Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-02-28
THE BAG OF GOLD.


"Money is a great trial." said the
widow Peckington, impressively. "I
declare I did not know what care meant
before brother Gabriel died and left
me all the money"
"Well, cousin Clarissa," observed
George Merrilton, who was assiduously
engaged in entangling the widows work
to the very best or the very worst of his
ability, " in case you find yourself un-
equal to the strain, all you have to do
is to leave me the five thousand dollars. "
"The first thing in the morning"
went on Mrs. Peckington; unheeding
Mr.. Merilton's modest hint, "and the
last at night, Tn thinking about it.
First I put it in Deacon Elijah Horton s
bank, and then I draw it out again
banks aren't noways safe nowadays.
And then I buried it in the east cellar,
close to the apple bin, and there came
the deluging rain, and l knowed the
cellar would be three inches deep in
water. So up it come again, and then
I could not rest in my bed for fear of
fire. So I got it changed into gold, and
I guess its safe enough"
"In the bottom of your big red
chest?" mischievously hazarded
George.
"No matter where, sir" said the
widow, nodding her head.
go, but you might tell u.s." persist
ed Merrilton. "We are all your own
folks, Cora and I"
Cora Dallas sat stitching quietly in
the corner-the pretty orphan whom
good Mrs. Peckin gton had taken out of
the orphan asylum /" to bring up" five
years before.
CT don't expect to leave youIuoth-
ing," Mrs. Peckington had said, " for
I've relations of my own, but I'll give
you a good deestrick school education,
and decent bringing up, and a good
chance to do for yourself"
And Cora has accepted the ood
DANES offer with meek gratitude.
She had grown very pretty in the
last few years, this solitary child of
nobody. Dark-eyed, with hair full of
deep chestnut golden shadows, a peach.
blossom skin, where the rosy blood
glowed brightly through on the slight
est provocation, and mouth like Hebe,
it seemed as if nature had made q
solemn compact with herself to atone
for all social Sights that might be cast
across Cora Dallas path.
"Well," said Mrs. Peckington, seri-
ously, "I don't mind telling you, but
mind you don't repeat 1.-THE bag S
hung halfway up the chimney, on an
iron hook"
"But suppose the chimney should
take fire." said Merrilton.
cit won't I keep it we'll swept, and
besides, if it should, it takes pretty
good heat to melt gold"
"Upon my word, cousin Clarissa, "
said Merrilton, "you are a second
Machiavelli."
"Who in pity sake's was he" asked
Mrs. Peckiugton. "There's neighbor
Simkins at the door-jump and let him
in, Cora, for it's beginning to snow
like all possessed"
And neighbor Simkins came ina
broad faced. jovial agrinultnrist, who
lived on the next farm, and was sus-
DtCJ6O Vi uOSlRuo Ou uut
heart of widow Peckington.
"Set by, Mr.. Simkins," said the
widow, Hospitality, putting another
moss-fringed log on the fire; "seems
like we're going to have another spell
of weather"
And while the widow and her middle.
aged lover discussed the weather,
George took occasion to help Cora gel
down half bushel of red apples from
the garret, and was unnecessarily long
about it, too.
CT should think you would bt
ashamed of yourself, George Merrill
ton," said Cora, dimpling and blush
ing, and trying to look very angry, il
which she succeeked but indifferently.
"What for ?" auaaciously demanded
George. "One doesn't get behind tn,
garret door with pretty girl every da,
in the year.
"w6at would Mrs. Peckingto1
say?"
thing herself down stairs with Jehorun
Simkins."
And Cora burst out laughing at tn,
preposterous idea, just as the widow
came in to hustle around after quinc,
jelly and apple butter, and to tell Cor
TO mix up q batch of mullins, for neigh
Dor Simkins was going to stay to tea.
And then Mr.. Simkins took his leav
with roguish twinkle of his eye to
wards the young people, and Mrs
Peckington went over to spend tb
evening with Mrs. Dottleford, her pc
crony, and Cora sat all alone in tn
fre-light, sewing and signing an
thinking. For George Merrilton ha
gone home early to secure Mr.. Simkint
companionship a part of the wa
through the lonely roads which alread
were becoming yelled in snow.
The tall old-fashioned clock in th