Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-11-06
THE ONE DOLLAR BILL.

showers, with hesiiutlug intervals US
II We're between; none OF Your mild
persistent gatherings on the ro"f, but
!, rcSuiar tcn:pSsi, Il wild Ge.u4t, a
l lusi ut arrowy drops, and Il thunder
OF opening clouds!
Squire Partlei heard the angry rat
tie against the cusrnieHi. and drew
his snug easy char Il little closer to
lie tire--a great open inas> of glin-
nerIng anthracite, and gazing with
u sort of sleepy satisfaction ut the
crimson moreen curtains, and the old
gray cat fast asleep upon the hearth,
and the canary bird rolled INTO ball
OF yellow down Oh its perch.
"TlIs Is suug,' quotl the Squire ;
I'm glad had that leaky spot III the
root OF the barn fixed last week. |
ton't object toa stormy night once
in Il while, when body's under
cover, and there's nothing particular
TO be done. Mary ~
"Yes," Mrs. Partlet answered. She
was fitting about between the kitchen
and sitting room; withn blue check
apron tied about her waist. lin
nearly ready to come in now, Josiah.
Now | wonder," soto voice, iii that
was really knock at the door, or
just little rush of wind and ram"
She went to the door. nevertheless
and a minute or two afterwards she
wen. to her husbands chair.
| "Joe, dear, its Luke Ru.idiIovr,"
she sn:" apprchensively. The Squire
nevcr looked up from his paper.
| '1rll INN he's made Il mistake.
Tie tavern is the next corner be-
yond."
But he wants to know if you'll
:eni him dollar said Mrs. Partlct.
| And couldn't you have told hiul
no. without the preliminary rcremo.
ny of coming here to ask me! Is il
likely that l shall lend Il dollar oi
Ven cent to Luke Ruddilovc
Why, had a great deal better throw
= in yundrr rcd GOALS. No-"f course
no y
| Mrs. Par'lct hcsitatcd.
"lle looks so pinched and cold an,
wre,chrd. Josiah. He SAYS there.
nobody in the world TO let him hav,
cent"
The better for him it he'd did but
now it, sharply epumrialed tl,,
squire. lift ha,i come To that piici
would not have been the miserabl.
nlaii that he Is now"
I'VE used to go school together
said Mrs. Partlet gently. 'Hc wa
the smartest boy in the class"
That's possible enough" said th'
Esquire. But it don't alter the fac
that he is a poor, drunken wretcl
now. Send him about his business
Polly. and if his time is uf any conse
qucncc, just let him know That he lin'
hetter not waste it coming here afie
dollars"
And the Squire leaned back Ill hi
chair, after II positive fashion, las it til
matter was definitely decided.
Mrs. Partlet went back to til
kitchen, where RudiilOvc VII
7 spreading his poor thin hands owe
a the blaze OF the fire, his tattrrcsi gal
: ments sieamimy AS though lie was
pillar OF vapor,
:. "He won't let YOU have it, Luke,
size said, II thought he wOuldnt."
= Then I've got to starve like All
/! other dog" said Luke Ru,dilov'
moUdily. "And, theu after all,
don't suppose it makes much ditie
ence whether shuttle out of IL
world to-day or Tomorrow"
"Oh, Luke, not to your wife Z"
"She'd be better off without me
i, said Luke, ,duwE-!ieartcdly.
rt ''Buf she ought not to be-"
"Ought and is are two d,ffrrel
things, Mrs. Partlet. Good night,
=, amt going to the tavern. though L
wager sumething that the Squi
- thought | was."
RI -.And isn't it natural enough
;. should. Lukc?''
= "Yes-yes, Mary, don't say h.
what il is.'' murinurrd Luke Rudd
l. love, in the same detected tone
had used throughout The whole iute
r. view.
"Sfay," Mrs. Parilet said in a 10
'm % voice, rs his hand lay Oh the d."
IS. latch.
,ls Here's a dollar, Luke. Mr.. Pa,
"' lot gave ii to me for new piece
oil-rlotl to put in front of the dinin
room stove; but III try to make II
rld one do little longer. y,
Luke. for the sake of old times-f
the sake of your poor wife. will "
"A .ntieavOr to do batter?"
Luxe Ruddilove looked vacant
tirs, ai the fresl. new bank bill in
!. hand and then at the blooming YOU
> mar II who had placed it there.
"Thank you. Mary" lie said. n
iac crcpt Gul of the warm bright kitch
per info the storm that reisned withn
: Mrs Partiet stood looking inten
- into the kitchen fire.
Z III dare say I'vr done q very fool
- thing" she l,ondered; .'buf intlee,
could not help it. o, course, he "
spend il u at the public house, ai,
shall do without my oil.cloth; q
will br the end of it ALL"
s's And there was II" umcOn.clnns a,
och pn her cheek, ms. II she had d.
y" ."iI,.th,na wrong. when abe rejoii
the Squire IN the sitting room.
>. "Wril," said Squire Pariiet. 81
that ne'rr-d,-3 ell gone ut last?
Yes"
tn Sfokes' tavern. 1 suppose"
Iri. II hope not. JosiRli.'
~ am afraid ii's past hoping IA
said the Squire, struggling his sht
ders .'And now for q plras
~. ssesing. How Il does rain. TO
urc."
ADJ And Mrs. Psrti,t kept thu se.
OF the dollar bill tucked up IN her q
heart.