Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-10-28
THE LOST DEEDS.

A parting glance around the Office, to as
sure himself all desks, closets aud iron safes
are properly secured for the night, and the
sOlicitOrs confidential clerk locks up and
prepares for home. With coat buttoned to
the throat, and hat drawn over his eyes,
Marx Edwards turns his steps toward home,
and cheerfully faces the rough wind and
drizzling rain, which numerically pelt and
buffet him, as he vainly halls omnibus after
omnibus toreceive the same eanswer-"fuIl. ~
But Mark makes no trouble of these out
door inconveniencies, for his minds eve is
fixed on the well covered tea-table, bright
FIRE, and best of all, the pretty young wife
awaiting his return. The picture is so
pleasant that lie breaks out in line of
Home, Sweet Home, as he turns the cor
ner Of the street where stands his own little
domicile
Mrs. Edwards is peering into the dark
ness through the folds of the muslin cur
tains, and has the door open before Mark s
hand touches the knocker.
What night for you, love!' says the
little matron, brushing the rain drops from
his bushy whiskers, and kissing him COM
lsssiOnately, ''and how do you come to be
so ate?'
Edward looks up at the clock as he strug-
gles out of his dripping coat. 81 am late,
indeed, he answered; ''but Mr.. Pleadwell
he's started on his trip to the lakes this af-
ternoon,and there were great many things
to attend to before he went. And look
here, Fanny-this package contains some
valuable deeds and securities, which will be
called for by the owner in few days; in the
meanwhile, [ have to copy one of them. but
don't feel inclined to begin tonight.
Where can place them with safety?"
Fanny suggested his desk, but that is the
hrst article a burglar would be likely to
NEEDLE with. Her cheek paled at the idea
Of such 4 visitor, and she considers, That
the old escrltoire in the spare bed room, will
u0t that DO ?"
Mark hesitates. Il had so many iniunc
tons to be careful, and not let them get out
OF my own possession, that | am afraid
even of that"
Fanny reminds him that there is a secret
drawer IN 1T. Don't you remember" she
asks what trouble We had to find it?''
Tia the very place - SO she carries
The candle for him, and the valuable packet
hdePosted in this hidden receptacle. Its
Gulf contents are few highly perfumed let
'ets' tied together with piece of ribbon, to
SLieh Fanny laughing and blushing, confes-
'e' That they are Mark Edwards love effu-
N'as before marriage, carefully preserved
Dear witness against him when he be-
cones old and cross
EeFhaps 1t was a restless night and un-
PeASalt dreams which made the clerk so
uReasy-eyen in the hurry of the next DAVIS
""A-khowing that he had not visited the
e'''ltolF before leaving home that morning.
ascertain with his own eyes the safety of
'-s papers IN his charge. He pooh -poohs
cue !dea away as it presents ITSELF remem-
y'''ns that one key is in his possession, and
,-so'Asr on his wife's house keeping bunch
ou' returns SO often, that it is with a feel
--s ol relief that he hears the signal for
houe.
no" Is 1t his welcome is not such smil-
~s one as 1t usually is? Fannys spirits
sem depressed, and her eyes look as if she
had been crying
Have You had any visitors to day ?'' ask
eiMark. '~'''' ~
IN
eiup. ' "
been here?"
only my brother George" She answer
el 10 a low voice.
Hy brother George is his aversion,
IAe torment and trouble of his wife S
always in difficulties, no sooner res
'1 ron one scrape than rushing headlong
NV NV another Mark had seriously contem-
-.su I'Fbldding his visits Fanny seemed
S' "h2t was passing in his mind, 10y
- 0ohshg softly to his side, and stroking
ir' neither one of them said anything,
. -'I Mark leisurely began preparing for his
!" copying. While he went up stairs
II MS papers, she brought another can
anu enSeonsed herself in corner with
IL IA-IaoIe, regretting as she did so,
-. l' ner poor boy must be bored with
,a,. -, Odioas writing, when he ought to be
However, Mark soon comes down
b.s stairs three at a time, to ask why she
g. nloVed his packet without telling him
" IT. With astonisbment in bar IooIs b;s
r;.G .I uenleS having done so, aud hurries
~ I Iim to the spare bedroom, asserting
" Oeiiei that he has overlooked the parcel.
c,;..e 'hing is out of its place. The old es-
b.s 'lf stands exactly as they left it, the lock
no' been tampered with, nor was the