and he thing else. He throat his ch tbe spiritual. Oaiv at ware intervals did where into his clothe*, and be ever "backslide dnring the twenty treat. It had occurred to year* of the new era. nod Mrs. Brown was nearly drank. herself nmd to sav that the aogar In, Elder Brown's step begair h!»» tnmM to gall before the backslide b««vancv. tf" found mm ended." People who knew her never unable to w*lk ntraight. doubt#-* i*. Mn*r»aln straddle in his

But E!d«r Brown'sain during there- ried bim from one side «i mainder of the day contained an ele- the other, and caused people

slept in the sunlight, he felt no fatigue. There was aglow upon the cheek-bones, and a faint tinge upon bis prominent noee. He nodded familiarly to people as he met them, and saw not tbe look of amusement which succeeded astonishment upon the various faces. When he reached tbe neighborhood of Balaam it suddenly occurred to him that he might have forgotten some one of his numerous commissions, and he paused to think. Then a brilliant idea rose in his mind. He would forestall blame and disarm anger with kindneas—he would purchase Hannah a bonnet.

What woman's heart ever failed to soften at sight of anew bonnet As I have stated, the elder was a man of action. He entered a store near at hand. "Good-morning," said an affable gentleman with a Hebrew countenance, approaching. "Good-mornin', good-morpiny said the eider, piling his bundles on the counter. "1 hope you are well Elder Brown extended bis band fervidly. "Quite well, I thank you. What—*" "And the little wife?" said Elder Brown, affectionately retaining the Jew's band. "Quite well, sir." "And tbe little ones—quite well, I hope, too

Yes, sir aU well, thank you. Something I can do for yon The affable ssercbant was trying to recall his customer's name. "Not now, not now, thankee. If you please to let my bundles stay untell 1 come back—" "Can't I show yon something? Bat, coat—" "Not now. B»back bimeby."

Was it chance or fate that brought Elder Brown in front of a bar? The glasses shone bright npon the shelves' as the swinging door flapped back to let out a costless clerk, who passed him with a rush, chewing upon a farewell mouthful of brown-bread and bologqa. Elder Brown beheld for an instant familiar scene within. The screws of his resolution bad been loosened. At sigbt of tbe glistening bar the whole moral structure of twenty years came tumbling down. Mechanically he en tered tbe saloon, and laid a silver quar ter upon the bar as be said "A little whiskey an' sugar." The arms of tbe bar-tender worked liks a a fakir's in aside sbow as he set out the glasses with its little quota of "short sweetening" and a eut-glass decanter, and sent a half-tumbler of water spinning along from tbe upper end of the bar with a dime in change. "Whiskey is higber'n used to he," Bald Elder Brown^ but the bar-tender was taking another order, and did not hear bim. Elder Brown stirred away the sugar, and let a steady stream of red liquid flow into the glass. He swallowed thedrink as uncouceruedly as tbo«gh bis morning tod bad never been sus petided, and pocketed tbe change. "-But it ain't any better than it was," be eon eluded, as be passed out. He did not even seem to realize that be had done anything extraordinary.

There was a millinery store up tbe street, and thither witb uncertain step be wended bis way, feeling a little more elate, and altogether sociable. A protty black-eyed girl, struggling to keep down her mirth, came forward and faced bim behind the counter. Elder Brown lifted his faded hat with the politeness, if not the grace, of a Castilian, and' made a sweeping bow. Again he was in bis element. But he did not speak. A shower of odds and ends, small pack ages, thread, needles, and buttons, released from tbeir prison, rattled down about bim.

