Nebraska advertiser., 1878-05-02
THAT ONE DOLLAR BILL.

a regular tempest, Wlld oeluge,
rush of arrowy drops, and thunder
of opening floods!
Squire Pratlet heard the rattle
against the easements. and drew his
snug easy chair q little closer to the
fre-a great open mass of glimmering
anthracite-and gszed with 6 sort OF
sleepy, reflective satisfaction at the
crimson moreen curtains, and a gray
cat fast asleep on the hearth, and the
canary bird rolled into drowsy ball
of yellow down upon its perch.
This Is snug guoth the Squire
I'm glad had the leaky spot in the
barn roof fixed last week. 1 don't OBJ
ject to 2 stormy night in a while,
. when a fellows under cover. and
there is nothing in particular to be
done, Mary
Yes Mrs. Pratlet answered. She
was hitting about between the kitch-
en- and dsitting-room, with great blue
checked apron tied atout her waist.
I'm nearly ready TO come in now, Jo-
siah. Now l wonder, sOtto voice, III
that was really knock at the door, Oh
just little rush of the wind
She went to the door. nevertheless,
and a minute or two afterwards she
went to her husbands chair.
Joe, dear, it's Luke Ruddilove,
O. che said half apPrehensively. The
Squire never looked up from his read
ing.
Tell him he has made q mistake.
e The tavern is on the second corner be-
yond.'
But he wants to know if you will
lend him a dollar said Mrs. Pratlet.
Couldn't you have told him no,
with the out preliminary ceremony of
coming to me? Is it likely shall
lend dollar, or even a cent to Luke
Ruddilove? Why. I'd great deal
rather throw 1t among yonder red
Goals. No-of course. no.
Mrs. Pratlet hesitated.
He looks so pinched and cold and
wretched. Josiah. He says there is
nobody in the world to let him have
cent
All the better for him, If he did but
know it, sharply enunciated the
Squire. IF he had come to just that
pinch half dozen years ago. perhaps
he wouldn't have been the miserable
vagabond be now is
We used to go to school together
said Mrs. Pratlet, gently. He was
the smartest boy in the class
That's probable enough said the
Squire. But it don't alter the fact.
He's a poor drunken wretch now.
Send him about his business, Mary {;
and il his time Is of any consequences.
just let him know he had better not
waste it coming here after dollars g
And the Squire leaned back in his
chair, after a positive fashion, as if
the whole matter was settled.
Mrs. Prstlet went back to the kitch-
en-, where Luke Ruddilove was spread
ing his poor fingers over the blaze of
the fire, his tsttered garments steam
ing as if he was a pillar vapor.
Then I've got to starve, like any
- other dog!' said Luke Ruddilove,
turning away. And after all L don't
suppose it makes much difference
whether shuttle out of this world to-
day or Tomorrow
oh Luke-uot to your wife,
Shed be better off without me- he
said down hartedly.
But she ought not to be-
Ought and is are two different
things, Mrs. Pratlet. Good night; L
amt going to the tavern, although
I'll wager something the Squire
thought was.'
And isn't it natural enough that be
should think so, Luke?'
'Yes-yes, Mary; 1 don't say but
what it Is y murmured Luke Ruddi-
love, in the same detected tone he had
used throughout the interview.
Stop Mrs. Pratlet called to him, as
his hand lay on the door latch, in a
low voice. Here is a dollar, Luke,
Mr.. Pratlet gave to me for an oil-cloth
10 go in front of the psrlor stove, but
! will try and make the old one last
a little longer. And, Luke, for the
sake of old times-and for the sake of
your poor wife and little ones at home
do try and do better
Luke Ruddilove looked vacantly |
first at the fresh. new bank-bill in bis
hand, and then at the blooming
young mstron who had placed 1t
there.
Thank you, Mary he said. and
crept out of the warm, bright kitch-
en- into the storm and darkness that
reigned without. Mrs. Prstlet stood
looking into the kitchen fire.
'Idare say I've done foolish thing,
she pondered; but indeed could not
help it. OF course, he will spend it
all at the public house, and L shall do
without new oil cloth; that will be
the end of it all. /.
And there was a conscious flush on |
her cheeks, as II she had done some
thing wrong. when she Joined the
Squire in the sitting room.
WELL said Squire Pratlet. has |
that never-doweil gone at last? p