The workingman's advocate., 1870-04-30


selves, be saw that Mr.. Todd was blushin,
scarlet, doubtless at the recollection Of th'
scene that had takeB place the day before
Ye medina be ashamed, Andrew,
said the deacon, cat the conduct Of Mrs
Jean Todd. Ye werena to blame-I assOil
zie ye. Think nae mair OF. You caI
just sign a fresh bill. I'll buy the staml
round the corner at Dickson's, and we car
draw it out here"
I" beg yer pardon" replied Andrew
p" maunna get inte that scrape again. III
never resist the authority O Mrs. Jear
Todd mair on earth. To her ' owe my
boxmastership-my trade-my status-my
health-my happiness-and a that's wOrtl
Twin for in this evil warld; she viii
never hae it to say again, lat I'm nj
grateful for the care she taks O. me, and th'
love she bears to me. Let the warld say
if they like, that ! am benpecked-l dinna
care"
"Weel, weel." replied the deacon we
are speakin O. bills. Are ye quite sure
that yc haena allowed the days o grace in
TemPleton's bill to expire? There's in
dorsers there and if it is as / suspect, ye'vs
lost recourse, and may be liable for the
debt"
3" Mercy on rs :" cried the terrified
Andrew. It's impossible. Dinna say't.
Let me count" Using his 6ngers).
Count, deacon-count, man."
think we had better see the bill
itsel,' cried the deacon. Where's the
keyw
Here it il" replied the simple bOxmas-
ter, taking it out
Give it to me" said the deacon, taking
it out Of Andrews hand "we'll sune see il
the bills past due"
Waldie hurried out of the room, telling
Andrew, as be went out, that be would
come back, and inform him how the fact
Stood The mind Of the boxmastcr was now
too much occupied about the danger Of
having allowed the days Of grace to pass
without intimation to the indorsers on the
bill, to have any space left for doubling the
honesty Of the deacon. The suspicion Of
having been cajoled never approached
him he sat and slipped the liquor that lay
before him, occupied all the time in brown
study, with the thought continually rising
-" What will Mrs. Jean Todd say to NV
stupidity, in making myself responsible for
for the amount Of Templeton's bill 1t
will ruin me and O. her care and prudence
will in an instant be scattered to the winds I"
BE still sat, expecting the deacon 10 return
with the required information. HalEan-
hour passed, and no deacon came but a
messenger came With note, stating that all
was quite safe, and that, rs something had
occurred to prevent the writer from return
ing to the tavern, be had sent that intelli-
genee, to ease bis mind, and that be would
return the key in the course of the day.
Andrews mind was relieved by this state
ment be paid the tavern-keeper for the
liquor, and went away, to resume his ordi-
nory occupations.
At dinner-time he went home and, dur
ing the meal he began talking again about
Deacon Waldie.
"After a, said be, " he is guid cratur,
the deacon After the usage be got here
last NIGHT. wha could hae tbocht he wad hac
taen oDy interest in my affairs Y
" Ne dinua require an assistant" replied
Mrs. Jean Todd, : sac lang as lIve.'
That's true replied Andrew but
the deacon hss dune for me what ye couldna
hae dune"
What is that - inquired the wife.
% I1o oDpriSaJ mo a, Tho 1nnOow I zkao1
in" replied the boxmastcr, anent Tenn
ple;on bill. that's 10 the corporation box
| had forgotten the date o its hecomin due,
and be brocht it to my mind. AS safe yet :"
The very word " bill'' made Mrs. Todd
prick up her ears.
Il hae lang thocht," replied she. " that
yer corporation papers, at least yer bills,
which require greater care than the rest,
should be placed here, under my protection.
The circumstances that has occur ID this
day proves that am richt Let us ava to
the hall this instant, and bring hame a. the
papers that are valuable, and for which YOU
may be responsible. Is the key on the
hook p
No but Pm on the book" muttered
Andrew to himself, as be began for the first
time to suspect he had been duped. "No,"
said he aloud.
Give it to me, then," said she. "It
will he in yer pocket, dootless.''
Andrew began to exhibit symptoms Of
fear, which were in an instant under
stood by the quick-eyed dame, who was &C.
customed to look for Indications of that
kind. She saw that something was wrong.
He remained silent, and his agitation in
creased as she fixed upon him her piercing,
relentless eye.
TO BE CONTINUED.