Mark Manning's Mission

himself as th

king boys," he thought. "Well, I fancy he ca

and had no disposition to trouble himself because

would have been willing, like Tom Wyman, to play the part of

these he took. It was a considerable time before he found anything to shoot at. Finally he fired at a squirrel, but the acti

the center of which rose an humble log dw

object to him, he knew that it was occupied by a man who fo

er necessaries. A striking figure he was, with his long flowing sandy beard, thickly flecked

his appearance in the streets never failed

rudeness. With his long staff upraised, he gave chase to them, looking so terrib

mit's cabin, he thought he heard a s

er," he thought, "can

or not, by which the herm

he groan repeated, he overcame his scruples, and p

lay the old man, with his limbs drawn up, a

e asked, as he he

swered Mark. "

ack of rheumatism,"

to take care of you?"

one half sad, half bitter. "Come round to the foot of

ied with h

ely, and said, half to himself, "

th a feeling of pleasure.

Anthony? You see I know what

lling and glad to d

od boy. What

Mann

are. Your moth

es

d p

ey, but we have nev

for your

ployed in the

an. You will never repent what

ned Mark, warmly. "I ought not, fo

ou here?" aske

I was wandering about these woods and happened

ut I was able to be

taken no

t do without it; but

call th

go to the drug store for me you may take the bottle on yonder shelf and get it filled. T

I will go

onder shelf, and select a gold piece. Pay

s,

box found a collection of gold and silver coins

n five dolla

y we

ney so exposed while you are sick an

itors," answer

ght have. S

o provide for that contingency. Will you

the old man

t away with

iness till I get better. I will speak with you ab

much there is h

count it, i

e result of his count, "Twenty-

unt of what you expend for me,"

f confidence in me," Mark refl

want in the village?" Mark

t of milk, if it will not be too much trouble. You

it is,

y we

-some meat, for instance-I can get my m

ail myself of your kind offer. Yo

t life," said Mark. "I should be miserable

cheerful. As for me, I have lived my life. For me no prospect opens bu

him. He could not enter into

he said as he left th