Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-04-22

Glare, dear, you had better success to-
day?"
The girl dropped on a chair, and, burying
her face on the coverlet, commenced weep
ing
''lts the same old, old story; can get moth
ing. What shall We do? l feel heart
brOken.'
"Clare, Clare, my child" calculated the
mother, fondly embracing her, ''do not you
give way! What, indeed, will become of us
then? My brave, brave girl, do not weep
thus!'
''Pray let me, mother; shall be better af-
ter it."
She, apparently, was right, for at the end
of few moments she looked up calmer; her
tears ceased.
'.There," she smiled, "rm better now. It's
good to give way at times, you know. At
least one can't help ii, and our lot is 80 hard
but we shall get used to it."
''Hard! 1t breaks my heart to contemplate
it when think Of you. Clare. What a diff
ferent future did and your father intend
you, love But who could imagine such
villain as John Burgc ever existed"
"Ah, me-at, me! to look around at this
place, and remember the pleasant home
which once was ours! Now, we are alone,
without single friend in the world
''Not one? Oh, yes, mother, believe me,
one!" cried the girl quickly. ''He, Gilbert,
will be true-trust me, he will"
why then, Clare has he not written2"
Il do not know-I cannot TELL" exclaimed
the daughter, piteously; ''but, ON, pray, pray,
mother, do not take that hope from nae. Let
me believe in Gilbert. 1t is my onlysupport
in this bitter misery?'
The widow, touched with pleading coun-
tenance, was about to reply, when. interrupt
ing herself, she said, "Cale, | hear some one
in the parlor See who it is, dear"
The girl obeyed, and started at the weird
scene She behed.
Seated before the crate, on Il three legged
stool, was the cObbler, yet III leathern apron
and cap. On his knees was bellows, which
lie was working with consumlnate skill, evil
IDENTIFY master OF the art, sending the Goals
into bright blaZes that threw flashes of lurid
color over the quaint figure and the room.
Upon hearing Glare, he turned, almost with
a snarl.
.sHow do you expect to boil saucepan
with such a fire Us this, f" he growled. ''Never
w;,s halter as mad as you, I'm certain. Now,
look ut that; amt it a picture?"
Clare did look, and saw that not only were
the coais increased, but that they were not
from their own store.
1T is quite cheering" she managed to say;
but-but fear, Mr.. Crayshaw, you have
been robbing yourself"
''Robbing myself ?-me?-not bit. In
a miser. Didn't you hear the boys Call me
so-Jerry, the miser?" he snapped. I'D
rob anybody sooner than myself. I'm miser
and Im proud of it, Some men are called
painter and poet. Well, I'm called cobbler
and miser."
"iaealy," said Glare, a little amused, lit
tie frightened, looking ut the glowing Goals;
Il should have scarcely thought So.
s'That shows your ignorance, responded
Jerry. "Can't you see, by calculation, it's
cheaper to keep up one good fire than two
small ones SO I'm going to sit by yours.
Also, clubbing two persons tea together is
cheaper than taking it alone. It makes only
one for the pot necessary. You peiceive
now, I'm miser. | want to have my tea
here
Glare looked at the table; upon it was a
new loaf, fresh butter, eggs and neat pack
age Of tea.
'sAre you going to refuse?' he snapped.
''Maynt have tea?"
s.How could retusc---' she began, when
nc interrupted Wy
''Then don't lose time. See to the kettle.
III boil the eggs"
Similar behavior from some people might
have given offense, but there was such
Quaint, odd way about Jerry that robbed it OF
that power. He was 50 oh, and snapped and
snarled as If really his suggestion was the
result of dcep-rooted m@pness, instead Of
the contrary. Mrs. Weston did make some
~l..,,,,. l,,,% Iorrv clnt her I'M ut once.
IL see. She's frightened at your taaSssg
tea with such fascinating young fellow as
am," he said, "Leave the door alar, then the
old lady can take squint IS US now anu then,
and Join the talk. I'm Wild young sprig, l
confess"
Clare could not refrain from bursting Into
merry peal OF laughter. 'Jerry's gray eyes
twinkled with delight undsr'his shaggy brows
as he looked up ut her. ,.
Well. the two bustlea 'abdat, the cobbler
certainly the briskest, untl, .inally, they were
seated at very comferssble tea. During the
meal. Mrs. Weston deemed it right to inform
their new friend of somahing of their his
tory.
In her husbands lifetime, they had been
well-to-do. At his death, they yet could have
lived comfortably, ad not a Mr.. John Burge
suddenly brought heavy claims on the dead
mans property.
81 never quite understood what 1t was-l
only know he must have been paid, said the
widow, doaorously. ''But we hadn't some
papers We ought to have had to prove 1t. 80
he took from us every penny, and 'eft us as
you nov see!"
"A corfounded villain!' exclaimed Jerry,
cracking his egg with the bowl OF spoon. as
| If it had been Mr.. John Burgess bald head ne
had got under it.
ssThen all our friends deserted us"
Except one: broke in Clare. with height
ened color, which wss not unnoticed by the
ctbh|er.