Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-03

if had fallen there. Then 1 went to

if it had fallen there. Then went to
bed.
.sThis shall be the test, - said 1, within
myself. "Aunt Priscilla thinks Annie
I is perfect. If she is, she'll bring that
[ money to me tomorrow. If not"
! Somehow l did not quite like to think
/ what would happen il the ten dollar bill
was not returned to me so l turned over
/ on my pillow and went to sleep
The next morning, when l came down
stairs, as usual, / could see, at the first
! glance, that the bill was gone.
s'GOOd - quOth 1 to myself. ''She II
/ bring it to me presently"
But breakfast-time came, and Annie
/ took her place behind the britannia cof-
{ fee-pOt, without the least allusion to my
/ money.
The morning wore away and still she
went about her work, singing softly, IN
/ her ordinary fashion, and my heart grew
/ as heavy as lead within my bosom.
81 would rather have lost twice the
money, out and out, said to myself,
''sOoner than be compelled to believe that
girl thisfi''
Still said nothing.
''Pn give her until Tomorrow"
thought /.
But to.morsow cams, and stIll Aliee
ff,sssErs- = lIlf'ssl 70 tli5 lftt- -
"Annie, - said quietly at sunset of the
Z
wo weeks. We paid our last ,trl eight
dollars month. Here are Cur dollars.
think we had better part"
Annie started as il some one had struck
her blow, and grew white as death.
''But, sir she gasped, ''don't l give
satisfaction?''
shook my head.
'sBut, please, sir, tell NE how 1 have
Offcndedi'' pleaded poor Annie. Miss
Priscilla seemed pleased with me- and"
81 prefer not to have any words upon
the subject, Annie,' l cOldly interrupts
ed.
''But, at least, [ may stay until Miss
rFiSSlla %bat Fst%Ia' womld Be the good Of that,
demanded, sharply. mol Get your hat
and go at onceW
s'Will you not tell me why?'
mo, will nOt!''
spoke somewhat brusquely-for, to
tell the truth, l was beginning to be out
of all patience with her show Of ignOr-
ance and artlessness.
She turned away, with quivering lip
and silent, appealing eyes, that went to
my very heart.
When aunt Priscilla came home, Annie
was gone.
sI'm sorry, aunt Priscilla p said l,
''but you'll have to look out for another
girl.''
Another girlI' echoed aunt Priscilla.
"Why, where's Annie?'
''Gone.''
"Annie gone !-and whyl"
''She has stolen ten dollar bill. left
it there, behind the clock case, en- Tues
day evening, as test oi her honesty.
On Wednesday morning it was gone"
''Of course it was gone" breathloSsiy
interrupted aunt Priscilla, untying her
bonnet strings, and using the bonnet it.
self as a sort of impromptu fan, - OF course
it was gone, for took it myself!'
''You, aunt Priscilla?''
''Why, of course l did. | wanted to
teach you lesson, for what | supposed
was your carelessness. I'll jnst hide the
bill, says l to myself, 'and let him think
he's lost it, Here it is now"
And amt Priscilla, diving into the
depths of her pocket, fished out tho idcn
ticsl ten dollar bill.
/ started first at her and then az IL.
''Well," /" said l, in aecents of calm de-
liberation, ''I have discharged Annie for
stealing that bill"
Aunt Priscilla began to cry.
''POOr dear Anniei" sObbed she; land
| had grown so fond of her"
glanced at my watch. Barely half an
hour had elapsed since Annie White had
gone. There was but one road she could
have taken. 1 believed it was possible to
Overtake her, and strobe away as if were
on a first-class pedestrian match.
Yes, that was she, in the shadows Of
the purpling dusk, sitting on 4 fallen |
tree-trunk on the roadside, her head in
her hands, her bonnet lying on the grass
beside her. atst
@Annie -
She started mp with a low cry of sur
prise. -
Come back ms, Annie. Forgive US !
We have misjudged you cruelty.
And then told her ali, and asked her
pardon. ~
Need | say, that Annie White came 4
back to as? Or is Unnecessary TO add that /
she became my dear and cherished wife /
at Christmas tide? / think not, for life |
is full of such strange, sweet romances. /