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

Iucut goes to carry on tho war, and put down
this cursed Rebellion -
And to pay off tho soldiers put in Reuben.
raising himself on his elbow. Nobody knows
the sullerings of soldiers and soldiers families
on account of the Governments inability tol
pay them Of. lf that subject was felt and un.
dcrstood as some | know feel and understand
it. I'm sure every right.minJed man with tlty
dollars to spare would mako haste to lend It to
Uncle sam. ] tell yc, got little excited on
this subject, coming on in the cars. heard
gentleman complaining of the Government Tor
not paying of its creditors; he didn't say ~
much about the soldiers, but he thought con.
tractors ought to have their claims settled at
once. At tho same time ho said he had had
twenty thousand dollars lying idle for two
months, not knowing what to do withit but had
finally concluded to invest 1t in railroad stock.
Have ye any Government stock?' said his
friend. 'Nota dollars worth, said ho; I'm
afraid of it, Sick us was, | couldn't lie and
hear that. And do you know the reason,
said, 'why Government cannot pay oil its
crcditors? III tell ye.' said |. = 1t is because
it hasn t the money. And 1t hasn't the money
because such men as you, who have your
thousands lying idle, refuse to lend to your
country, because you arc afraid. That's the
extent Of your patriotism: you nrc afraid
What do you think OF us who have gone into
tho war, and been willing to risk everythins,-I
not only our business and our property, but
life and limb? I've ruined myself personally,
said !, lost my property and my health, to be
of service to my country. | don't regret IT,
though should never recover, shall not re.
grct it. I'm u tolerabe patient, philosophical
sort OF fellow; but haven't patience nor phi.
losophy enough to hear such men as yon abuse
tho Government for not doing what it's your
duty to assist in doing
Good for you, Reuben J! exclaimed Mr..
Ducklow, who really felt obliged to the young
soldier for placing the previous days invest
ment in such strong patriotic light. e I've
only done my duty to Gov'ment, let Miss Bes-
wick say what she will,' thought ho) you
wound him up guess. Fact, you state the
case so well, Reuben, believe, If | had any
funds to spare, shouldn't hesitate minute,
but 20 right of and invest in Gov'ment bonds.
'That might be well enough, II you did 1t
from sense of duty, said Ncighbor Ferring.
who was something Of u croaker, and not much
of patriot. But as an investment, twould
be the wust W could make
'Yo think so?' said Mr.. Ducklow, with
quick alarm.
Wv mcut ~
pudiate. This enormous debt never can be
paid. Your interest in gold is a temptation,
Jest now; but that won't be paid much longer,
and then yer bonds won't DO wuth any more'n
so much brown paper.
I'll don't think so,' said Mr.. Duckow.
who nevertheless turned pale,-Fcrring gave
don't believe should be frightened, even IL
had Gov 'ment securities in my hands. wish
had good lot O. them bonds! Don't you,
Jcpworth?'
They're mighty rcsky things to have in tho
house, that's one objection to EN- replied
Jcpworth, thus adding breath to Ducklow's
already kindled alarm.
That's so!' said Ferring, emphatically.
read in the papers almost every day about
somebody's having his cowpon bonds stole
Il should bo moro afraid Of frcs,' observed
Jepworth.
But there's this to be considered in favor of
tires, said Reuben II tho bonds burn up,
they won't have to bc paid. So what is your
loss is the country's gain
But isn't there any-isn't thcrc any reno.
dy - inquired Ducklow, scarce ablo to sit in
his chair.
There's no risk at oil, IL man subscribcs
for registered bonds, said Reuben. They're
like railroad stock. But If you have tho cou-
pons, you must look out for them
why didn't buy registered bonds?' said
Ducklow to himself. Ills chair was becoming
like kcg OF gun. powder with lighted fuse
inserted. The familiar style Of expresson,-
: Your bonds, your lose, you must look out,
used by Ferring and Reuben, was not calcuat.
ed to relieve his embarrassment. lle fancied
that he was suspected Of owning Government
securities. and that thoso careless phrases were
basel upon that surmise. lie could keep his
seat no longer
wall. Reuben must be drivin' home,
s'posc. Left everything at loose ends. was
in such hurry to see ye, and lind out IL there's
anything can do for ye.'
'As ior that, said Reuben, I've got a trunk
over in town which couldn't be brought last
night. fyou will have that sent for, Ill be
obliged toye.'
sSartin sartin!' And Mr.. Ducklow drove
away, greatly to the relief Of Mrs Ducklow,
who, listening to the alarming conversation,
and remembering the bonds under the carpet,
and the matches in the pantry, and Taddy's
propensity to mischief, felt herself (as she Of
terward conlessed) jest ready to n.y.
Mr.. Ducklow had scarcely turned tho corner
of the street, when, looking anxously in the
direction Of bis homestead, he saw column OF
smoke. 1t was directly over the spot where
ho knew his house to be situated. lie guessed
at glance what had happened. The fright
ful catastrophe hc forebOded had beiallen.
Taddy had set the house a.frc.
Them bonds them bonds' he exclaimed,
distractedly. lie did not think SO much OF tho
house: house and furniture were insured; IL
they were burned, tho inconvenience would be
great indeed, and at any other time tho thought
of such un event would have been sufficient
cause for trepidation,-but now his chief, his
only anxiety was tho bonds. They were not
insured. They would be dead loss. And
what added sharpness to his pangs, they would
bo loss which he must keep q secret, as he
had kept their existence a secret loss which
no could not confess, and of which he could
not complain. Had he not just given his
neighbors to understand that he held no such
property? And his wife, was sho not ut that
very moment, if not serving up lilo on the
subject, at least pairing tho truth very thin In.
deed?
"A man would think, observed Ferring,
that Ducklow had some Of them bonds on his
hands, and cot scaret, he took such sudden
start. lie has, hasn't no, Mrs. Ducklow?'
Has what?' said Mrs. Ducklow, pretend
ing ignorence.
'Somc o. them cowpou bonds. ruther
guess he's got so:po.'
You mean Gov'ment bonds? Duekiow so'
some? 'Ta'nt at all likely ho'd spec iatc 10
them, without saying something to ,. me aoou.
il! No, no couldn't have any Without my
knowing It, I'm sure
How demurc, how innocent she looked, ply.
inc her knitting. needles, aud stopping to take
nm A stitch, How little at that moment she
Lpo,, nf Ducklows trouble, aud its terrible