The Osceola times., 1877-05-19

days"
Humph!' returned my grandfather,
clearing his throat. ! didn't like the
ejaculation. often heard it before, and
| regarded it with the same apprehen-
sion that a mariner does an ugly cloud
that rises up to the windward.
Humph" he continued, blowing a
column OF smoke toward the china orna-
ments on the mantelpiece, "what are
you good for ?" He looked squarely at
me as he asked question.
lie evidently expected reply, 20
answered him by saying that as yet |
didn't know.
That's candid, at all events" he re-
piled. "Pve been thinking good deal
about you of late, and it occurred to me
that you might make poor lawyer after
all. And you know what poor lawyer
is. You remember Simmons, the man
who used to board about upon the farm
ers during the summer time Well, he
vas what they term a poor lawyer. He
hadn't brains enough to make his pro-
fession support him, and was ready to do
writing or saw wood to help to exc out a
livelihood"
"Our grandson has brains" tartly in.
terrupted my grandmother. "My side
Of the family contained no fosls, and
yours. father, were what was termed cute
men,"
There's beginning everywhere" /" re-
turned the old man, putting vigorously
at hi. 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 d.fashioned clock stand
ing IN the corner of the rOom) and put
il together againy'
"I'm no clock. maker" ! replied.
"That is to say" rcjoined he, "you
have no mechanical ingenuity. One
need not be clock maker to do that.
have done il, 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:
"Can you turn a sOmersault?'
~ 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- do 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 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 30 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 a very prudent and
useful girl" replied my grandmother;
81 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 no 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, rs IL
was too late to make a 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 weuld be
opened TO me- We were going down a
steep hill, and Il 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 fullof feecy clouds, but still 1t
was light enough to perceive grandfather
drop the package of "a 1000 n, he stopped
down to free the horse. There it lay at
my feet and he was unconscious ot his
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 IL, 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 rabbit
there once, and knew there was con-
siderable cavity beneath il. 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 discoverd the
loss of his money. He didn't get angry,
but was frightened. 1t was the Arst
time in my life ] had witnessed him
alarmed.