Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-02-24
TAKEN PRISONER.

mo rent again this month? This is the
third time that it has happened within the
half year. I'll go myself and get the money,
or I'll know the reason why"
Mr.. Matthew Deane was in a particular bad
Ihumor this raw December morning. Stock
had fallen when it should have risen-his clerk
had tipped over the iukstand on his special
and peculiar paper heap, the fire obstinately
refused to burn in the grate-in short, nothing
went right, and Mr. Deane was corresponding
Iy cross.
Jenkins p
"Yes, SIR
$50 to widow CIarkson's and tell her that
shall be there in just half an hour, and shall
Iexpect confidently, mind, jenkins, confidently.
to receive thatreut money Or else shall feel
obliged to resort to EXTREMIST measures
You understand, Jenkins !"
"Ceriianly, SIR"
Then don't stand there staring like an idi-
ot," snarled Mr.. Deane, in sudden buEst of
irritation, and Mr.. jenkins disappear like
shot.
Just half an hour afterward, Mr. Matthew
Deane brushed his brown hair, just sprinked
with gray, put on his fur-lined over-coat,
and walked forth into the chill winter air, full
ly determined, fguratively, to annihiIate the
defaulting widow Clarkson
1t was a dwarfsh little brick house which
appeared formerly to have aspired to a two
storyhood lot, bnt cramped by circumstances,
had settled down into a story and half; but
the windows shown like pebbles, and the door
step worn down by much securing. Neither
Of these things, however, did Mr.. Deane re-
mark as he pulled the glass door knob, and
/ strobe into Mrs. Clarksons parlor
There was q small fre-very small, as if ev-
cry lump of antharcite were hoarded-in the
stove and at the table, with writing mplements
before her, sat young lady whom Mr.. Deane
| recognized as Mrs. Clarkson's niece, Miss o.
i've Mellen. She was not disagraeable to look
upon, though you never would have though of
CHASING her among the beauties, with shining
black hair, blle long lashed eyes, and pretty
mouth, hiding teeth, like rich kernels, so rich
were they.
Miss Mellen arose, with very polite nod
which was grimly reciprocated by Mr.. Deane.
Il called to see your aunt, Miss MelIen,' he
said.
81 know it, sir; but as 1 was aware of her
timid temperament, sent her away. pre-
Ter TO deal with you myself.
Mr.. Deane started-the cool audacity of
this damsel in gray, with scarlet ribbons in
her hair, rather astonished him.
"I suppose the money is ready?"
"No sir, it is not
"Theu, Miss Olive-pardon me, but 1 must
speak plainly shall send an officer here this
afternoon to put a valuation on the furniture,
and
"You will do nothing OF the kind, sir'
Olives cheeks had Redeemed and her eyes
flashed portentously. Mr.. Deane turned to-
wards the door, but ere be knew what be was
doing, she had walked quietly across the room
and locked the door and taken out the key
she then resumed her seat. !
"What does this mean ?' calculated the as
tonished prisoner of war. - .s
at means, sir" said Olive, "tbat you will
be obliged to reconsider the question" I
"Obligedl" !"
"Yes-you will hardly jump out of the
window, and there is no other mode of egress,
unless you choose to go up the chimney
Now, then, Mr.. Deane, will you tell me if you !
"a Christian man in the nineteenth century
Intend to sell poor womans furniture p /
Listen, sir !"
Mr.. Deane had opened his mouth to remon-
strate, but Olive enforced her words with
very emphatic little stamp Of the foot, and he
was as it were stricken dumb. /
"Yoa are what The world calls rich, Mr.. d.,
you own rows of houses, piles of bank stock, |
railroad shares, bonds and mortgages, who
knows what? My aunt has nothing-I sap |
port her by copy. Now if the case be ea
ried into the court of the law, my poor ailing !
aunt would be the sufferer-you would emerge
unscathed and proftng. You are not a bad
man. Mr.. Deane, you have many noble quail
titles, and like you for them. /
She paused moment and looked gravely |
and intently at Mr.. Deane The color rose
to his cheek-it was not disagreeable to be !
told by pretty girl that she liked him on
any terms, yet she had INDUCED in pretty
plain speaking.
81 have heard" she went on, "of your do
ing kind actions when you are in the humor
for it. You can do them, and you shall in
this instance. You are cross this morning |
-you know you are Hush, no excuse-you
are selfish and irritable, and overhearing If
were you mother, and you my little boy, l
should probably put you 10 the corner until
you promised to be good"
MI OSduG elAllicu IL Ltll6, dllHOuRl uG was
getting angry. Olive went on with the utmost
composure.
"But as it is, 1 shall keep you here a prison
er until you have behaved, and given me your
word not to annoy my aunt again for the rent
until she is able to pay you. Then, aud not
till then, you will receive your money. Do
you promise? Yes or no.
Il certainly shall agree to no snch TERMS"
said Mr.. Deans tartly.
VERY well, sir, | can wait"
Miss Mellen deposited the key in the pocket
of her dress and sat down to her copying
Had she been man, Mr.. Deane would prob
ably have knocked her down; as it was, she
wore invisible armor of power in the very
fact that she was a fragile, slight woman; and
she knew it.
"Miss Olive" he said sternly, "let US termin-
ate1his nummery. Unlock that deor.''
"Mr. Deane, will not"
81 shall shout and alarm this neighborhood
then, or call in a policeman"
every well, Mr.. Deane-do so il you think
best"
She dipped her pen in the ink, and began
on fresh page. Matthew sat down puzzled
and discomftted, and watched the ong-lashed
eyes and family tinted cheek of his keeper
She was very prettV-What pity she was SO