The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-04-04
THE BAG OF GOLD.

PeckingtOn, imprcsslvcly L declare | di
not know what care meant before brOthc
Gabriel died and left me all the money
Well cousin Clarissa' observed Georg
MerriltOn, who was asduously engaged il
entanging the widows work to the very hes
or very worst of his ability, In case you fin(
yourself unequal to the strain, all you hav,
TO do is to leave me the five thousand dol
lars
The first thing in the morning went OF
Mrs. PeckingtOD unheeding Mr.. Merrilton'
modest hint, and the last at night, I'm think
ing about it-First put it in Deacon Elial
Horizons bank, and then drew it out agair
banks aren't noways safe nowadays. AnC
then buried it in the east cellar, close to tn,
apple bin, and | knew the cellar wout
be three inches deep in water So | rot i
changed into gold, and | guess it's safe
enough
In the bottom of your big red chcst?' mis-
chievOusly questioned George.
No matter where SIR said the widow, nod
ding her head.
o. but you might tell u.s. persisted Merrill,
ton. we are all your own folks, Cora and |.
Dora Dallas sat sewing quietly in the cor.
ner-the pretty orphan, whom good Mrs
Pecklnglon had taken outofan orphan asylum
10 bring up five years before.
i don't expect to leave you nothing Mrs.
Pecklngton had SAID, for have relations of
my own, but I'll give you good district
school education, and decent bringing up,
and good chance to do Tor Yourself
And Cora had accepted the cool danes of.
fer with meek gratitude.
She hau grown very pretty in the last few
years, this solitary child of nobody. Dark
W hatr ftll Of ,I,,
shadows, a peach blossom skin, where the TO.
sy blood glowed brightly through on the
slightest prOvocatiOn, and Il mouth like Iebe.
it seemed as if nature had made solemn
compact with herself to atone for all social
sights that might be cast across Cora Dallas
path.
Well said Mrs. Peckington, seriously. 4
don't mind telling you but mind you don't
repeat 1.-THE bag is hung half way up the
chimney, on IN iron hook
But suppose the chimney should take fire 3
said Merrilton.
1T won't | keep it well swept and be.
sides, it it should, it takes a pretty good heat
TO melt gold
Upon my word, CIarissa said Mcrril;on,
You are second Machiavelli,'
VINO IN PHYS sake was hcg asked Mrs
ieckngton. There's nclghbor Simpkins at
Inc door-lump and let him IN, Cora, for IFS
BEGINNING to snow like all possessed
ana helghbor Simklns came ina broad
raced, Joval agricuturaist, who lived onthe
next Iarm and was suspected of matrimonial
resigns on The heart Of widow PeckIngton.
oet ny, MI Slmpkins,' said the widow. hos
Pl'aDly placing another moss fringed lor on
u.g llei seems like wero going to have an
Other spell of weather
Auu Whlle The widow and her middle aged
ioNeI discussed the weather, George took oc.
oseloh 10 help Cora get down half bushc
Va leu apples from the garnet, and was unncc.
essar!ly long about il. too
should think YOU would be ashamed of
yourself, George Mcrrilton, said Cora, dimp.
Hng ana 0lushing, and trying 10 look very
emily. ""' ii"'i''i
., nat iorE audaciously demanded George.
ohe doesn't get behind the rarret door with
pleuy glrl every dav in the wear
~hat would Mrs Pecbington sayp
u.; uaIc say she's doing the very same
kins' WIN 'choIuhl ollil'
,o anu cora burst out laughing at the prepos.
NIous idea, just as the widow came In 10
TO- r'Hv around alter ounce jelly and apple but.
en- 1O " .cil Cora to mix up batch of muf
t ~ LOT neighbor Simpkins was going to STAY
And and then Mr.. simpkins took leave with
nc6 uish t~lnSie of his eye toward the young
Peopie' and Mrs. Pcckington went over T.
SPehu The evening with Mrs. Dotieford hcl
HeS crony, and Cora sat all alone in the fire
H t:gnt sewing and signing and thinking. Fo,
% c,rn Merrilion had gcac home eariy to Sc
lne way through the lonely roads which al
Eea riy were becoming yelled in a soft snow
The tall old fastened clock in The ami,
inc Ola fashioned kitchen chimney had ius
struck midnight when Cora Dallas W.,
reused from her sleep by a shceied 'i So,m wa =
The ioo' OF her bed-tali aud narrow clad !,
Ehlte-but no ghos, nevertheless br, NJ
Pockington's self ou' 'ii'
What's the ma,ter,' cried Cor, hro.,,
lessly. oreasu
Ny money! gasped the widow ,,.,,;,,
her hand tragically IN the air. "''''
But what of it's
It's stolcn,'
Are you sure. eagerly demanded Cor,
As sure as / am that you're staring 4. n,
now. felt up The chimney for II he IA.