The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-10-27
OLD ABEL's MILESTONE.

Understand me, Abel; both my
father and myself are perfectly satisfied
vita the amount already paid"
"Many thanks TO you, sir, for the
sayin. Of il; but nothing short of the
full sum viii satisfy me. AT the time
eight years ago next midsummer) il
was reckoned at a hundred and fifty
pounds in round numbers. mean TO
pay Il every farthing, please heaven
live long enough. Ii die afore, hope
Polly III keep up the payment regular. ="
But. really, Abel, don't like TAX
ing this money. | am sure these pay
men,s must cripple YOU terribly"
Never you mind that, Mr.. Baker,
junior. | feel something on my con-
science which is worse tnan hunger or
cold, and il wont be easy until I've
paid You all. There's five pound ten,
sir; not so much as last half year, be-
cause of Polly's illness in the spring
out ! hope TO make il more next time.
II yen enter the sum in this book and
add il up, you'll find it makes ninety
pound"
Ninety pounds exactly. Well, il
you insist on my taking the money, /
suppose must. Is your daughter mar
ried Yet, Webb?n
Mot yet, sir"
Likely 10 be?"
"Nell, I'm afraid it's higher than
ike
What, YOU di.approve of her
choiceP"
"Oh, no, not a bit. Tom Smiths as
good a fellow as ever lived. He'll get
on, that boy will. He's sober, honest
and manly; and thatll tell in the long
run. But ia rather she hadn't any
body after ber-leastways until the
debts squared 'twiNt you and me-"
"A debt that, as YOU know, we al
ready consider discharged"
"But which | don't, Mr.. Baker,
junior. However, I'm a-keeping you.
Goodnight, sir; and many thanks for
your kindness"
With that Abel Webb retreats, hat in
hand: and bOwiny 10 Baker, Junior,
with every backward step he takes,
finds himself by and by at the half-glass
door opening to the outer office. Ar
rived here, lie once more thanks the
young partner of lax II 4 Baker,
wholesale druggists Of Ipecacuanha-
lane, Aldermaubury, and a; last
energies into the crowded thorough
fare.
Generally speaking, Abel can not be
considered q good walker, neither does
he ordinarily whistle stirring national
melodies IS he elbows his way through
he teeming streets. Yet whenever be
pays his half yearly visits TO Baker.
junior, be seems 10 become imbued
with fresh life. fresh hope, and increas-
ed strength. The patient old man re-
cognizes the change himself, and Joy
fully feels that the milestone Of debt,
which has for 50 many years hung about
his neck, is less heavy than before.
Away from the close thOroughfares
Of the city on TO the Thames embank-
ment. His walk has been long and ia
tiguing, and resting his arms upon the
stone balustrade, he pauses for a few
moments with his eyes fixed upon the
dark. silent-hOwing river. "a hundred
and fifty pounds be murmurs as he
p -oOks out upon the sweep of waters be-
fore him-"a lot of money, a lot Of
money Easily squandered, but how
difficult 10 save A fortune TO men ike
H0R- Al'htrA attA htDUs the DOl-
,lsed TO call me at school; honest Abel
Webb, have been TO NV employers.
and honest Abel Webb, III try to be 10
che end of my days"
The changing tones Of "Big Benz
woke Abel Webb from his reverie.
With the sudden thought that his
daughter Polly would be home before
him if he didn't make great haste, he
set of at brisk trot, resuming his
CHEEKY whistle as be west along.
And, sure enough, home she was.
How coy the little place looked II
was pattern Of neatness and domestic
comfort. The table was laid for sup
per, nice crisp loaf being fanked by
apiece Of cheese (placed upon a small
plate IN order 10 make il look more
than II really was), and, yesl really
gigantic cucumber. Polly, who was
kneeiing before the fire, vigorously APP
plying the bellows and melting the Goals
% a perfect fury Of flame, had not
lighted a candle, and certainly none
vas wanted.
"Nhy, you're rather late, father,
ANT yOu'" inquired the girl, Swinging
20 her feet, and giving old Abel such a
sounding kiss that il might almost have
been heard on the pavement outside, II