The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-01-26
NUMBER 5.


wick. with frightfully cleaning courtesy. 4 told
Richard. and tell the truth. he shouldn't be hurt.
N you please she repeated, with majestic nod;
and Mrs. Ducklow took her hands of.
'Wherc are they now where are they" cried
DuckIow, rushing hcadlong to the main question.
Don't know said Taidy.
Don't know you villain " And Ducklow was
rising In wrath. But Miss Beswick put up her
hand dcprecatingly.
and Ducklow sank down again.
What did you DO with 'em! what did you want
Of 'emr said Mrs Ducklow. with difficulty re-
straning an impulse to wiring his neck. =.
10 cover my kite, confessed the miserable
Taddy. a:
Cover your kite your kitcr A chorus OF
groans from the Ducklows. 'Didn't you know
no bettcrT
'Didu't think you'd care said Taddy. 4
had somc newspapers Dick five mo to cover il;
but thought them things 'u'd be potter. SO
| took 'em, and put tho newspapers in tho
wrapper
Did yc cover yer kitc?'
NO. When found out you cared 90 much
about 'em, darS'nt; was afraid you'd SEQ
'cm'
Then what did you do with 'em?'
when you was away, Dick como over to
sleep with mo, and IL sold 'em to him.
'Sold 'cm to Dick!'
YES, spoke up Dick, stoutly, for elk mar.
bcs, and one was a bull's.cyc, and one agate,
and two alleys. Then, when you como home
and made such fuss, he wanted 'cm ag'in.
But he wouldn't give mo back but four, and
wa'nt going to agree to no such nonsense as
that
I'D lost the bull's.oyo and ono common
whincd Taddy.
But the bonds! did you destroy 'em7'
Likely I'd destroy 'cm, alter I'D paid six
marbles for en- . said Dick. i wanted 'em
10 cover my kite with
Cover your oh then you've made kite
OF 'em?' said Ducklow.
well, was going to, when Aunt Bcswick
ketched me at it. She made mo tell where
got 'em, and took mo over to your house just
now and Taddy said you Was over here, and
30 she put ahead, and made us follow her.
Again, in an agony Of impatience, Ducklow
demanded to know where the bonds were ut
that moment.
If Taddyl give mo back the Marbles DO.
gan Master Dick.
.That'll do said Miss Bcswick, silenciug
him with gesture. Reuben will give you
twenty marbles; for believe you said they
was Reuben's bonds, Mr.. DucklowT
Yes, that is'-stammered the adopted
father.
.Evcntooally,' struck in the adopted mother.
'Now look here! What am to understand?
Bo they Reubcn's- bonds, or be they not2
That's the question: And there was that in
Miss Beswick's look which said, If they are
not Reubcn's, then your eyes shall never be-
hold them more!'
sOf course thoy'rc Rsuben's!' 'Wo in.
tended oil tho while -. Ills benefit - 70
do Jest as he pleases with 'em, chorussed Pa
and Ma Ducklow.
wall! now it's understood! Here, Reu.
ben, are your cowpon bonds
And Miss Beswick, drawing them from her
bosom. placed tho precious documents, with
formal poltencss, In the glad soldiers agitatcd
hands.
sGlory!' cried Reuben, assuring himself
that thcy were genuine and real. 'Sophrony,
you've got home! Ruby. Carrie, you've got
q home! Miss Beswick you angel from tho
skics order bushcl and half OF marbles
for Dick, and have the bill sent to nc! Oh,
Pa Ducklow! you never did nobler or more
generous thing in your life. These will lilt
the mortgage, and leave mo nest-egg besides.
Then when ] get my back pay, and my pen.
sion. and my health again, wo shall DO inde-
pendent
And tho soldier, overcome by his feelings,
sank back in the arms of his wife.
I'VE always told you we'd do we'll by 70,
you remcmbcr?' said the Ducklows, trium.
phantly.
The news went abroad Again congratula.
tions poured in upon the returned volunteer.
Everybody rcjoiccd in his good fortunc,--os.
pccally certain rich ones who had been dread.
ing to SEQ Miss Bcswick como round with her
proposed subscription paper.
Among the rest, tho Ducklows rcioiccd not
the least for selfshness was with them. as it
is with many, rather thing Of habit than =
fault OF tho heart. The catastrophe Of tho
bonds broke up that lifelong habit, and re-
ycalcd good hearts underneath. Tho con-
seriousness OF having done an act Of justice, al
though by accident, proved very sweet to them;
it was really fresh sensation; and Reuben
and his dear little family. saved from ruin and
distress, happy, thankful, glad, was sight to
their old oyos such as they had never witnessed
before. Not gold itself, in any quantity, at
tho highest premium, could have given them
70 much satisfaction and as for coupon bonds,
they aro not to DO mentioned In tho comparison.
wont you do we'll by me sometime, too?'
teased little Taddy, who overheard his adopted
parents congratulatipg themselves on having
acted 80 generously by Reuben. Il don't caro-
for no cowpon bonds, but ! do want new
drum!
Yes, yes, my son . said Ducklow, pattins
the boys shoulder.
And the drum was bought.
Taddy was delighted. But hc did not know
what made the Ducklows 80 much happier. 80
much gcntlcr and kinder, than formerly. Do
vnu0