Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-09-12

ing of it. And YOU must promise not to
drink a drop of rum, till | write you re-
gular prescription for it."
Simeon hesltated.-and no wonder
Such an unreasonable thing to askl Who
ever heard the like? As he pondered,
the doctor said Well. Simeon, if you
don't like the terms, can just put down
the " hole six dollars to the old account,
you know. That might suit me better"
But Simeon thought of his wife. He
must tell her, and what would she say
With a strong gulp he swallowed the
terms; and agreed to go on and work for
the doctor another week. We need not
attempt to describe the pleasure of his
wife when three dollars and twelve and q
half cents were taken home to her on that
Saturday evening. Simeon did wish he
could have taken it to the store himself,
to pay something on account" and run
few new items on his bill, and get the
treat with which paying customers
were complimented. But he dared not
speak his thoughts, and Mrs. Sawyer kept
her hold on the money.
The wife had not been idle at home,
while Simeon was busy at the doctors.
The house was vastly frightened up,
''slicked up" Simeon called it. He
thought, all the while, that it was no use.
But it was pleasant anyway. And Mrs.
Sawyer had wonderfully rejuvenated the
family wardrobe. Simeon and his wife;
and the children of Simeon and his wife,
went ont in force to meeting" on the
next day; and "folks did hope" they
were turning over a new leaf. Indeed,
the leaf was already turned.
Another week, very like that just pass
ed over. The only notable circumstance
was that Mrs. Sawyer sent some dough
nuts to the doctors wife, to show that
lady, that if she was good on bake Mrs.
Sawyer was great on q fry. The doctor
smiled when he heard of it.
There's hope If those folks, ma'am,'
he said. BE kind of careful how you
send presents hack. Let all gifts be com
plimentary. It's no use making people
feel that they are pauperS. Pride is a
first rate ionic. Wen set the S .wyers on
their feet, yet. Mrs. Hill"
The next Saturday night brought new
>u prise. "Sineon said the doctor,
there's five hundred dollar mortgage
on that house of yours
Yes" said Slmeon. dolefullv.
"And there's five years back interest. y
Simeon eloomily assented.
Give thirties is hundred and fifty
simple iEterpst-and five hundred is six
hundred and fifty"
A sad nod in answer.
We'll, I've been and traded for that
mortgage and claim. Ill give Won quits
on your doctors bill. Aud I'll take a
new mortgage for the six hundred, and
vou must work ont the fifty dollars back
interest, half cash, you know, and keep
t.e running interest down."
"The lawful suz!" excl,imrd Simeon.
at what seemed to him the hopeless pros
pect.
"Now, Simeon" said DR.. Hill. "i'm
not going To cheat you. And don't pre-
tend TO be over generous. | can't afford
it. | can fnreclo>e, you know. Thai
snug little property of yours will bring ii
Thousand dollars, any way. l'd give it
mys elf. Costs, say hundred. iEcnm-
bran ia on it. six hundred and fifty
Seven hundred and fifty into thousand
once, aud two hundred and fifty over"
Simeon's eyes splrkled. The doctor,
he thought, might toreclose if he liked.
"But," continued the doctor, "there's
Brown has an execution against you for
fiftv, and Jones TOR hundred, and exc
cutions are good against real estate or
personal property either The executions
leave you a hundred" And | reckon
that somebody or other will trustee that
hundred"
Simeon's eyes fell. The doctor knew
his thoughts as if he were in him
"Well, Simeon, what do You say?
You're to keep to the bargain about Santa
Cruz. too. mind"
"Dr. Hill, you're the best friend l ever
found,' said Simeon, rising and taking
the physician by the hand. "lt's bar
gain, and Simeon Sawyer drinks no more
rum, from this day out, forever, and ever,
amen !"
"Till l prescribe it," said the doctor,
smiling.
81 calk'late that don't change the con-
ditions much, said Simeon, with an an
swering smile.