The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1877-05-25
yours, father, were what was termed cute

at his pipe. "There must be begir
ming"
Having delivered this remark with a.
emphasis which left no doubt that ne be
lieved it, he went on:
"Can you take that clock to piece
(there was an old-fashioned clock stand
ing IN the corner of the room) and pu
It together again T
" I'm no clock-maker," I replied.
"That is to say" re joined he, "yol
have no mechanical ingenuity. On
need not be a clock-maker to do that.
have done it, and can do it again; and
am no clock-maker."
"HOw unreasonable you are, father,
suggested my grandmother.
HE did not appear to notice her re
mark, but continued
"Cah YOU turn o somersaultW
"Inever tried" 1 replied.
"Then you are not as expert as
clown. For the life of me / can't Sc,
what good you are going to dc in the
world"
"And can't see," said my dear ole
grandmother, "what occasion there viii
be for the boy to mend clocks or turf
somersaults. To hear you talk, one
would think you had nothing to leave
him but your advice, and that is not Of
the most encouraging nature"
"a young man should rely on him.
SELF" returned my grandfather. Riches
take wings. I've managed to hold my
property together pretty well, but how
do | know he will do so when you and !
are gone? He'll marry Miss Miller.
What sort of wife will she make him
Smart with her heels, no doubt. Nimble
with her fingers at the old organ, but
those won't serve to keep family from
going headlOng to destruction.
"Sallie Miller is very prudent and
useful girl" replied my grandmother.
"I don't see what you find amiss in her." +"
"Don't you?" he replied. Then he
relapsed into silence, and smoked and
looked into the fire.
By and by ne got up and walked out
of the room, and then my dear old
grandmother took my hand and held it
in her own, and told me not to fret, that
she would bring my grandfather to think
better of my sweetheart.
/ thanked her ever so much, but had
little hope that she would ever be sue
cessftl.
About this time my grandfather was
selling some property in the town where
was reading law, and it became neces-
sary for him to go there to sign some
deeds and receive the money for the
sale. At his request | accompanied him.
1t was nearly evening when his bust
ness was finished, and we set out on our
return home. Four thousand dollars,
the proceeds of the sale, my grandfather
carried in bank notes on his person, as it
was too late to make deposit in bank.
The old gentleman was in good humor.
and talked pleasantly as we drove along.
My mind was full of schemes just at
that time, as to how / was to support
Sallie Miller if l married her before my
grandfather died. little dreamed that
ere we arrived home way weuld be
opened to me. We were going down
steep hill, and it was now quite dark,
when the horse stumbled and fell, and in
an instant shaft was snapped in twain.
l sprang out of the wagon and grand
father quickly followed.
The horse in his fall had become en-.
tangled in the harness, and lay helpless
upon the earth. The moon was just ris-
ing and gave but an uncertain light,
the sky was full of feecy clouds, but stillit |
drop the package of $4,000 as he stopped |
nv feet and he was unconscious of his |
loss. Another instant 1 had picked it |
up and was holding it behind me, irreso-
lutte how to act. You will understand
that l didn't mean to steal it, but some
how or other l had an indistinct idea
that l could make the occasion serve my
aims. There was large fat stone by
the roadside / had trapped a rabbit
there once, and knew there was con-
siderable cavity beneath it. An instant
later the $4,000 were deposited in the
hole.
The shaft being tied up we got on our
way again, but it was midnight ere we
arrived at home.
Grandfather had not been within
loors five minutes ere he discoverd the
oss of his money. He didn't get angry,
put was frightened. 1t was the first
,ime in my life l had witnessed him
alarmed.
I" I've lost my money!" he exclaimed,
IS he drew his hand from his coat pocket.
Then he slid down, like helpless child,
nto a chair and the cold perspiration
,roke out in large drops on his forehead.
His face became very white. Grand
mother was standing by his side.
"Never mind, " she exclaimed, "grand-
on will go back and look for it, and
are say will find it too"
-Four thousand dollars don't lay long
N my road, however unfrequented, and
he road we travelled tonight has always
ONE one passing over. No, the money
Ton't be found. Ahl me" and the old
nan lay back in his chair like one i'll. !
For an instant my heart reprOached
I oil dU n |
ny trick, for my grandfather looked the
icture of despair.
"Pll go and saddle a horse and ride
ack. l suppose you must have lost it .
yhen the horse was being freed from the ;
arness. 'Tis only three miles back and
be moon is now up. 1t won't take me
,ng to ride it. I
q think I'll go with you" replied the
Id man.
"Don't think ofit," 1 replied. "Trust
r turn a somersault, you will acknowl-
ct you anything you dare that I'll re-
over every dollar of your money"
''Do YOU think so P' he asked, grasping l
le by the hand. You must not mind 4
hat said to you, my boy, about being e
pod for nothing. You are my grandson, q
nd my boy heir, too. All have will t
e yours some day" C
" There's one thing you won't agree to 8
It me have" replied.
He waved his hand.
al know what you are going to say" I
3 answered. "Weli, your grandmother h
as been talking to me on the subje
o, along, boy, bring me back t g
lousand dollars, and I'll allow you to l
AIRY Sall1e Miller" "
/ made spring for the door and was "
1rrying to the stable, when the old "
,ntleman followed me. II
Remember my conditions, the four e.
Iousand dollars / lost. Find that for ~
e, and you can marry Sallie Miller, "
I'd I'll provide for you. But if you I"
il to bring me the money, ] say nay.
I'd perhaps for good while to come" q
| Aew along that road as fast as good
,rse flesh could carry me, but felt like
guilty wretch, as knelt down by the
one, and passed my hand beneath it.
CLEAN of happiness crossed my heart
I held the package in my hand.
My first impulse was to hurry home as
st as ] bad hither. But rejecting that n