Tba girl laughed. She could not help it. And tbe eider, leaning his hand on tbe counter, laughed too, until several other girls came half-way to tbe front Then they, biding behind counters and suspended cloaks, laughed and snickered until tbey re-convulsed tbe elder's vis-a-vis, who had been making deeper ate eflorts to resume her demure appearance. "Let me help you, sir," she said, coming from behind tbe counter, upon see ing Elder Brown beginning to adjttst his spectacles for a search. He waved her back majestically. "No, my dear no can't allow it. You mout slle tbem pnrty fingers. No, ms'am. No gen'l'man '11 'low er lady to do such a thing. The elder was gently forcing tbe girl back to her place. "Leave it to me I've picked up bigger things 'jq tbem Picked myself up this mornin'. Balaam —you don't know Balaam he's my donkey—be tumbled me over his head in the sand this mornin'." And Elder Brown had to resume on upright position until his paroxysm of laughter bad passed. "Yon see'this old bat?" ex tending it half full of packages "I fell clear inter it jes' as clear inter it as them things thar fell out'n it." He laughed again, aud so did the girls. "But, my dear. I whaled half tbe hide ofl'n him for it." "Ob, sir! how could you* Indeed, slrv 1 think you did wrong. The poor brute did not know what be was doing, I dare aay, and probably be has been a faith ful friend." The ous eyes toward snickered again. Tbe old man was not conscious of tbe sarcasm. He only saw reproach. His face itraigbtened, and be regarded the girl sobtrly. "Mebbe you're rigbt, my dear mebbe I oughtn't." "I am sure of it," ssd tbe girl. "Bat now donl yoa want tdbay bonnet or cloak to carry home tb yoar wife "Well, you're whistln' now, birdie that's my intention sit 'em all out." Again the elder's faceshone with delight. "An' I don't wtnt no one-boss bonnet either. "Of course not. Now here is one pink silk, with delicate pale*blue feathers. Just the thing for this sefcon. We have nothing more elegant inftock." Elder Brown held it oat, uglide down, at arm's length. "Well, now, that's sutBn' like. Will it soot a sorter red-hesdwi'oomsn perfectly sober man would have said tbe girl's corsets mu4 have ander gone a terrible strain, bath be elder did

girl cast her mischiev. h«r companions, who

not notice her dumb coduMon. She answered, heroically: "Perfectly, sir. It Is exquisite

"I think you're wh tlin* sgain. Nancy's bead's red, red as wood peek's. Sorrel's only balf-wav tofbe color of her topknot, an' it do

nted

lose its utterly was an car[walk to be

Tbt

met to cheerfully yield him plenty of room. Balaam saw him coming. Poor Balaam. He had made an eaily start that day, and for hours he stood in the snn awaiting relief. When he opened bis sleepy eyes and raised his expressive ears to a position of attention, the elder were before bim. He lifted up his honest voioe and cried alond for joy.

The effect was electrical for one instant. Elder Brown surveyed tbe beast witb horror, but again in his understanding there rang oat the trumpet words, "Drunk, drunk, drunk, drer-unc, erunc, -unc, -unc." tie stooped instinctively for a misstile which to smite bis accuser, but brought up suddenly with a jerk and a handful of sand. Straightening himself up with a majestic dignity, he extended hisiright band impressively. "You're a goldarn liar, Balaam, and, blast your old buttons, you kin walk home by yourself, for I'm danged if you sh'll ride me er step."

Surely Coriolanus never turned his back upon Rome with a grander dignity than sat npon the old man's form as he faced about and left the brute to survey with anxious eyes the new departure of his master.

He saw the elder zigzag along the street, and beheld bim about to turn a friendly corner. Once more he lifted up his mighty voice. •'Drunk, drunk, drunk, drer-unc, drer-unc, -erunc, -unc, -unc."

Once more the elder turned with lifted hand, and shouted back: "You're a liar, Balaam, goldarn you! You're er ifltunous liar." Then hepassed from view.

III.

Mrs. Brown stood upon the stepsanxiously awaiting tbe return of her liege lord. She knew be had with him a large sum of money, or should have, and she knew also that he was a man without business methods. She bad long since repented of tbe decision which sent him to town. When the old battered hat and flour-covered coat loomed up in the gloaming and confronted her, sbestarted with terror. The next instant she hHd seized him. "For the Loid sakes, Elder Bvown, what ails you As 1 live, if the mau ain't drunk!. Elder Brown! Elder Brown for tbe lite of me can't I make you hear? You crazy old hypocrite! you desavin' eld sinner! you blackhearted wretch 5 where have yoa ben

The elder made an effort to wove her off. "Woman," he said, with grand dlgnity, "you forgit yussef sbu know ware I've "ben 'swell 'si do. Ben to- town, wife, an' see yes wat I've brought—the fines' hat, ole woman, I cowld uit. Look't tbe color. Like goes 'Uh iike it's red an' yo«'re red, an' it's a dead match. What yer mean Hey! hole on! ole woman!—you! Hannah!—you." She literally shook him into silence. "You miserable wretch! you low-down druiiken sot!! what do you aaean by coming home and insulting your wife? Hannah ceased shaking him firom pure exhaustion.

Where is it, I say? where i& it?" By this time she was turning bis pockets wrong side out. From oae she got pills, from another change, from another packages. "The Lord be praised, and this is better luck than I hoped! Oh, elder! elder! elder! what did you do it for? Why, man, where is Balaam?"

Thought of the brest choked off the threatened hysterics. "Balaam? Balaam?" said the elder, groggily. "He' in tow«. Theinfernal ole fool Suited me, an' I lef him to walk home."

