Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-05-15
After this, still protesting that it was

mss Vcotou uIe, tuuu Durn one OF
his own, he frequently passed his even
ings 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
acipg at a boy, through the boots in
the window, when Glare came to pay
the rent.
stake it away" he said; "let it
stand over"
"Oh, we could not think of thatr'
began the girl. eve were going to
ask if you would not mind portion of
it being left for next"
"Take it awayr' reiterated Jerry,
getting into fury; "I won't .touch q
farthing! I like being creditor-for
can charge interestr
"Bless your generous heart, which
no assumed roughness can hidep ex-
claimed Glare, gratefully, as she hur-
ried from the shop.
"Poor thing-poor thingr he NUT
tered; "she's yet to learn that lovers
vows are easier broken than shoe-strings,
and"
He was interrupted by the shop door
opening. Looking up, he found be-
fore him q tall, well-dressed man, with
a bronzed face and thick beard and
moustache. Jerry started.
pardon my intruding," said the
stranger; :" but can you give me the ad-
dress of Mrs. Weston and her daughter;
| heard they were living somewhere in
this street :"
"No!' said jerry. "What do you
want with 'em?"
"They are friends of NINE"
" Swells such as you don't often, I
should think, have friends in this neigh
borhood."
" In the land come from, friend,
the rank is not the guinea's stamp.
But I'll seek elsewhere.
+" Stay moment; I'll enquire"
Jerry, carefully closing the door be-
hind him, sat down on the stairs and
enjoyed mute chuckle, fearfully apo
pletic in character.
On the landing he repeated it, with
hAoNh tAosCluOut Vi tAo lCR6s uGn u0
entered his dodgers parlor.
Dropping into chair placed ready
for him by the fire, rubbing his knees,
his face one beaming smile, he cried:
"Does any one believe in man? I
don't! Does any one believe in Aus
tralian gold diggers? I don't! Does
any one believe in 10 oyers keeping their
vows? Lor' bless you, 1 don't-not o
syllablep'
Then, turning abruptly to the as
tonished women, he proceeded:
"Look here; I'll give you a riddle.
Supposins certain Australian should
come; suppose he should come to me;
supposing he should come into this
room; how would certain party be-
have? Would she laugh? Would she
faint ?" ,'.-,. .'.:>,s>s
"Oh, mothert' cried Glare, starting
up; ct know what he means. It is
Gilbert!"
eyes, she's rightp exclaimed Jerry,
with caper. "It's Gilbert-Gilbertr
Flying to the door, almost precipi-
tating himself over the balustrade, he
shouted:
3" You Australianl come up! You
nugget of fidelity come herer'
There was the bang of door, o firm,
rapid tread on the stairs, and the beard
ed stranger shot past Jerry into the
room.
"Clare-my poor, poor Clarer he
cried,
Gilbertr' she calculated, rushing
into his arms.
The cobbler, after another caper,
discretely retired to his shop, where he
let off his superfuous excitement by q
charge at the boys in the street.
Gilbert Fernside, rich Australian
cattle owner, proved indeed q nugget
of fidelity.
There was q grand wedding, to
which Jerry was invited, but he an
swered that he was far too wise O man
to make himself uncomfortable. In
stead, he sent the bride pretty gold
bracelet as his wedding gift-a present
affectionately treasured by Glare.
Years after, the young wife, in her
home at the antipodes, received the fol-
lowing characteristic letter.
" My DEAR
While writing this, I am going off.
When you get it, I shall have left. So
this is to say goodbye. Bless you!
l am q kinless old man, and, you know,
miser; but I'm not going to give my
money to you. What would f1 900 be
to. your Australian digger? A drop in
We ocean. Besides you can do with
out it. No; its going to the hospital
for children, to which I have long been
an unknown subscriber. Goodbye!
Bless you-bless you all!
"Your old friend,
JERRY, CoBBLER AND MIsER."
That letter, too, was treasured; and
in the heart of the bright, cheerful
home, in the wealthy land, Jerry, the
Miser," was ever held cheerful mem
ory.
5E Most of the New York stores and
l. L.