The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-01-19

Did you cvcr?' said Mrs. Ducklow, gaining
courage to speak after tho visitor was out OF
hearing.
.She's got tongue y said Mr.. Ducklow.
Strange she should speak Of your investing
money to-day D. 20 s'posc she knows?'
Il don't see how she can know And Mr..
Ducklow paced the room in deep trouble. 1--we
been careful not to give Ghint ont to anybody,
for knew Jest what folks would say: III
Ducklow has got 80 much money to dispose of,
he'd better give Reuben lilt.' know how
folks talk
Coming here to browbeat us!' exclaimed
Mrs. Ducklow. i wonder ye didn't he u little
more plain with her, father! wouldn't have
sot and been dictated to rs tamcly as you did =
you wouldn't? Then why did ye? She
dictated to you as much rs she did to me aud
you source opened your head; you did mt dars'
to say yer soul WAS your own'
sYcs, did, T.
you ventura to speak once, and she shot 20
up quicker'n lightnin! Now tell about you
wouldn't have sot and been dictated to like q
tame noodle. as | did,
Il didn't say tame noodle
'Yes, 70 did. might have answered back
sharp enough, but was expoctn' you to speak.
Men don't like to dispute with won,ea.'
That's your git-ofr,' said Mrs. Ducklow,
trembling with vcxation. you was jest as
much afraid of her as was. never eco ye so
cowed in all my liie.'
'Cowed! | wasn't cowed, neither. How
unreasonable, now, for you to cast all the
blame on to me =
And Mr.. Ducklow, his features contracted
into black scowl, took his boots from the cor
ncr.
~. ~. -. A., ,.> .,,I L.,o -. o, -. "a A..
Ducklow. Il shouldn't think you'd put on
yer boots jest to step to tho barn and SEQ to the
hoss.'
I'm gon' over to Reubcn's.'
TO Rcubcu's! Not Tonight, iathcr!'
Yes, think better. He and Sophrony III
know we heard of his gittin' home, aud they re
enough inclined ready to feel we neglect en-.
Haven't yo got somethin' ye can send?'
Il don't know, ,'-curtly. 1--we source ever
been over to Sophrony's, but l'vc carried her a
pie or cake or something; and mighty little
thanks got for it, as it turns outn
why didn't yc say that to Miss Beswick,
when she was runnin' us go hard about our
never doin' anything for emp
''rwouldn't have done no good l knew jest
what she'd say. What's pie or cake now
and then?'-that's Jest the reply she'd have
made.-Dear me- what have been doing|
Mrs Ducklow, rising, had but just discov-
cred that she had stitched the patch and the
ousers to her apron.
r'So much for Miss Beswick = she exclaimed,
untying the apron-strings, and 6ingins the
united garments spitelully down npon u chair.
Il do wish such folks would mind their own
business and stay to homc!'
you've got the bonds sate?' said Mr.. Duck
low. putting on his waistcoat.
yes; but won't engage to keep 'em safe.
They make me as narvOus as can be. I'm
afraid to be left alone in the house with 'em.
Here, you take EN-
Don't be foolish. What harm can possibly
happen to them or you while I'm away? You
don't 'spOse want to lug them. around with
me wherever go, do YEP
Pm sure it's no great lug. Is'pose you're
afraid to 20 acrost the fields alone with 'em in
yer pocket What in the world were going to
do with 'em don't see. If We 20 out, we
can't take 'cm with US, for fear Of losing em,
or of being robbed; ard VIC sha'nt dare to
leave em to home, fear the house II burn up or
git broke into
we can hide 'em where no burglar can find
EN- snid Mr.. Ducklow.
YES, and where nobody else can find EN-,
neither, provided the house burns and ueighbors
come in to save things. don't know but it'll
be about as Miss Beswick said we sha At
take no comfort with property We ought to
make over 10 Reuben
DO you think it ought to be made over to
Reuben? II you do, it's new to me'
No, don'tr replied Mrs. Ducklow, decid.
cdly. Il guess we better put 'em in the clock.
case for tonight, hadn't wc?'
Al. Ia o-ol (. hn.,
is robbed! No: I've an idee. Slip 'em under
the settin.room carpet. Let me take 'em:
can fix place right here by the sidc Qt the
door,
With great care and secrecy the bonds werc
deposited between the carpet and the floor, and
chair set over them.
what noise was thatT said the farmer,
starting.
'rhaddeus,' cried Mrs. Ducklow, 'is that
your
II was Thaddcus, indeed, who, awaking from
q real dream OF the drum this time. and, hear
ing conversation in the room below. had once
moro descended the stairs to listen. What
were the old people hiding there under the care
pet! Ii must be those curious things in the
envelope. And what ,sere those things. abou,
which 30 much mystery seemed necessary
Taddy was peeping add considering, when he
heard his name called. He would have glided
back to bed again, but Mrs. Ducklow, who
sprang to tho stairway.door, was too quick for
him.
what do you want now ? she demanded.
IL want you to scratch my back, said
Taddy.
Ashc had often come to her with this limo
cent request, after undressing for bed, he did
W fha ~ "A.