Smyrna times., 1877-11-21
answered him by saying that as yet didn't

g.
You remember Simmons, the man who
used to board about upon the farmers
curing the summer time? Well, he was
what they term poor lawyer. He hadn't
Drains enough to make his profession sup.
port him, and was ready to do writing
or saw wood to help to eke out liveli-
hood"
" Our grandson has brains," tartly inter.
rupted my grandmother. MY side of the
family contained no fools, and yours, father.
were what was termed cute men"
There's beginning everywhere" re-
turned the old man. putting vigorously at
his pipe. There must be a beginning"
Having delivered this remark with an
emphasis which left no doubt that he
believed it, he went on:
"Can you take that clock to pieces
lthere was an old fashioned clock standing
i'll the corner of the room) and put it
| together again p
I'm no clock maker" replied.
That Is to say" rejoined he, "you have
no mecanical ingenuity. One need not be
a clock maker to do that. have done it.
and can Go it again; and | am no clock.
maker"
How unreasonable you are, father"
suggested my grandmother.
lie did not appear to notice her remark,
but continued:
Can you turn a somersault?"
I" never tried" replied.
Then your are not as expert as a clown. |
For the life of me can't see what good YOU
are going to do in the world"
"And l can't see," said nv dear old |
grandmother, "what occasion there will be |
Tor the boy to mend clocks or turn somer- |
saults. To hear you talk, one would think |
you had nothing to leave him but your adj |
wee, and that is not of the most encourag.
ing nature"
"A young man should rely upon him.
self" returned my grandfather Riches
take wings. I've managed to hold NV
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 a family from going head
long to destruction"
Sallie Miller is a very prudent and
useful girl" replied my grandmother. 81
don't see what you find amss in her."
:" Don't your" he returned. Then he
reiapsed into silence, and smoked and
looked into the fire.
By-and-by he got up and walked out of
the room, and then my dear old grand.
mother 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 be successful.
About this time my grandfather was sci.
ling some property in the town where was
reading law, and it became necessary for
him to go there to sign some deeds and re-
celVe the money for the sale At his re.
quest accompanied him.
twas nearly evening when the business
was finished, and we set out on our return ,
home. Four thousand dollars, the pro- ,
ceeds 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 humcr, and talked ,
pleasantly as we drove along Nv mind 6
was full OF schemes just at that time as to !
how was to support Sallie Miller if mar. J
rled her before my grandfather died. G
little dreamed that ere we arrived home n :
way would be opened to me- We were !
going down a steep hill, and it was now !
quite dark, when the horse stumbled and
Tell, and in an instant a shaft was snapped /
in twain. | sprang out of the wagon and n
grandfather quickly followed. r
The horse in his fall had become en-. q
tangled in the harness, and lay helpless C
lpon the earth. The moon was Just rising. C
md gave but an uncertain light for the b
Ky was full of iieecy clouds, but still il was ii
lght enough to perceive grandfather drop &
ne package OF four thousand dollars as he {;
stopped down to free the horse. There IL Fl
ay at my feet and he was unconscious of +,
lis loss. Another instant had picked il n
Up and was hiding it behind me, irresolute il
low to act You will understand that n
ildn't mean to steal it, but somehow or W
'ther had an indistinct idea that | could st
make the occasion subserve my aims. tc
mere was large Hat stone by the roadside. Of
had trapped a rabbit there once. and oil
'new there was a considerable cavity ia
'eneath it. An instant later, and the four OF
housand dollars were deposited in the W
lole. h,
The shaft tied up, we got on our wav Il
gain, but it was midnight ere we arrived AT
lOme.
Grandfather had not been within doors II
i've minutes ere he discovered the loss of w
lis money. He didn't get angry, but he re
vas frightened. 1t was the first time in INV m
lfe had witnessed him alarmed. r
I've lost my morey," he exclaimed. rs he ~,
rev his hand from his pocket. Then he n
lid down, like helpless child into n
naIr, ana the cold preparation broke out an
n large drops on his forehead. His face o,
ecame very white. Grandmother was r.
landing by his side. 90
For an instant my heart reproached me, or
nd | was almost ready to confess my trick. te
'r my grandfather looked the picture of n
espair. or
"rll go and saddle horse and ride gr
ack. | suppose you must have lost it te
hen the horse was being freed from the he
arness. 'Tis only three miles back, and pr
ne moon is now up. 1t won't take me til
ing to ride it," Bl
81 think I'll go with ycu," replied the wi
Id man. NJ
" Don't think Of it," replied. "Trust su
lie, grandfather; if can't mend clock or IN
irn a somersault, you will acknowledge. | tn
as always a good hunter. I'll bet you lei
nything you have that I'll recover eyery
ollar of your money"
"Do you think SO % he asked, grasping tn
e by the hand. I" You must not mind Sii
hat said TO you, my boy, about being RI
BOD for nothing. You are my grandson, Ju
Il 80. A H.. 4 |