The Portland daily press., 1874-11-28

worthy took his hat in the other hand,
crossed his legs over the other way, and went
Oh.
Thinks l to myself, the old thing may as
we'll be out % The way. 1t amt worth a
continental, and it'll burn beautiful. So l
took up my ak and went at it. The fust
blow knocked it clean over and the second
bust it to flinders. Wall now said Caleb,
getting excited. and rising to come and stand
before her, 'Fd used that secretary myself,
ard Pm sure Eve opened every drawer a
thousand times, and, blame me if can tell
where it came from-but, as it flew to pieces,
saw piece of yellow paper fly out and
drop behind barrel. It's some old piece
left in. says to myself, and stove up the
rest OF it, carried it in, and made up lous-
ing fire. But, somehow, couldn't get the
bit of paper off my mind, and finally says,
wall. it won't hurt none 10 see what 1t is, so
out / tramps TO the shed, leans over behind
the barrel, and picks out the paper" Caleb
here drew out yellow package. opened and
spread it out before her.
''Now, Miss Berry. fur as can make out.
this here docyment is an insurance on Ber-
RVS life. | do know as it's with red cent,
but leastways thought d bring it over, and
you can do as you like with it. Mebby it's
good, fur there's payment made the very
day afore he sailed on that last v'yaee.'
Hannah leaned forward excitedly, and
grasped the paper.
''Why, never saw thisw she exclaimed.
''Ben did mean to provide for me then. Why,
its for thousand dollars"
"a thousand dollars!' said Caleb, Sits ten
thousand, and if it's good you're rich wo-
man Mrs. Berry, and will ride over us all
YETI
''Ten thousand dollars" murmured Han
oh ,in EipU baa in no chs faint and sick
YES, but don't faint away. neighbour"
said Caleb suddenly; ''mebby ii amt good"
That brought her to.
'.Sure enough, must see Lawyer Antho-
ny right away and she started up eagerly.
wall, thought mebby you'd want to see
somebody" said Caleb, so 1 brought my
horse along, and I'll take you right over.'
"Thank you! thank your said Hannah,
briskly, 'Tll just get on my things" and she
hurried out Of the room, instinctively hiding
the paper in her pocket as she went.
"Wall." said Caleb, as she shut the
door, "Pve heard say that joy never killed a
body, but she did come rlaggey near faintiDg
away. Jerusalem! what covld l do with a
tainted away woman? Thank goodness Ma
riar don't faint"
The anxious old woman met no one on
her way to her room, where she hurried on a
fadedlold shawl, and wreck of hood, and
in few moments presented herself at the
door again.
"Now am ready" she said.
Caleb Bent came out helped her into his
sleigh, and in another minute they had LETT
the dismal Poor House behind, and were
speeding down the street at the best speed Of
the old bundle of bones which Caleb called
his horse.
Lawyer Anthony was fortunately at home.
and after looking over the document, he de-
clared it to be genuine, and told Mrs. Berry
that she was the undoubted possessor of $40
600.
"But how can 1 get it? '' she asked, bewil-
dered by the good news.
''You must go to the office-Tll go with
you--and present the policy, and go through
certain forms. 1t will be few days, proba.
bly,, before the money will be positively in
your hands, but, meantime, if you want any
funds" he went on politely, 81 can let you
have any reasonable amount. 1 believe"
he hesitated, eff Pm not misinformed, you
reside"
"Yes,'' she SAID firmly; "Mr. Anthony, I
live at present in the poor house; but if this
is true-ohr' and she fairly broke down and
buried her face in her hands.
IL didn't think could ever shed another
tear" she said presently, ''and you must ex-
cuse me, sir; but l have been through very
deep and bitter waters"
81 know" ne said, gently. snake no eX,
cuses. Your case is an unusually hard one,
and has excited much sympathy in the town.
Every one will rejoice to hear of your good
fortune.''
X -
t OF course that policy was good, Or never
should have dragged the misery of thnt most
unhappy mother into your notice. The in
surance company acknowledged it, and agreed
to pay it soon.
Mr.. Anthony invited Hannah to make his
house her home until she could make ar
engagements for herself, and she gratefully ac-
eepted the invitation. And that very even
ing, dressed by the lawyers kind hearted
wife in some of her own clothes, she sat
| down to teas guest.
| Well, how do you think she felt? For my
| part, l leave the painting OF her feeling to
those who delight ia delving into the secret
| places in human teafts. can only tell what
| she did, Aud III begin by saying that she
| did not close her eyes that night. She went
to bed because Mrs. Anthony said she must,
but she cord not shut her eyes, and the
| whole nigh was spent in tossing about and
| planning What she would do.
In the morning she unfolded her settled
| plan to her sympathizing hosts, and it met
their cordial approval. ~
you needn't wait for your money" said
Mr.. Anthony. with suspiciously damp eyes.
sET,I 90 with YOU This yerv day TO carry ont
vour plan. and as I said before I can lend Won
All the money YOU will need,
"Yes.n broke in Mrs. ANTHONY. sand
wan. The whole thing ARRANGED before Tburs.
day. because that is Thanksgiving Day. and
! if Will he a thanI,soivino sure enonph.
$50 il wilj''said Hannah feryentIv. remem.
herring her Conversation with SALLY. sand
INNS, oct ready before that dav-''
ssOf course Won mnt. and In helm Won ;,
sa;d Mrs Anihony heartily
Meantime there Was great commotion in the
Poor House. Not that orr moor old woman
was of anv great value to that important in
stifution. hit that She had disappeared So
mvsterionsIv
Her ahsen 20 was discovered about half an
bonr after she had left, The mistress came
into the kitchen and MISSING her from her
usuai seat. asked lor her. Sally said she had
49, - t,o ntho, ,.oon, sono t;n,o ono -
see some one who asked Tor her.
sr;ff t.She,s oot comnanv. has shei m see
about tho, ,; and started for The door
The rom was em.,tv. and Hannab's knit
tino law on the floor Then the search beoan
Every room and c,rner of the mace was ran.
sacked and nothing discovered except tha,