Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-05-19

all And you know what a poor lawyer
is. You remember Simmons, the man
who used to board about upon the farm
ers during the summer time Well, he
was what they term poor lawyer. He
hadn't brains enough to make his pro-
fession support him, and was ready tosio
writing or saw wood to help to exc out a
livelihood"
"O Our grandson has brains," tartIy in
terrupted 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 begin
ming"
Having delivered this remark with an
emphasis which left no doubt that he be-
lieved it, he went On;
"Can you take that clock to pieces
(there was an old.fashioned clock stand.
ing IN the corner OF the room) and put
it together again.
I'm no clock maker" replied,
"That is to say" rejoined he, "you
have no mechanical ingenuity. One
need not be a clock,maker to do that.
have done it, and can do it again; and |
am no cIock-maker.'
How unreasonable you are, father
suggested my grandmother.
" He did not appear to notice her re-
mark, but continued:
q" Can you turn a somersault?"
"I never tried replied.
Then you are not as expert as a
clown. For the life of me ! can't see
what good you are going to de in the
world"
"And | can't see" said my dear old
grandmother, "what occasion there will
be for the boy to mend clocks or turn
somersaults. TO hear you talk, one
would think you had nothing 10 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.
II 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 aud by he 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
cess 'ul.
About this time my grandfather was
selling some property in the town where
! was reading law, and it became neces.
sary for him to 60 there to sign some
deeds and receive the money for the
sale. At his request accompanied him.
1t was nearly evening when his busi.
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 married her before my
grandfather died. little dreamed that
ere we arrived home way would be
opened to me. We were going down a
steep hill and It was now quite dark,
when the horse stumbled and fell, and in
an instant a shaft was snapped in twain
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 fullot heecy clouds, but stillit
was light enough to perceive grandfather
drop the package of $4,000 as he stopped
down to free the horse. There it lay at
my feet and he was unconscious OF bis
loss. Another instant ! had picked it
up and was holding it behind me, irreso-
lutte how to act, You will understand
that | didn't mean to steal it, but some
how or other | had an indistinCt idea
that could make the occasion serve my
aims. There was large fiat stone by
the roadside, had trapped a rabbit
there once, and knew there was a 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
doors five minutes ere he discoyerd the
loss of his money, He didn't get angry,
but was fri ghtened, 1t was the first I
time in my life | had witnessed him
"Pve lost my money!" he exclaimed,
rs he drew his hand from his coat pocket. {
Then he slid down, like a helpless child,
into chair and the cold perspiration t
broke out in large drops on his forehead. l
His face became very white. Grand.
mother was standing by his side i
Never mind, sheexclaimed, "grand- i
'on will 90 back and look for it, and
lare say will find it too"
-Four thousand dollars don't lay long t
IN my road, however unfrequented, and {
-he road we Travelled tonight has always t
ome one passing over. No, the money v
Won't be found. Ali me-" and the old i
nan lay back in his chair like one ill.
For an instant my heart reproached 5
ne, and was almost ready TO confess @
ny trick, for my grandfather looked the {
picture of despair D
"Pll go and saddle horse and ride
,ack. I suppose you must have lost it c
When the horse was being freed from the a
larness. IT'S only three miles back and /
he moon is now up. 1t won't take me S
Ong to ride it," e
think I'll go with hyou," replied the d
Id man, n
"Don't think oft" l replied "Trust t.
ne, grandfather; if l can't mend clock Fl
n turn somersault, you will acknowl- t
dge was always good hunter. I'll
,nt Won ANYTHING vnu dara that I'll 70 !,