Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-12-24

However after this they went and took their
walk-they and their children. The Oldest
child was only twelve years, and the Youngest
was two. Tommy and Johnny were twins,
They were jolly looking family.
When Jereb returned and entered his shop
the hrst thing be saw was a green silk purse
He picked it up and found it full of gold
Quick as thought he put on his hat again and
ran from the shop. He reached the hotel Int
the stage had gone, and the old gentleman had
gone in 1t. So the cobbler returned to his cot
and there sat down with the purse in his hand
easily
The wife pondersd long while and finally
replied
Lets take it down cellar and hide IL Then
We shan't be robbed of it, nor we shan't loose
1T; and when he comes we shall have fffof
him .-s.-- -
But supposing he should never come, Hep.
Py?n
they may use it"
- Heppy, my delight, you are right"
So they went down into their narrow cellar.
and having Looked all around they finally re-
moved stone from the wall, put the purse
in-having first rolled it up in many thick
nesses of stout paper-and then put the stone
back as it was before.
On the following day the cobbler watched for
the stage, and when it came he went to see if
the otd gentleman had come back This he did
every day for two months, and no old man
came.
At the end Of that time, Jareb was taken
SICK He was very, very sick, and for a long
time the doctor despaired of his life. And Ia
reb was very poor, too. Many q night the
children went supperless to bed
"Jareb, whispered Heppy, with a fright
ened lock, " there's gold in the cellar, y"
again" gasped Jareb, in agony al have
thought of it ! Ay-tbers's gold there; but
'usn't ours. 'tisn't ours, Heppy,"
After many days, Jareb Gropp was able To
walk out One pleasant autumn day. as he
hobbled along upon crutch and staff, he saw
the stage coach coming. 1t passed him, and he
saw that same white haired old man upon the
box with the driver. The poor cobbler burriaS ieS
on; and when he reached the tavern be found
the old man standing in the hall.
"Ah, is this the merry cobbler? - cried the
stranger.
" am the cobbler who mended your boot
last spring. sir, replied Jsreb.
Yes, know added the old man, "and
the stage driver tells me you have been very
sick" wy
" have been sick, sir. All, 1 was made
nervous first, and then I caught a cold. Yes,
I've been very sick"
9 The driver tells me your family suffered
much daring your Illness"
Some, some, sir. But that isn't the thinr
now. Didn't you lose something the day you
came to my shop"
LOse!'' repeated the old man staring.
Did you find anything?"
Yes, sir"
Was it a,Purse?"
"Of green silk? ?"
"Yes, sir"
With fifty gold guineas in it?r
don't know what was in it. found it;
have it."
Ihe stranger regarded the cobbler for some
moments In silence. and finally said be would
60 SO Jareb led the way to bis little cot.
Here, my love, said the cobbler. address
ing bis wife. I" let US have a candle; the gentle
man has co.6e for his purse"
"We haven't got candle, Jareb; but have
something that will answer"
And thus speaking, Heppy went out, and
when she returned she brought a pine knot
which she lighted by the fire. Jareb took This
and turned towards the cellar, and the stranger
followed him.
L can get it, sir"
Go on; I'll follow you"
The cObbler said no more but bobbIeJ down
the narrow steps, and when he came to that
part OF the wall where the purse had been con.
cealed, he asked his companion to hold the
torch The latter did go, and then Jareb re-
moved the stone and drew forth paper parcel
all damp and mildewed. They returned to the
upper room, where Jareb unfolded the stout
papers and produced the purse uninjured
- Here, sir; here is your purse, lust as /
found it !"
The old man emptied out the broad gold
pieces and counted them-just fifty of them
lie returned them to his purse, and looked
into Jareb's face
Have you suffered for want of money dur
ing your sickness ," he asked
Much, much, > was the answer.
And you had this gold by you all the
while?" VIZ
1T WASH { ours, sir. Oh, may have spf.
fered, but not as l would have suffered had I
taken that 1t wasn't mine it was YOURS
Iake It, sir; and when you remember poor
old Jareb Gropp and his seven children, and
nis own wife, you'll say they weren't very
iarned, but you ii say they were honest"
"dropp! Crop! GROPP?" repeated the
old man, fixing his gaze not upon Jareb, but
upon MS wife. on are not from England
are you !' turning to Jareb.
fes, sir, answered the cobbler.
From what psrt?''
From DaTentry. among the hills of North
ampton."
And what was your name before you was
married :" the old man asked Of the good wife,
My maiden name was Hepsebat6 Munson,
sir"
Were you from Daventry ?"
No, sir. L was from Kibwarth. in Leices.
ter went to Daventry to live when I was
sixteen" was
lou never had a brother ?"
les, sir. / had one-George-be went off
to India, and there he died, Poor Georos
lie was good boy-he was very good to me.
away" "A'
How do you know he is dead?''
Because We never heard from him, sir"
Hepseb =" cried the old man. starting
to his feet, Look at me! Look at me, I saw
See if you can't tell me who am! rsmem.
Der now OF hearing that you had married a
man named Gropp, but couldn't find where
say, do you know me"
lit amt George Munson. :" gasped Heppy.
starting from her chair, and trembling like an
aspen.
Look at that purse. Didn't you see that
name 2" And as the old man spoke he showed
her name worked in golden thread, but which
she had not detected. But she read it now
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