The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-12-24
OLD MONEY-BAGS.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Roger Flint was hard man-hard as
steel.
"This is the way it stands, Mr. Beggs,"
he was saying one day to man in his Of
flee, Ga poor man is no man at all, and a
My motto is, get money. Get it honestly,
if you can. II not-get it, and keep it,"
''And We got it, quavered Mr.. Beggs,
with a..meaning twinkle in his watery eyes.
"Ye got it and kept it, Mr.. Flint. Oh,
your re a sharp one-a reg lar knife-edger,
you are"
'In my younger time" continued Mr..
Flint, with a hard smile at the others
compliments, 81 had some wild notions
about generosity. But 1 soon got over
that folly. L lost money by it. If people
will be poor, let them go to the almshouses.
IL they are too proud to do that, let them
starve and get out of the way. Charity !!
Humbug Why should 1 be robbed for
the sake of set of lazy rascals who are
never satisfied? ?''
Mr.. Beggs expressed his entire approval
of these sentiments by series of inart;cu-
late croaks.
'.Now, there's a fellow continued
Flint, pointing at the shabby clerk, "whom
took out of a charity institution when
boy. fed him, clothed him, and taught
him a good business. But was he CRATE
full? Not he He complained of hard
work, and had vague ideas on the subject
of pocket money. But have crushed all
that nonsense out of him. Haven't /,
Jacob?'
'Eh," said the shabby clerk, starting at
the sound of his harsh voice, bat not turn
ing his head, "Oh, yes, he has crushed
me Oh, certainly! ~ His depressed man.
the truth of his words.
'sNow," said Flint, turning suddenly
upon his friend, and nearly upsetting him
with the shock, "what did you come here
for tonight? Not to be sociable. Not
you. You are up to some game, Simon
Beggs sec it in your face. Perhaps l
know what it is already. Blu. out with it,
anyway"
"What KNOWN 'un you are ~ creak-
ed Beggs, rubbing his lean hands togeth-
er. "What an up and down sticker ~
Beggs shifted uneasiIy in his chair, and
seemed very uncomfortable. "i our daugh
ter is very fine gal," he quavered ''an
uncommon fine gal. She ought to have
a good husband, one as would be very
lovin' and kind to her."
Like yourself, for instance" returned
Mr. Flint, with an ironic smile. "Well,
60 on"
Suppose" continued Beggs, more east
ly than ever, suppose, for arguments
sake, I was to want her for my wife, what
little sum would you feel disposed to give
her?'
The smile left Mr.. Flint's face, and a
grim frown succeeded it.
"Not one cent, sir mot one cent " he
answered, sharply. "Take her as she is,
or let her alone. I'm in no hurry to part
with her. She earns her own living and
more, and is a good daughter to me be-
Sides"
Mr.. Beggs shrunk into his shrunken
self at the others vehemence, rubbed his
head feebly, and groaned. Then, if such
a dingy old scaTecrow could be said to do
so, he frightened up and croaked f: ooh,
she earns her own livin', do she? And
more Not as l would expect her to do
that after we was married. Oh, no! And
more! See here, Mr.. Flint, III take her if
she's willin'.''
Mr.. Flint's face expressed considerable
satisfaction as he answered:
''Sbe will be willing. She will do
whatever think is best for her. Jacob,
60 call jessie"
The clerk, who had been rattling the
papers on his desk in strange, nervous
way, got hastily OF his stool and left the
room.