The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-04-01
The Bag Of Gold.

The Bag OF Gold.
"Money is great trial." said the
widow Peckington, impressively.
II declare l did not know what care
meant before brother Gabriel died
and left me all the money"
"Well, cousin Clarissa,' observed
George Merrilton, who was assidu-
ously engaged in entangling the
widows work to the very best or
the very worst of his ability, Gin
case you tind yourself unequal 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, unheed-
ing Mr.. Merilton's modest hint;
sand the last thing at night, I'm
thinking about it. First l put it in
Deacon Elijah Horizons bank, and
then 1 drew it out again-banks
aren't noways safe nowadays. And
tnen Hurried it in the east cellar,
close to the apple bin, and there
came the deluging rain, and I
knowel 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
1 gotit changed into gold, and [
guess it's safe enough
'In the bottom Of your big red
chest? mischievously hazarded
George.
No matter where, SIR said the
widow, nodding her head.
%, but you might tell u.s. per-
sisted Merrilton. we are all your
own folks, Cora and T.
Cora Dallas sat stitching quietly
in the corncr-the pretty orphan
whom good Mrs. Peckington had
taken out of the orphan asylum to
bring up five years before.
i don't expect to leave you moth
ing Mrs. Peckington had said, 'for
I've relations of my own, but I'll
give you good deestrick school
education, and a decent bring up,
and a good chance to do for your
self
And Cora had accepted the old
DANES offer with meek gratitude.
She had grown very pretty in the
last few years, this solitary chill 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 slightest provocation, and a
mouth like Hebe, it seemed as II
nature had made solemn compact
with herself to atone for all social
Sights that might be cast across
Cora Dallas path.
Well,' said Mrs. Pcckington, Sc
riously, 4 don't mind telling you,
but mind you don't repeat it-the
bags hung halfway up the CHM
ney, on an iron hook
but suppose the chimney should
take fire, said Merrilton.
1T won't. I keep it we'll swept,
and besides, if it should, it takes a
pretty good heat to melt gold.s. .
Upon my word, cousin Clarissa,'
said Merrilton, you are a second
MachiavelIi.'
who in pity sake's was he !?
asked Mrs.: Peckington. There's
neighbor Simkins at the door,
Jump and let him in, Cora, for it's
beginning to snow like all possess
ed.
And neighbor Simkins came in
a broad d-faced, jovial agriculturist,
who lived or the next farm, and
was suspected of matrimonial de-
signs on the heart Of widow Peck
ington.
Set by, Mr.. Simkins,' said the
widow, Hospitality, putting another
moss-tringed log Oh 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 get down half bushel
Ct red apples from the garret, and
was unnecessarily long about it,
too
i should think you would be
ashamed of yourself, George Mer,
rilton,' said Cora, dimpling and
blushing, and trying to look very
angry, il which she succeeded but
indiferently,
what for?' audaciously demand
ed George. 'One doesn't get be-
hind the garret door with pretty
girl every day in the year. i
sWhat would Mrs. Peckipgton
say?'
Il dare say she's doing the very
same thing herself down stairs with
Jehorum Simkins.'
And Cora burst out laughing at