His wife surveyed him. Really at that moment she did think his mind was gone but leerupon the old man's face enraged tbe beyond endurance. "You did, did you? Well, now, reckon you'll laugh for sometause, you Will. Back you go, sir—straight back an' don't you come bome 'tnout that donkev, or you'll sure as my name is Hannah Brown. Aleok!—you Aleck-k-k!"

A black boy darted round tbe corner from behind which, with several others, be had beheld tbe brief but stirring scene.

Put a saddle oner mule. Tbe elder's gwine back to town. And don't you be long about it neither." "Yessum." Aleck's ivories gleamed in the darkness as he disappeared.

Elder Brown was soberer at that moment than he had been for hours. "Hannah, vou don't mean it?" "Yes, sir, I do. Back you go to town as sure as my name is Hannah Brown."

The elder was silent. He had never known bis wife to relent on any occa sion after she bad affirmed herintentioni supplemented with "as sure as my name is Hannah Brown." It wss hex way of swearing. No affidavit would have bad half tbe claim upon ber as that simple enunciation.

So back to town went Elder Brown, not in tbe order of the early morn, but silently, moodily, despairingly, surrounded by mental aud nctual gloom.

The old mau had turned a last appealing glance upon the angry woman, as be mounted witb Aleck's assistance, and sat in tbe light tbat streamed from out tbe kitchen window. She met the glance without a waver. "She means it, ae sure as my name is Elder Brown," he said, tjbtiskly. Then be rode on.

IV.

To say that Elder Brown suffered on this long journey back to Macon would only mildly outline his experience. His early morning's fsll bad began to make itself felt. He was sore and uncomfortable. Besides, his stomach was empty, and called for two meals it had missed for the first time in years.

When, sore and weary, the elder entered the city, the electric lights shone above it like jewels in crown. The city slept tbat is, tbe better portion of it did. Here snd there, however, the lower lights flashed out into the night. Moodily tbe elder pursued bis journey, and as he rode, far off In the night there rose and quivered a plaintive crv. Elder Brown smiled wearily: it was Balaam's appeal, and he recognized it. Tbe animal be rode also recognized it, and re pKed, until the silence of the city was destroyed. Tbe odd clamor and con fusion drew frrm saloon near by a group of noisy youngsters, who bad been makings night of It. Tbey stir rounded Elder Brown «s he began to transfer himself lo tbe hungry beast wbo«e motion be was more accustomed and in tbe "hail fellow well met" sty I* of this dsy began to bandy apsn hi* appearance. Now Elder Brown we* not in a jesting humor. Positively be was in tbe worst humor possible. The result was that before many minutes passed the old man wss swinging several of tbe crowd their collars, snd breaking the pesc the city. A policeman approached* "d bat for the goodbo tnored party, upon whom tbe elder's pi nek bad made favorable Impression. wonld bare run tbe eld man i»t» the barracks. Tbe crowd, however, drew bim laughingly Into the saloon and tbe bar. The reaction wss too much foi his half-rallied senses. He yielded again* The reviving lfquQr pi*eed hi*

lips. Gloom vanished. He became ona of the boys. Tbe company into which Elder Brown had fallen was what is known as "firstclass." To such nothing is so captivating as an adventure out of tbe common run of accidents. The gaunt countryman, with his battered nat and clawhammer coat, was a prize of an extraordinary nature. They drew him into a rear room, whose gilded frames and polished tables betrayed tbecharacter and purpose of the place, and plied him with wine until ten thousand lights danced about bim. The fnn increased. One youngster made a political speech from tbe top ot the table another impersonated Hamlet and finally Elder Browo was lifted into a chair, and saus a camp-, meeting song. This was rendered byt, him with startling effect. He stood up-iv

1

right, with bis hat jauntily knocked to one side, and his coat tails ornamented ,,, witb a couple of sbow bills, kindly pinned en by his admirers. In his left hand he waved tbe stump of a cigar, and o» his back was an admirable representation of Balaam's head, executed byy some artist with billiard ebalk.

As the elder sang his favorite hymn„^ "I'm glad salvation's free," his stentorian voice awoke the eehees. Most of the company rolled upon the floor ln-%7f canvulsionM of laughter.

The exhibition came to a close by the chair overturning. Again Elder Brown fell into his beloved hat. He arose and shouted "Whoa, Balaam Again he seised th» nearest weapon,, and sought satisfaction. The young gentleman with political sentiments was kuocked under the table, and Hamlet only eseap- ,,s ed injury by beating the in aria ted elder into the street.

