The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-10-13
WHO TOOK THE MONEY
tsNToNEY is great trial. said the


meant before brother Gabriel died and left
me all the money"
"Well, Cousin Clarissa," observed
George Merrilton, who was assidously en-
gagged in entangling the widows work to
the very best or the very worst of his abili-
ty "in case you find yourself unequal to
the strain, all you have to do is to leave me
the five thousand dollars"
"1'he first thing in the morning" went
on Mrs. Peckington, unheeding Mr.. Mer-
rilton's modest hint, "and the last at
night m thinking about it. First put
it in Deacon Elijah Horizons bank, and
then drew it out again-banks aren't safe
nowadays. And then 1 buried it in the
east cellar, close to the apple bin, and then
came the deluging rain, and then knowed
the cellar would be three inches deep in
water. So up it came again, and then l
could not rest in bed for fear of fire. So
got it changed into gold, and guess it is
safe enough"
:" In the bottom of your big red chest?"
mischieviously hazzarded George.
"No matter where, SIR" said the widow,
nodding her head.
40, but, Cousin Clarissa, you might tell
u.s." persisted Merrilton. {" We are all
your own folks, Cora and l."
Cora Dallas sat stitching quietly in the
corner-the pretty orphan whom good Mrs.
Peckington had taken out of the orphan
asylum "to bring up" five years before.
al don't expect to leave you nothing"
Mrs. Peckington had said, "for I've re-
lations of my own but I'll give you
good district school education, and de-
cent bringing up, and good chance to do
for yourself"
And Cora accepted the good DANES offer
with meek gratitude.
She had grown pretty in the last few
years, this solitary child of nobody. Dark
eyed, with her hair full of deep chestnut
golden shadows, peach-bossom skin,
where the rosy blood glowed brightly
through on the slightest provocation, and
mouth like Hebe, 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, serious
ly, "I don't mind telling you, but mind
you don't repeat 1.-THE bags hang half
way up the chimney on an iron hook"
"But suppose the chimney should take
fire % said Merrilton.
I" 1t won't. keep it well swept, and,
besides, if it should, it takes pretty good
heat to melt gold"
"Upon my word, Cousin Clarissa, said
Meriilton, "you are second Machiavelli."
"Who in pity sakes was he? asked
Mrs. Peckington. "There's neighbor
Simkins at the door jump up and let him
in, Cora, for its beginning to snow like all
possessed"
And neighbor Simkins came ina broad
| faced, iiovial agriculturist who lived on the
farm, and was suspected of matrimonial
designs on the heart of Widow Pecking-
ton.
"Sit 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 widower discussed the weather
George took occasion to help Cora to get
down half bushel of red apples from the
garret, and was unnecessarily long about
it, too.
" should think you would be ashamed
of yourself, George Merrilton," said Cora,
dimpling and blushing and trying to look
very angry, in which she succeeded but in
differently.
What for?" audaciouslY demanded
George. "One doesn't Iget behind a gar
ret door with pretty girl every day in the
year"
What would Mrs PeclSington say"
eel dare say she's doing the very same
thing herself down stairs with Jehorum
Simkins."
And Cora burst out laughing at the pre-
posterous idea, just as the widow came
for ounce jelly and apple butter, and to
tell Cora to mix up a batch of mullins
in the twinkling of an eye, for neighbor
Simkins was going to stay for tea.
After supper Mr.. Simkins took his
leave, with roguish twinkle of his eye
toward the eyoung people, and Mrs. Peck
ington went over to spend the evening with
Mrs. Dorcas Dottleford, her pet crony, and
Cora sat all alone in the frelight sewing
and signing ard thinking. For George
Merrilton had gone home early to secure
Mr. Simkin's companionship part of the