The Russellville Democrat., 1877-05-24

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 "That puts me in mind," continued my grandfather, "of asking you how you are coming on with your piano. playing friend"
 T scarcely see her, except on Sun days"
 Humph" returned my grandfather, clearing his throat. I didn't like the ejaculation. I often heard it before, ,and I 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.
 He evidently expected reply, SO 1 answered him by saying that. as yet l 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 CTS during the summer time? We'll, he was 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 eke out a livelihood"
 "Our grandson has brains," tartly in- terrupted my grandmother. "My side of the family contained no fools, and VOLTS. father, were what was termed cute men,"
 "There's a beginning everywhere" re- turned the old man, putting vigorously at his pipe. "There must be a begin ning."
 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 Tn the corner of the room) and put it together again T'
 "I'm no clock -maker," replied.
 ''That is to say," rejoined he, "you have no mechanical ingenuity. One need not be clOck-maker to do that. have done it, and can do it again; and I 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 sOmersault?"
 "I never tried" replied.
 "Then you are not as expert as a clown. For the life of me I can't see what good you are going to dc in the world."
 And I 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"
 GA young man should rely on him. self" returned my grandfather. Riches take wings. Pve managed to hold my property together pretty we'll, 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 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 suc- cess.ul.
 About this time my grandfather was selling some property in the town where I 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.
 It 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 l was to support Sallie Miller if married her before my grandfather died. I 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 ir an instant shaft was snapped in twain I 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 fleecy clouds, but stilli was light enough to perceive grandiathe drop the package of $4, 1000 as he stopped down to free the horse. There it lay a my feet and he was unconscious ot hi loss. Another instant l had picked i up and was holding it behind me, irreso lute how to act. You will understand that I didn't mean to steal it: but some how or other l had an indistinct ide' that could make the occasion serve m, aims. There was a large Hat stone b. the roadside. l had trapped rabbi there once, and knew there was con siderable cavity beneath it. An instan later the $4,0O0 were deposited in tn hole.
 The shaft being tied up we got on oul way again, but it was midnight ere W arrived at home.
 Grandfather had not been withi doors five minutes ere he discoverd tn loss of his money. He didn't get angry | hut was friybfaned If was the frs