John Habberton

“ Zenas had been ill or feeble, in her little flat in the city, to hear her husband tell how in the country any man whose wife was feeling poorly could borrow a neighbor's carriage or sleigh and take the dear woman out for an airing. Mrs. Zenas never had an outing except in a horse-car, for her husband, though strong in affection and self-sacrifice, had but a small salary, and the olive-branches which were the family's only riches always needed something which cost about as much as a carriage for an hour or two. ”

“ In fact it was more with joy than sorrow that, one day, Zenas learned from a chance acquaintance on the train, that there were special reasons why Mr. Maytham would be away from home for some time, for the man was a defaulter, and fleeing from justice. The Bortleys agreed that it was providential that the families had not become acquainted; for although Zenas, like a good man, tried to pity sinners while he hated sin, he told his wife that a mere entry clerk, with a family dependent upon him, could not afford to be known as an acquaintance of a defaulter's family. ”

“ Maytham was not in daylight attire, he whispered something to the men, who abruptly turned, said "Good-night," and went away.
"Mr. Bortley" said the woman, seizing her neighbor's hands, "you are a noble man."
"Madam," said the little man, who in spite of a broken nose and closed eye now felt himself the equal of any one alive, "you are a true woman. Try to feel easy about your husband. He will be safer in my house than in his own, until we see how the authorities regard the burglar story. ”

“ It was too bad, on general principles, that a house should be robbed, but that particular house, probably furnished with the wages of Maytham's crime—well, the little man recalled, without a bit of shame, and to his great satisfaction, the infamous old saying that "The second thief is the best owner." And really—this as his conscience attempted to rally—might not spoliation be a judgment upon the woman who had been so blind, insensate, and brutal as to call the Bortley family—the larger and better part of it—a "gang"? ”

“ Heaven has mercy, as man will show you." He relaxed his hold and thrust a hand into his pocket, continuing to talk fast—
"Mr. Maytham, you say you're too weak to run far; you won't be safe in your own house—hurry into mine—here's the key to the back door—go upstairs as softly and as far as you can—there's nobody on the top floor, and there's light enough in the halls for you to see your way. Don't make a noise, or you'll rouse my family. Now's your chance—knock me aside and hurry across the fence—quick. Go softly—on your toes—keep in the shadow." ”

“ As the dog-days dragged on, Zenas' hammock under the trees became more and more attractive as a lounging-place, until finally the little man, who had often slept out of doors in the woods when he was a country boy, ventured to be young again and spend an occasional night in his hammock. ”

“ I've got the whole family out of the house—first time in my life I ever was glad to do it. Everything here?—water, towels, comb, and brush? She deserves to see you looking your best."
Then the little fellow dressed hastily, hid as much of his face as possible in a bandage and slipped out upon his near piazza. ”

“ She was a good woman too, or Zenas was no judge of human nature, and as she had no children, the little man, who could not imagine that any one regarded boys and girls except with the adoration which he bestowed upon his darlings, was sure that if Mrs. ”