The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-09-08


the kitchen fire.
Why not, mother !? "
"She is too pretty; and she has such |
a naughty, queenly sort ofaway. [ should !
think of asking a lady to scrub the floor
and feed the pigs.
"That's nonsense, mother" said Ed
mund, halfvexed, half-laughing. " She
can't help her face, can she ? 1t is some
of the scraggy-faced, smallpox marked
girls who were so exacting as to the
wages they would receive and the duties
they were to be called upon to perform,
that wouldn't have 'em in the house on
any terms. Judith was the only one who
was willing to come for any sort of work,
and willing to accept moderate wages"
''She'Il suit you" said Mr.. Stedhurst
who had come in while the discussion
was going on. "Take my word for it,
mother, she'll suit you"
Judith Black stayed a month, and
then Mrs. Stedhurst engaged her for
another month.
d" She is neat" said the lady, "and she
is quick to learn, and belieAe her to be
thoroughly trustworthy"
eff only Ned don't fall in love with
her." humorously suggested Mr.. Sted-
hurst.
Why shouldn't he fall in love with
her if he wants ?" said Mrs. Stedhurst,
valiantly.
"My dear, my DEAR" demonstrated
Mr.. Stedhurst, "what do you know
about her p
What do we know about any girl, for
that matter" said Mrs Stedhurst. " She
is certainly very pretty,an very faithful
and very honest"
Honest" put in Mr.. Stedhurst, drily,
because she has had no temptation to
be otherwise.
Now, Phineas, you are too bad, !"
said Mrs. Stedhurst, impatiently. "The
currant Jelly has never been disturbed in
the closet, and I've left the sugar-bowl
twice on the dresser with thirty-three
Jumps of sugar, in it, and thirty-thrce
there were, and / counted 'em, after she
had gone to bed"
Not very great temptations those -
said Mr.. Stedhurst, smiling.
No" said his wife; but straws
show which way the wind blows"
About month subsequently, to this
conversation, Edmund Stedhurst came
to his father.
& Father" said he, Il was twenty
one years old in October"
4" Yes" said Mr.. Stedhurst.
And you were year younger than
that when you were married."
Il believe so, Ned"
"Have you any objection to my taking
a wife ~
None in the world If it proves that
she is the right sort of wife" answered
the old gentleman.
Father l have fallen in love with
Judith Black" confessed Edmund.
".Tust exactly what have feared all
along" said Mr.. Stedhurst, with shrug
of his shoulders.
Why do Guy use the word feared,
father? ?" questioned Edmund.
" Because, my lad, she Is almost q
stranger to u.s."
Father, 1 would stake my life on her
truth and honesty" cried the young
man.
Because you are in love with her, my
son. Edmund, look here. Have you
spoken to her YETI"
Not yet, sir"
VIII you do me favor?''
Edmund smiled little.
, :" That depends upon what it is, faith
err"
VIII you wait week before you ash
her to be your wife? Will you wal
one week without asking any ques
tions %
Ifyou desire it, sir"
At the end of that time l will tel
you what / think upon the matter"
And Mr.. Stedhurst went out.
The next day he brought down al
armful of old coats, vests ETC., from tn
garrett
" Judith" said he, these things ar
getting motheaten. They belonged t
an old uncle of mine, who died ten year
ago-an odd, misery old fellow VIII
boarded everything up, and died in
cellar at last. l want them cut up int
carpet rags
Yes, SIR" answered Judith Black, il
the soft, low voice which was habitual T.
her. And when her days routine @
duty was done she went to work dill
gently with Mrs. Stedhurst's big shears
She was all alone in the kitchen tn
next afternoon just as the clock wa
striking three. And as Judith Blacl
worked she sang softly to herself an oil,
: Scotch ballad, "Bonnie Dundee"
Picking up an old waistcoat of ginger
colored cloth, she Clipped off the but
tons. and mechanically turned the peck
cts inside out to cut them away. Their
was a piece of folded brownish paper il
one of them. Judith took it ont, with
out thinking much of it, and unfolded il
TO her surprise she perceived that i
was a twenty pound note.
In her first establishment she uttere'
little cry, all alone though she was
T And then she remembered what MI
Stedhurst had said about the misery oil,
one who had "hoarded up his little gain
and died in a cellar at last" This
doubtless, was one of the old man
hiding places and he died and made n
sign.
And this precious bit of paper was
not hers by right of discovery?
Her eyes CLEANED and her fingers trem
bled convulsively as they frightened thei
grasp upon it, She needed it so much
She was so poor-so pinched for money
And these Stedhursts, to whom it woulc
naturally revert, were rich and did no
need it! They would never know. No
body would know.
For minute the temptation battleC
| fercely with her better nature. For