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

going 10 work To find 'em, now they're lost.
without making inquiries; and We can't make In :
quires without letting 1t be known VIC had
bought
i been thinkin' about that said her husband.
oh, dcar!' with q gruan; | wish the pesky
cowpon bonds had never been inventcd!'
| They drove FIRST to the bank, where they were
of course told that the envelope had not Gcen un.
tied there. Besides. 1t was sealed, wasn't itl :
said the cashier Indccd!' Iie expressed great
surprise, when informed that 1t was not. II
should have been supposed any child would
know enough to look out for that!
And this was all the consolation Ducklow could
obtain.
Just as cxpccted,' said Mrs. Ducklow, as
they resumed their journey. Il jest as much be-
lieye that man stole your bonds rs that you
trusted em in his hands in an unsealed wrapper!
Beats all, how you could be so careless
wall, wall! | s'posc never hear the last ont!
And again the poor old marc had ~ suffer for
Mrs DucklUw's offences.
| They had but one bOpo now,-that perhaps
I Taddy had tampcred with the envelope, aud that
| the bonds might be found somewhere about the
house. But tIis hope was quickly cxiinguished
on their arrival Taddy, being accused, protested
| his innvcense with yehemcncc which convinced
even Mr.. Duckow that the cashier was probably
the guilty party:
one got into the house that morning when the
|
'0i, don't lick me for that! I've been licked
for that once; ha'n't |, Ma Ducklow' shriekcd
Taddy.
The house was searched in vain. No clew could
be obtained 10 the purloined securities,-thc cop
les of the Sunday Visitor which had been sub
stitutcd for them aiiordng not the least; hr that
valuable little paper was found in almost every
household, except Dncklow's.
| Il don't see anyway left but to advertise, rs
Josiah said,' remarked tho farmer, with deep
sigh Of fdespondency. -,
| And thatll bring II all QUIT exclaimed Mrs
Ducklow. If you only hadn't been 80 lmprn
dent!'
wall, WALL said Ducklow, cutting her short.
Before rcsOrting TO public measures for the re-
coyery OF the stolen property, II was deemed ex-
pedient to acquain their friends with their loss IN
private way. The next day, accordingly, they
went to pay Reuben visit. II was q very differ
ent meeting from that which took place few
mornings before. The returned soldier had gain.
ed in health, but not in spirits. The rapture OF
| reaching home once more, the flush Uf hope and
happiness, had passed away with the visitors who
| had hocked To offer their congratulations. lie
had had time to reflect he had reached home, In
deed; hut now every moment reminded him how
5000 that home was to be taken from him. lie
looked at his wife aud children, and olenched his
teeth hard to stfe the emotions that arose ut the
thought Of their future. The sweet serenity, the
faith snd patience and chcerfulness, which never
ceased to illumine Sophronia's face As she moved
quietly about the house pursuing her daily tasks,
and tendcr!y waiting upon him, deepcned at
once his love and his solicitude. lie was watch.
Ing her thus when the Ducklows entered with
countcnanccs mournful rs tho grave.
How are you gittin' along, Reubenf said Mr..
Ducklow, while his wife lnurmured a solemn
good mornin' to Sophronia.
Il am doing we'll enough. Don't be at all con-
cerned about me! Ii ant pleasant to lie here,
and feel II may be months, months, before am
able to be about my business; but wouldn I
mind it-I could stand II first rate could stand
anything, anything, but to see her working her
life out for me and the children! To no purpo-e,
either; that's the worst Of 1t. We shall have to
lose this place, spite OF fate!
oh. Reuben' said Sophronia, Fastening to him
and laying her soothing hands upon his hot fore
head; why won't you stop thinking about that
Do try to have moro faith! We shall be taken
care Of, I'm sure!
II | had three thousand dollars, or even
two,-then I'd have faith!' said Reuben. Miss
TIeswick has proposed to send subscription
paper around town for us; hut I'D rather die than
have It DONE Besides, nothing near that amount
could be raised, I'm confident. You ncedn' Z gr0an
so, Pa Ducklow, for | ANT limiting Mt you. |
don't expect you to help me out Of my troubles.
