Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-01-28
THE ONE DOLLAR BILL.

showers, with hesitating intervals.
"a it were, between none of your
mild, persistent pattering on the
root. but regular tempest, wild
deluge, rush of arrowy drops and
q thunder of opening foods
Squire Partlet heard the angry
rattle against the easements and
drew his snug easy-ehair a little
closer to the fire-a great open mass
OF glimmeriDg anthracite-and gag
ed with sort OF sleepy, reflective
satisfaction al the crimson moreen
curtains, and the gray cat fast asleep
on the hearth, and the canary bird
rolled into drowsy bali of red down
on its perch.
This il snug" quoth the squire
81 m glad l had that leaky spot FIX
ed in the barn roof last week. l
don't object to stormy night once
in a while. when fellow is under
cover, and there's nothing particular
to be done. Mary ?"
"Yes," Mrs. Parllet answered.
She was fitting about between
kitchen and sitting-rOom with a
blue check apron tied around her
waist. I'm nearly ready TO come
10 now, Josiah. Now l wander if,
soto voce, "if that was really a
knock at the door, or little rush Of
the wind and the rain 2"
She went to the door, nevertheless;
and minute or two afterward she
went to her husbands chair.
Joe, dear. it's Luke Ruddilove,"
she SAID, half appreheusively. The
squire looked up from his paper.
"Tell him he's made a mistake.
The tavern is on the corner beyond
But he wants to know if you will
lend him a dollar ?"
"Aud couldn't you have told him
no, ithout the preliminary ceremo-
ny cf coming in hear to ask me Is
it likely that | shall lend dollar or
even a cent to Luke Ruddilove :?
Why, | had great deal better
throw it 10 yonder red Goals no
of course no !"
Mrs Partlet hesitated.
HE looked so piuched and cold
and wretched, Josiah. He says
there's nobody in the world to let
him have cent"
"All the better for him, if be did
but know it," sharply enunciated
the Squire. diff had come TO that
pitch half dozen years ago, perhaps
he wouldn't have been he miserable
man no is now"
awe used to go to school together, +"
said Mrs Partlet, gently. He was
the smartest boy in the class"
That's probable enough" said
the SQUIRE. But it don't alter the
fact that he's poor drunken wretch
now. Send him about his business,
Polly, and if his time is of any con-
sequence. just let him know that be
had not better waste il coming here
after dollars"
And the squire leaned back in his
chair after q positive fashion, as if
the whole matter was positively de-
cided.
Mrs. Partlett went back to the
kitchen where Luke Ruddilove was
spreading his poor, thin fingers over
the blaze of FIRE, his tattered gar
ments steaming as If be we're pillar
Of vapor. He won't let you have it
Iuke " said she. Il thought he
wouldn't.
Then I've got to starve, like any
other dog |" said Luke Ruddilove,
turning away modify. "And, after
all. / don't suppose il makes much
difference whether l shuttle out OF
the world to-day, or tomorrow.
"Oh, Luke, not to youI wife Z"
Shed be better off without me"
said Luke, down-heartedIy.
"But she ought not to be-"
"Ought and is are two different
things, Mrs. Partlet. Good night
amt going to the tavern, though
I'll wager something the squire
thought / was"
Aud isn't it natural enough he
should think 40, Luke?
"Yes-yes, Mary. l don't say but
what it is" murmurcd Luke Ruddi'
love. in the same detected tone be
had used throughout the interview
"Slay I" "Mrs. Partlet called to
him, as his hand lay on the door
latch. in a low voice. Here's dol
lar, Luke, Mr.. Partlet gave TO me for
q new piece of oil-cloth in front OF
the dining-room stove, but I'll try
and make the old ono do little
while longer And Luke, for the
sake of old times-for the sake OF
your poor wife, will you try to dc
better RI"
Luke Ruddlove looked vacar tly
at irst AT the fresh new bank bill in
his hand. and then at the blooming
young mstron who placed it there.
Thank you, Mary" be said, and
crept out of the warm, bright kitch-
en-. into the storm ant darkness that
reigned wi bout. Mrs Partlett stood
looking into the kitchen fire.
Il dare say I've done very fool,
ish thing" she pondered but in,
deed | could not help 1t. OF course
he'll spend it all at the public house
and shall do without my oil-cloth
that will be the end of it ALL"
And there was q conscious flush or
her cheek, as if she bad done some.
thing wrong. when she rsjoined the
SQUIRE in the sitting-rcom.
well" said Squire Psrtlett, "ha'
that ne'er.do. we'll gone at last ?"
Yes"
ITO Stokes tavern, I suppose ?"
al hope not, Josiah
"l'm afraid it's past hoping for,
said the squire, Struggling bis shout
ders And now for pleasant ev
eDing, bow it does rain, 10 be sure.
And Mrs. Parilet kept the secret
of the dollar bill within her WI