Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-04-22

All" cried Clare, gratefully, her face
radiant, as involuntarily she extended
her hand, "you think he may be trues"
He'd be the greatest villain under
the sun If he were not, my dearl" said the
OLD man, cheerily; adding to himself
Poor child--poor child! she, then, has
to learn that lovers vows are easier
broken than shoe-str;ngs, and though,
about as litter
After this, still protesting it was
cheaper for him, as miser, to supply
Mrs. Weston's fire than burn one Of his
own, he frequently passed his evenings
with them He also procured Clare
some shoe binding to do, which, though
hard and difficult work, was something
At the end of the week he was grim.
acing at boy through the boots in the
window when Clare came to pay the
rent
take it away" he said; alet it stand
over"
"Oh, we could not think of thatt' be-
gan the girl. We were going to ask if
you would not mind portion Of it being
left for next"
"Take it awayr' reiterated Jerry, get
ting into q fury; II won't touch q
farthing! like being a creditor-for
can charge interestm
This kindness, after all you have
donep sobbed Clare, her tears falling.
go awayp roared Jerry; I" 1 amt GO
ing to have q scene here-theyll be TAX
ing me up for assault and battery next!
Be of and I'll be up to tea in five min
utes."
"Bless your generous heart, which no
assumed roughness can hide" exclaimed
Clare, gratefully, as she hurried from the
shop.
Sitting down, Jerry bent his head on
the counter, and bright tears trickled
from his eyes into the boot on his lap.
Poor thing poor thingp he MUIR
INJURED; she's yet to learn that vows
are broken easier than shoe-strings,
| and --r
He was interrupted by the shop-door
opening. Looking up he found before
him a tall, well-dressed man, with q
bronzed face and thick beard and mus
tache. Jerry started.
Pardon my intruding," said the
stranger; "but can you give me the ad-
dress of Mrs. Weston and her daughtery
heard they were living somewhere in
this street"
"No!" said Jerry "What do you
want with 'emg"
"They are friends of mine"
"Swells such as you don't often, /
should think, have friends in this neigh
! borhood"
"In the land / came from, friend, the
rank is not the guineas stamp. But I'll
seek elsewhere"
"Stay moment; I'll inquire"
Jerry, carefully closing the door be-
hind him, sat down on the stairs and en-
ioyed a mute chuckle, fearfully apoplec-
tic in character. On the landing he re-
peated it, with much movement of the
| legs. Then he entered his dodgers par
lor.
Dropping into the chair placed ready
for him by the fire, rubbing his knees,
his face one beaming smile, he cried |:
"Does anyone believe in man? don't!
Does anyone believe in Australian gold
in lovers keeping their vows? Lor' bless
you, 1 don't-not syllable" Then,
| turning abruptly to the astonished
women, he proceeded: Look here; I'll
give you a riddle. Suppose a certain
Australian should come to England (;
suppose he should come to me; suppos-
ing he should come into this room, how
would certain party behaves Would
she laugh? Would she faintY"
1 "Oh, motherw cried Clare, starting
up, 81 know what he means. 1t is Gill
bertp
"My dear, reflect" interrupted the
widow, restraining her.
eyes, she's right" exclaimed Jerry,
with caper. Its Gilbert-Gilbertp
Flying TO the door, almost precipitat-
ing himself over the balustrade, he shout
ed: "You Australian, come upl You
nugget of fidelity, come herep
I There was the bang of door, firm,
rapid tread on the stairs, and the beard.
ed stranger shot past Jerry into the
| room.
Clarel-my poor, poor Clarel" he
cried
"Gilbertr' she calculated. rushing into
his arm
The cobbler, after another caper, dis
creetly retired to his shop, and let off his
superhuman excitement by charge at
the boys In the street.
Gilbert Fernside, rich Australian
cattle-owner, proved indeed nugget OF
fidelity. There was grand wedding, TO
which Jerry was asked, but he answered
he was far too wise man to make him
self uncomfortable. Indeed, he sent the
bride pretty gold bracelet rs his wed.
ding gift--a presHt affectionately treas
ured by Clare.
Years after the young wife, in her
home at the antipodes, received the fol-
lowing characteristic letter:
MY DEAR-While writing this I'm going
off When you get 1t, / shall have left. So
this Is to say good .by. Bless you! / AN a
kinless old man, and, you know, miser; but
I'm not going to give my money to you
What would R1,000 be TO your Australian
digger? drop In the ocean. Besides, you
can do without II. No; it's going 10 the hos
pital for children, TO which have long been
an unknown subscriber. Good-by! Bless
| you-bless you all! Your old friend,
JERRY, CoBBLgR AND MIsER.
That letter, too, was treasured; and in
the heart of the bright, cheerful home, in
the wealthy land, Jerry, the Nser," was
ever held In cheerful memory.
A Perseverfng AathOr.