IL you had felt called upon to do it, you'd have
done it before now; aud don't ask, don't beg
of any mani! added the soldier, proudly.
| That's right like your spcrit! said the mis-,
cradle Duckluw. But was sighing to think OF
something something you haven't known any
thing about. Reuben
| YES. Reuben, VIC should have helped you,' said
Mrs. Ducklow, 'and did, did take steps towards
it.
In fact resumed Ducklow, you've met with u
great misfortin', Reuben. Unbeknown to your
self, you've met with great msfortin'! Yer Ma
Ducklow knows
'Ycs, Reuben, the very day you came home,
| ID, I., ll,y NJ, Inv far
benefit. We didn't mention it,--you know
wouldn't own up to II, though didn't exactly
say the contrary, tho morning VIC was over
hcrc'-
Decausc,' said Ducklow, as she f.ltercd, we
wanted to surprise you VIC was keepin' 1t secret
till the right time, then We was Soin' to make 1t
pleasant surprise to ye.'
| what In the name OF common sense are you
talking aboutI' cried Reuben, looking from one to
the other Of the wretchcd, prcyaricating pair.
| 'Cowpoi. bonds = groaned Ducklow. Three
thousan' dollar cowpOn bonds Tho money had
been lent. but wanted to make good investment
br you, and thought there was nothin' 30 good
| as Gov ments'-
That's all right said Reuben. '0nly. u you
had money to invest for my benefit. should have
| preferrci to pay of the mortgage the first thing.
Sartin sartin I! said Ducklow; and you
could have turned the bonds right IN, II you hal
SO chosen, like 30 much cash. Or you could have
|
paid the interest on your mortgage in currency,
and made 50 much, as | rather thought you
would
but the bondsy eagerly demanded Reuben.
with trembling hopes, just as Miss Beswick, with
her shawl over her head, entered the room.
we was Jest telling about our loss, Reubcn's
loss." said Mrs. Ducklow, in manner which be
traycd no little anxiety ~ concate that terrible
| woman.
very we'll don't let me interrupt And Miss
Bcswick, slipping the shawl from her head. sat
down.
Her presence. stff aud prim and sarcastic. did
not tend in the least to relieve Mr.. Ducklow from
the natural embarrassment he felt in giving his
| version of Rcubens loss. However, assisted Oc-
casionally by judicous remark thrown In BY
Mrs Ducklow, he succeeded in telling q sufficient
ly plausible aud candid.scemng story.
Il see ! I see I! said Reuben, who had listened
with astonshmcnt and pain to the narrative.
You had kinder intentions towards me than
gave you credit for. Forgive INC, ii | wronged
youn lie pressed the hand Of his adopted father.
and thanked him from a heart filled with gratitude
and trouble. but don't feel SO bad about Il
You did what you thought best. can only say,
the fitcs are against me-
'llem : coughing, Miss Beswick stretched up
her long neck aud cleared her throat so them
bonds you had bought for Reuben was in the
house the very night called /"
Yes, Miss Deswick,' replied Mrr. Ducklow
anu that's what made il 80 uncomfortable ~ Us
to have you talk the way you did,
'llem y The neck was stretched up still far
her than before, and the redoubtable throat clear.
ed again. TWAS too bad Ye ought to have
told me. You'd aetooally bought the bonds'-I
bought 'em for Reuben. had yer
'Sartin sartiu = said Ducklow.
TO be sure (! said Mrs. Dueklow:
we designed 'em for his bepeht, surpri O.
when the right time come. said both tSseiher. .
Hem welI' (tt was evident that the B.swick
Was clearing her decks for acton;) When the
right time c,mc! yes That right time wasn't
,cms,bin' indefinite, In the fur futur', Of course
Yer losin' the bonds didn't hurry up yer benevo-
lence the least grain, s'pCse Hem let in them
boys Sophrony