The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-07-11
Misrellanp.
TREASURE TROvE.

earrings, anu SOIuetuiIlS oScI Aot tuCAci
or whatever you may fancy Come, take you,
choice girl"
Jennie came slowly forward, and rested her
hand on her fathers shoulder she glanced list
lessly over the wares which the pcddler spread
before her.
"Hump! It's not the earrings nor the tucker
that she is worrying about" said the mother.
glancing up sharply from inspecting gay chintz.
ashes taken on about that lad, Frank Duncan,
who, neighbor Burnwell told u.s. is to leave the
day after tomorrow to seek his fortune, as he
says"
"And hope he will find it," said the farmer,
gravely. He's good enough lad and I'd have
nothing to say against him if he d give less time
to books and more to work, so as to make money
enough for a wife to live on. When young Dun
can comes back with at least five hundred dollars
Jennie, I'll think better of him but no daughter
of mine shall marry u penniless man."
As the farmer spoke he was slowly and care
fully untying well-worn wallet which he lad
taken from the upper drawer of an old fashioned
bereau with brass handles, which stood in the
corner of the large kitchen. From good
ly sized bundle of notes he selected one of ten
dollars, which he handed to the peddler.
"Tve no change" he replied to some remarks
made by his wife. They all tens and twenties
one hundred and thirty dollars in ALL he adj
ded, in tone of satisfaction. Jenkins done
turn out well, you shall have something better
than chintz, Hetty, for Christmas-and you, too,
Jennie lass"
The peddlers small black eyes glanced furtive-
ly at the notes as the farmer smoothed them out
upon his knee and replaced them in his wallet
"Here's hundred clear for the bank" he OBJ
served, he tied the wallet with its red string.
I'll take it to Logansville, in a few days. Mean
time, Hetty, put it away i'll the little box"
Mrs. Hatfield placed the wallet carefully in
TIN box and replaced the box in bureau drawer,
which she locked, hanging the key on a nail
which was in the back of the bureau itself
Jennie, having selected her ear rings and
piece of lace for tucker sat down to sew the
latter on the neck of her blue delaine Dress
There was to be a bee that evening at neighbor
Burnwelrs and social dance after and though
in no dancing mood she would go, for she knew
Frank Duncan would be there, and this would
in all probability be their last meeting before he
departed to seek his fortune in the city.
Poor GIRL it was her first sorrow ; and we all
know hew hard is such to the young, with their
helplessness, their inexperience, and their igno-
rance of life. AS she sat on the side of the bed
sewing the lace on the Dress she looked and felt
very sad Much as she loved her parents, she
could not help thinking them cruel and unfeel-
ing in this instance, when they must know how
dearly she loved Frank, and that she could never
be happy without him. He was so clever SC
handsome, so good and they objected to hin,
because he was poor: As if she or Frank either,
minded poverty Oh, if he had only that five
hundred dollars How in the world could Frank
make that enormous sum?
Her mothers voice calling her to supper
aroused her.
With country hospitality the good dame added
some extra dishes to the usual evenings meal,
and she looked little disappointed at the ped
dlers non-appreciation of the good things set be-
fore him. He seemed absent and restless and
declining the protfered nights lodging, said he
"must go to Logansvil]e tonight, in order to
meet friend whom he expected there" So,
after joining in fervent amen to the host after
grace, aud thanking them in pious strain for
their hospitality, he shouldered his pack and re-.
sumed his journey. From the window Jennie
looked istlessly out, saw his tall form disappear
at a bend in the road about mile distant-and
dreamily heard her father remark
~ don't fancy that stranger. He don't look
like genuine peddler-not sharp enough at
bargaining, not interested enough at his business
And then noticed he never looks You right in
the eye-always bad sign"
"Well," observed the thrifty wife, II can't
say l like him the best for easy bargains. He
don't make much profit by 'em though, guess,
judging from that old camlet coat of his, with
its old fashioned long tails tapping about his
heels can remember my grandfather had Just
such another; But Jennie, girl il you are going
to the bee it's high time you were bestirring
yourself. Why it's nigh on to six o'clock al.
ready"
1t was a STILL moonlight summer night. and
Jennie Hatfield walked lingeringly along the
meadow path, homeward from Farmer Burn.
wells. Lingeringly-for her hand was casped
in that of Frank Duncan He was talking to her
earnestly as they passed under the shadows of the
water willows or paused for q moment on the
rustic bridge that spanned the meadow creek.
"Pu do it, Jennie! Here l swear"
ooh, Frank, don't swear!'
'Then promise--yes, here I promise not 70
rest day OF night, till have five hundred dollars
to show to your father
"But how will you get it, Frank 2"
~ don't know yet; but I'll find out a way
only, Jennie DEAR fear it will be long time. y
They walked on silently
II wish l was rich," bursted forth Duncan
passionately. never cared for it before, but /
do now for your sake-andj mine, Jennie. If !
only had one thousand dollars!
"A thousand dollars, Frank"
To her idea, he might as we'll have wished for
the wealth of Monte Christie.
"lts not a large sum, Jennie. Yet five hun.
dred dollars would purchase that nice little
place near the old church which you admire &c
much, and with another five hundred 20 stock i,
and begin with-Oh, Jennie, only think how
happy We could be-"
ITS no use thinking" said the girl, sadly
"And, Frank you are SO given to thinking and
dreaming that'-she looked up with tender
half smile--"rm afraid you'll never set to work
hard enough to make even the five hundred"
I'll try, Jennie Never have fear of that"
They had now reached the bottom Of Farmer
Hatheld's garden, and they paused while, ex.
changing a few last sentences. Then with sad
lingering adeu, they parted.