The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-12

the night closed in.
Up on the hill the old Platt homestead
was shrouded in gloom, and revealed
only one dim light in the dining-room.
1t was brick house, with white pillars
supporting projecting roof, shaded in
summer by large trees, and seemed In
the clear, crisp evening surrounded by
tender memories. Now it was all to be
swept away, for the doctors purse had
been ever open, and he had left wife and
son in straitened circumstances. The
lovers stood in the window, hand clasped
support, while Mrs. Platt, stout lady
with querulous mouth, wandered from
room to room gazing at her precious
household gods.
"Even little Mrs. Bamber owns the
roof over her head. and all owing to the
DOCTOR" sobbed the poor lady, taking
up favorite tea-cup with loving touch.
The young son set his teach and drew
long breath. Charlotte could only
lean her trow against the cool pane. If
they knew all The night brought
sorrow, but the ensuing day was only
anticipated with dread.
Hiram briggs made himself comforta-
BILE ON the yellow satin couch of his little
parlor, with q decanter of wine at his ell
bow and cigar. If conscience is mat
ter of education, he should have been
wholly at ease, but there had been an
expression in Charlotte Eaton's eyes as
she departed that day which pricked
him smartly even in remembrance. This
look he might never forget. The won
derful, backward glance of the Cenci
haunts world. Lounging on the yell
low sofa, he reasoned himself out of
these fancies. He would gain at a cheap
rate fine home. DIR. Platt was a reck-
less spendthrift in his day, and his cred
itors need not be blamed for that. AS
for Charlotte, he might make terms
with that proud young lady yet. Alto
getber the evening passed not unpleas-
antly for him in planning improvements
on his new property.
New Years day dawned on Stoneport,
bringing Joy to many hearts and strik-
ing like knen on other lives that found
their burden greater than could be
borne. All nature smiled beneath
cloudless sky; the snow was rose-fushed
on the slope, and shrubbery glistened as
if powdered with diamond-dust the
harbor, where two scheoners rode at
anchor, was deep blue. Stoneport did
not keep the holiday especially, although
it still adhered to the Puritan belief that
New Years day should be sanctifed
rather than Catholic Christmas. On the
hill the young ladies appeared in pretty
dresses of blue and pink, and there were
cake and wine on the side boards, should
the young men call. The shops were
open. At 10 o'clock man passed along
the main street, paused before Mrs.
Bamber's window, shaded his
eyes a moment, and walked on. Mrs.
Bamber observed him with the habitual
curiosity of the resident Of small
place. He was an insignificant person
in gray Goa with red whiskers and
round face. That was all. Pale and
anxious after sleepless night, she stood
with her eyes fixed apprehensively on
the clock. 1t could not be long before
Hiram briggs would do his worst. The
shop-bell rang sharply.
"What do you ask for your pictures,
ma'am2"
Five thousand dollars" muttered
Mrs. Bamber, abstractedly, still staring
at the clock.
What was that2 The insignificant
stranger in the gray coat had reached
for the pictures, and was unceremoni-
ously striking off tho splendid gilt
frames with his stout cane.
"Mercy Stopl What are you do
ing2" Mrs. Bamber ran nlmbly to his
side and arrested his hand.
81 don't want these frames," said the
Granger, contemptuously. "You set
your own price, and 1 will give you
$5,000."
Mrs. Bamber sank down on a stool in
speechless astonishment. How unreal
everything had become-the snowy
street, the shop, the man in gray coatl
Surely Nanny would soon tap on her
bedroom door and tell her it was time
to get up. Then, by sudden and not
unnatural transition of awakening, she
became suspicious and vigilant. Her
visitor wasted no superfiuous words
his broad, ruddy face betrayed not
trace of emotion as he produced crisp
bit of paper, dipped a pen into Mrs.
Bamber's ink, and began to write.
il you are not cheating me, let me
see the money!" interposed Mrs. Bam-
ber, sharply.
He wiped the pen, restored it to a
silver sheath in his pocket, and took up
the draft.
every good" was his sole comment,
and he went out.
Mrs. Bamber laughed hysterically.
Would he ever return2 Perhaps he was
q maniac. 1t seemed an bour before he
returned and counted out q pile of
broad, shining gold pieces that made a
pleasant clinking music as they fell in
glittering heap-$5, 000l
Still phlegmatic, and apparently I'M
moved, the purchaser folded the pict-
ures beneath his ample coat and re-
turned TO the Stoneport Hotel, where
he was the solitary guest. Once in his
chamber his reserve melted he beamed
in broad smiles, and rubbed his hands
with q subdued chuckle of triumph.
"Dirt cheap !" he said to himself,
and fell to studying the dim canvas with
the aspect of connoisseur. He then
wrote the following letter
To the Right honorable the Earl of Il:
My LoRD have the satisfaction of inform
ing you that have found the three pictures
after two years search in the States. They
were in the possession OF an ignorant woman,
keeping shop in an obecure town of the New