The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-01-08
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JOHN CLARKE AND HIS FORTUNE
BY MRS. VI. A. DENISON.

|
got one of our own,.' whispered John
Clarkc's wi e.
She was rosy little thing, only twen-
ty summers old How brightly and be-
witchingly she shone--a star amid tie
! sombre company.
"But what in the world has he left mc?'
muttcr,d d John Clarke. al believe he
hated me-I believe they all hate me-"
Hush, dear"
II bcqucath to John Clarke, my dear
y beloved nephew" read the grim attor-
| ncy as reward for his frnness in resis-
ting temptation the last two years, and
his determination to improve in all ac-
ceptable things, my one horse shay, which
has stood in my barn over twenty five
years, requesting that he shall repair it,
OF cause it to be repaired in suitable
manner.
That was all Some of the people
gathered there Uttered, all seemed to en-
JOY the confusion of the poor young man.
His eyes flashed FIRE, he troubled excess
sivcly; poor little Jenny fairly cried.
"To thnk," she said to herself, chow
hard he has tried to be good, aud that is
all he thought Of it -
"Wish you JOY said red-hcoled
youth, with a grin Us he came out of the
room.
John spvang to collar tho fellow, but
little white hand laid on his coat sleeve
restrained him.
Let them triumph, John, it won t
hurt you," said Jeuny with u sunny
>mile-p!case don't notice them for my
sake
Served him right" said Susan
Spriees, the niece of the old man just
dead, and to whom he had left all his
silver, ''servcd him right for marrying
that ignorant goose of a Jenny Brazier.
suppose he calculated good deal on the
old gentleman's generosity" To which
she added in whisper that only her
own heart heard. ''IIe might have
married me. He had the chance, and |
loved him better than any one else-bet-
ter than that pretty little fool, Jenny
Brazicr."
"Now we will see how deep his good
ness is, said maiden aunt, through her
nose; "he stopped short in wickedness
Jest because he expected fortune from
my poor, dear brother Thanks to mas
sy that he left me five hundred dollars.
Now can git that new carpet; but well
see how much of change there Is III
John Clarke-he always was an imp of
wickedncss."
"Wcll, | guess John Clark II have to
be contented with his little ten feet shan
ty," said the father of Susan Spriggs to
good old Deacon Joe Hemp
"Well, I reckon he is content-if he
int he ought to be, with that little jew
el of wife, she's bright enough to make
any four walls shine," was the deacon's
reply.
"Pshaw. you're all crazy about that
gal. Why she amt to be compared to
my Susan. Susan plays on the forty pi-
ano, like sixty and manages house first
rate"
"Blcss you, neighbor Spriggs, I'd rath
er have that innocent blooming face to
smile at me when ] walked up Of morn
ipgs than all the forty piano gals you can
fact"
"Id like to know what you mean," ex-
claimed Mr.. Spriggs, firing up.
"Jest what | say" replied good old
Deacon Joe, coolly.
DWELL, that John Clarke'll die on the
gallows yet, mark my words" said spyisg
spitofully.
THAT John Clark will make one of
our best citizens, and 60 to the legisla.
ture yet replied Deacon Joe compla-
Gently.
doubt it -
ayes, may be you do, and that's a
pretty way to build up young fellow,
isn't it, when he's trying his best. No,
John Clarke wont be good citizen if
you can help it. People that cry mad
dog are phguey willing to stone the
critter while he's running, | take it
and if he amt mad they're sure to drive
him SO. Why don't you step up to him
and say, John, I'm glad you're going
right now, and I've got faith in you, and
if you want any help, why come to me
and I'll put you throuch?' That's the
way to do the business Mr. Spriegs." "
"Well, hope you Il do it, that's all, +"
replied spriggs, sulkily.
81 hope | shall, and I'm bound to, any
way if have the chance. Fact is, he's
got such a smart little wife that he don't
really need any help.
"No-it's pity then that brother ia
cob left him that one horse shay"