What next? Well, I hardly know. How the elder found Balaam is a mystery yet not that Balaam was bard to find, but that tbe old mau was in no condition to find anything. Still hedid, and climbing laboriously into the saddle be held oa stupidly while the hungry 'ft beast struck out for home.

V.

Hannab Brown did not sleep tbat night. Steep would not come. Hour I after hour passed, and her wrath refused 1 to be quelled. She tried every coacelvable method, but time hung heavily. It was not quite peep of day, however,

And so on this occasion when she closed the book the tieree anger wa* gone.

She was not a hard woman naturally. Fate had brought ber conditions which covered up tbe woman heart within her, but though it lay deep.it was there still. As site sat witb folded ha ds ber $yes fell upofi—what? ,!

Tbe elder had been asleep. He woko^ aud gazed upon her blandly. "What mule, Hannah "The mule you rode to town."

For one full minute tbe elder studied her face. Then It burst from his lips •'Well, bless me! if I didn't bring Balaam snd forgit tbe mule!"

The woman laughed till ber eyes ran wfltor* "William," said she, "you're drunk." "Hannab," said he, meekly, "I know it. The truth is, Hannah, I—" "Never mind now, William," she said* gently. "You are tired and hungry. Come into the house, husband."

Leading Balaam, she disappeared, down the lane and when, a few min~ utes later, Hannab Brown and her husband entered through the light tbat streamed out of tbo open door, her arms were around him, and ber face upturned to his.

RELIEF FROM CA TA RRH. Prof. W. P. Johnson, Principal of the Public Schools in Benton, Arkansas,., under date of March 17, writes:

This certifies that I have been a suffer* er from Catarrh for nearly 18 years, be-J:, inga portion of the time Incupaoitatedf from attending to mv business. Triedf a number of most eminent physicians North and South spent over $500. I, was partially deaf, a quantity of bones^. resembling fish scales came out of myi'i nose and head, and I was at one time reduced to 70 pounds. Ten bottles of 8. &.S.cured me sound snd well, and I am? so to-day. It is tbe best blood purifier* I have ever used. W. P. Johnson.

Ttw only known specific for Epllcptic Ftu. "1\Jf Mso for Spasms snd Falling BIcIuwm. Kerr oil* Weakness it IzuttMUjr relieves aud cnrcs. C1esn*e* blood sad qalclccns tlu«rgl*h clreaUtlon. Jfentro-i ltees fternas of disease and uros slckncas. Cures,

fA SKEPTIC 8*101

o,.2t Uotcliet aaJ stubborn t.ood sorca. Eliminates oU*, Carbuncles snd Ecslds. t#"I'eruisncntly sad ^iwanptl/ cures paral-sl*. Ye#, it Us charming sad acalttifU Aperient. K::li Scrofula ond Kftcs 1M1. .win fcxotiwrs. bsd brc&iii to gooJ, reoor*

4

when she laid her well-worn family Bible aside. It had been her m« titer's. and amid tbe anxieties and tribulations «, incident to tbe life of a woaran who bad |g free negroes and a miserable husband to manage, it had been her mainstay and comfort. She bad frequently read it in anger, page after page, without knowing what was contained in tbe lines. But eventually tbe words became intelligible and took meaning. She wrtsted consolation from It by i*ere force of will.

Tbe pink bonnet with the blue plutne! It may appear straoge to those who do not understand such natures, but to me her next action was perfectly natural. She burst into a convulsive laugh then, seizing the queer object, bent her face upon it and sobbed hysterically. When mh the Btorm whs over, very tenderly she laid the gift aside, and bare-beaded pass|. ed out into the nicht.

For half-hour she stood at tbe end of the lane, and then hungry Balaam and his master hove in sight. Reaching out her hand, she checked tbe beast. I "William." s%id she, very gently, ""Where is the mule

I

•iervii^

'its eatse. Ron's til lot:* tendencies ssd make* fiati itnpleiLion. equalled by turns la tbe delirium -A v.t. A cbsKblng resolreat and a mstcblcss ?. li «fr:r' glcfc Headsctra like the wind. (tlceaUiartfcoropfste#. KeUcros

(m aaafl

r.1

Hn

tM itrala ol faactta. Proir.pK/ cures Eticaty r-mu.stt, r^«torcs liXf-rivlfist prope* Moc»:. r. -id to curtail nerrons

f,

C-'s-

en opiate*fad. Bo V. u-'n: gr.'l-atcs tbo body. Cum

t* I. r:' i..<p></p>mB,

ttauvd.

iwntta.t z'iucmr. Endorsed

la r4b "-vtsd iing dtlze&a, f- &. m*l Europe. tun.