Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-08-10

fire with the questions they asked.
But IL was jolly, after all. and the b est
Of IL came when Molly and had the par.
lor to ourselves In the afternoon. 1t was
cloudy and cold, so we dropped the cur
tains over the windows and drew the sofa
up to the fire; and Molly nestled In the
corner like little white kitten. and took
out her knitting work, as she called it-a
bundle OF something soft, and white, and
huny that was just an excuse for bewitcll-
Ing me with the twinkle Of her pretty fin
gers. The purple amethyst sparkled in
the frelight, as her hands moved to and
fro; and every now and then she would
look at II 10 sideloDE way, and give me a
sideIong glance that was enough to make
fool OF wiser man than ever pretend
ed to be.
Was | yro,ng to bother nv head about
GEORGE Asriweather an, ~. hnIstrky check
at time iikc thisf NotI. 1t never SO
much as crossed nv mind, and, whether l
had right to Il or not, got my streak of
sunshine that day.
Back at the Office the next morning
with lot of seedy fellows around that
hadn't had any merry Christmas to speak
of, things weren't so sunshiny. Some OF
EN- began to pitch Into me for looking so
jolly.
Hes been having good time some
where, you bet said Ned Simpson. .Leok
at him grinning like \ catamount. Been
to see his girl. | s'pose, and had good
dinner
Lord, how wish had girl to give
me good dinner.' Joe Hoxie put i,.-
Turkey wouldn't 90 round at our house :;
but when fellow owes his landlady three
months board, how's he going to look her
In the eye and tell her he don't relish a
skinny old chicken wing? Just answer
me that now
Who do you thinks going to guess con-
undruns for your growled Higeinson.-
aud go to work.
'iiullol what's up with H.gginsonr said
Joe; and we were all surprised TO see him
SO rough, for he was mild sort OF chap
generally. that didn't interfere with any
body. and let other people do his grumb-
lIg. He was unusually excited this
morning, snapped At every body, aud bang
ed things around In way l never saw
him do before.
What is the matter. old felow?' Joe
asked again. You don't appear To be in =
Christian frame of mind
Which | ain't,' was liigginsons answer.
and which you wouln't be either, II you
hadn't red cent to take home to your wife
and children.
THANK the Lord for the wife aud chill
dren haven't got" " said Joe. piously. As
TO the red cent. We are all Ia the same
boat, you know. What is the use of fret
tingr
We'll. when man thinks he's got a
chance, and sees II snatchcd away from
him by a confoundcd piece of rascality. 1t
Is enough 10 make him cross, aln't il?
had the promise of Any dollars from n man
that got check the OF her day when salar-
les were paid. Twas as sure OF i as could
be. but what do you suppose heard yes
terday? That Meriwea;her wasnt there at
all when his name was called. aud some
scamp or other-nobody knows who-was
good enough To sign tor him and walk OF
with his check
'l- that SOP cried Ned Simpson why.
was thore myself, and heard Meriweath-
cr's name was sung out. What a cheek
the fellow must have had, Are YOU sure
1t ain't mistake, Higginsonr Who told
you about it?'
why, George Meriweather himself lie
ought to know, hadn't he? No such luck
tor me as a mistake
w hats h.' gong to do about 1t? some
body asked.--Is wasn't Jack Stebbins, By
the way.
Dor said Higglnson. despondenty-
Why, what can he do? hunt TOR needle
in a haystack?'
Yes" shouted Joe Hoxie, banging his
big fist on the desk. .Id rummage the
haystack till | found the sneak, coufuund
hiIn. III never let up on a haul like that,
il II was me-
oh, you can talkT said Higginson. fret.
fully. or course George Meriweather
won't let II go without irving, but there
Amt one chance in hundred OF his spot
ting the rascal. No such luck for honest
men
Well, it beats me how he did it, said
Simpson. 'who certified the check for
him -Blacklockr
Hggnson nodded.
TO think OF his sharp eyes being fooled.
Why, l could have sworn that he knew by
sight every signature on the city pay rolls
Come, now, that's expecting a little too
much, aint ity l struck IN. | knew | had
to say something, but il seemed as il my
tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth;
my voice sounded thick and strange 10 INV
own ears; and the skin OF nv head ieit
creepy, al the hairs were standing on end
! put my hand up on the sly 10 smooth
them down, and couldn't help wondering
IL those men around me didu't hear my
heart beat.
'Backlock doesn't often make blum.
der said Joe Hoxie. He's as sharp as u
steel trap: but he put his foot in is this
time, il he did certify that check. The
have to shell out the money
viii her asked Higginson, eagerly,
Then George Meriweather will get it, af-
ter AllY
Yes. and you may come in for your fifty,
old fellow. Hope you will,' said Joe,
good-naturedly; but wouldn't like to be
in that sneak thief's shoes, with Blackjack
after me. He'll find him out in weeks
time, see If he don't.
The Lord grant it" said Higginson, with
such pious unction that everybody roar
ed. Everybody, at least, but Jack Steb-
bins, who cackled outwarhiy as loud as the
rest, but sung s.a... inside, l can tell you.
What u day that was to get through
The story got around, and every man l
met had something to say about it.
heard myself called more hard names than
ever thought l could have listened to,
and not put my fist in. somebody's face
But had 10 grin and agree to it all, and
make out that would be glad to see the
rogue caught. when all the while l was
shaking with fear lest some unlucky
chance should put Blackjack OH the right
scent.
Everybody agreed that he would have
TO refund the money, since it Was he that
let the check pass unquestioned; and L,
fool had never thought Of that. 1t was a
different thug from borrowing George
Meriweather's money for week or two,
and paying back when my own came
along, which was the way the matter look
ed in my eyes. Mr.. Blackjack wouldn't be
likely to see il 50, not by long shot; and
he wasn't the msn TO sit still aud let him
self be robbed for nothiH-. If Joe Hoxie
said Il once that day, he said It at least a
dozen times:
Blackjack will catch that fellow, you
mind whst say. I'll bet on it three TO
One.' a.i!..... .. U4.f.a. 4. t4.t
could have choked him with good
will. a'u 1- . 1
There was no going to see Molly that
night, though We got oA duty earlier than
usual. 1 couldn't face her innocent eyes
with such secret to hide, aud 1 Didn't
want 10 go home. either. There WAS al
ways lot Of gabbling women in the par
lor OF evenings, and my little den In the
third story was cold as barn." Did well
enough to sleep In but Twas not likely TO
sleep any that night. So travelled the
streets till midnight, with nv coat button