Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-03-17
gnttrrstmg Stprg..
JOHN CLARKE
s AND
HIS FO IF r tt M e!
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENIsoN.

"Never mind the house, John, we'v,
got one of our own" whispered JohI
Clarke's wife.
She was rosy little thing, only TWEEN
ty SUNNI Els old. How brightly and be
witching she shone-a star amid the som
be company.
But what in the world has he lef
me?2 muttered John Clarke. Il believe
he hated me- believe they all hated me.
Hush dear +
IL beqneath to John Clarke, my dear
| ly beloved nephew" read the grim attor
ney, as an award for his irmness in re
sisting temptation the last two years, ano
his determination to improve in all nc
ceptable things, my one horse shay, which
has stood i'll my barn over twenty five
years, requesting that he shall repair il
or cause it to be repaired in suitable
manner"
That was all Some OF the people gath
cred there Uttered all seemed to enjoy
the confusion of the young man. His
eyes flashed fire, he trembled excessively
poor little Jenny fairly cried.
ITO think" she said to herself, :" how
hard be has tried to he good, and that is
all he thought Of it.
Wish you ioy,' said red headed
youth, with grin, a. he came out of the
room.
John sprang up to collar the fellow,
but little white baud laid on his coat
sleeve restrained him.
8 Let them triumph, John, it won t hurt
you," said Jenny, with her sunny smile :
"please don't notice them for my sake. q
Served him right" said Susan Spriggs
the nice OF the old man just dead. aud
to whom he had left all his silver, a" sery
ed him right, for marrying that ignorant
goose, Jenny Drazier. | suppose he cal
cdated good deal on the old gentle
mans generosity" To which she added
in whisper that only her own heart
heard, "she might have married me- lie
had the chance, and | loved him better
than any one clse--be.ter than that
p. city little fool, Jenny Brazier.'
Now we Shall see how deep his good
ness u.s." said maiden aunt through her
nose he stopped short in wickedness,
just because lie expected fortune from
my poor dear brother. Thanks to mas
sey that he left me five hundred dollars.
Now l can | git that new carpet but
we'll see how much Of a change there is
IN John Clarke-he always was an imp
Of wiekedness."
q Well, / guess John Clarke III have to
be contented with his little ten feet shan
ty," said the father Of Susan Spriggs to
good old Deacon Hemp.
Well, | reckon he is content-if he
amt, he ought to be, with that little Jewel
Of wife, she's bright enough to make
any four wa.is SHINE" was the deacon s
reply.
"Pshaw you're all crazy about that
gal Why, she amt to be compared with
my Susan, Susan plays Oh a iorty piano
like sixty, and manages house first
rate.o $3.50
Bless you, neighbor Spriggs, I'd rath
er have that innocent, blooming face to
smile at me when | walked up mornings
than all the forty piano gals you can
scare up tween here and the Indies
fact !"
/ d ike to know what you mean 2" ex
claimed Mr.. Spriggs firing up.
Jest what | say replied good old
Deacon Joe, eoolly.
Well, that John Clarke II die on the
gallows yet, mark my words" replied Mr.
Spriggs, spitefully.
THAT John Clarke will make one Of
our best citizens, and go to the Legislature
vet" replied old Deacon Joe. complac
emily.
Doubt it,"
Yes, may be you do, and that's nice
way to build up young fellow, isn't it
when he's trying his best. No, Johr
Clarke won't be a good citizen if you car
help it. People that cry 8 mad dog" are
plaguey willin' to stone the critter wher
he's running, | take it; and if he ain
mad, they are sure to drive him so. VIII,
don't you step up to him and say, John
I'm glad you re right now, and I've got
faith in you, and il you want any help
why come to me, and Iii put you through
lrightP That's the way to do business
Mr.. Spriggs."
Well, hope you'll do it, that's all,
replied Mr.. Spriggs, sulkily.
hope shall, and I'm bound to am
way, if ! have the chance. Fact is, hei
got such a smart little wife that he don
really need any help"
No-it's pity then that brother ia
cob left him that one horse shay"
You needn't laugh at that I; old Jacol
never did nothing without meaning I,
it. The old shay may help him to be
great man yet. ] think myself if Jacol
had left him money, it might have beef
the ruin OF him. Less things than on,