St. Landry democrat., 1878-04-27
A LUCKY TUMBLE.

When Mrs. Snatcham asked me,
"knowing my usual Kindness" whether
I would watch the baby in the cradle,
"just for half an hour" felt that
crisis had come. I must leave Mrs.
Snatcham's.
say Mrs. Snatcham's, for Mr.. Snatch
am was not unduly prominent in his own
house. He was a meek man, with tear
full eyes. Mrs. Snatcham was-well, a
woman with a will, and she had eyes
which made you feel uncomfortable. l
had been private tutor in this abode for
twelve months. Ny charge consisted Of
four young gentlemen, of strong bodies
and perverse dispositions. They quar-
relied necessarily on all points save one.
Against their lawless tutor they COM
bined heartily. Their cry was ever
"War to the knife !" I had borne it
all might have continued to bear it
all, but no, I could not take charge Of
the baby, even for half an hour. I must
bid the Snatchams adieu.
was gloomily cogitatiDg my next
movement when a letter arrived for me
from the only near relative I possessed
an old uncle, to whom I had written
detailing my troubles.
"Look here, Harry" it ran, eff
you've mind to live in peace and die
worth money, you forget all about your
Latin and Greek and such things. Fine
things they are, I dare say, but I never
saw that they turned into much beef or
mutton. You put your books in the
fire and your pride in your pocket, and
never take it out again. You know
what I was in early life, nephew. I kept
shop-a general shop-in a country
town, and I hadn't done so badly. Well,
I've just heard the good will and stock
in trade of shop of this kind in little
town fifty miles from London is for sale,
and say the word and I'll buy it for you.
And, as your education has been SO
neglected that you'd know nothing of
such a business, I'll come and steer you
Alright for time, until fortune is before
you. There now |"
Humph! I gave grasp or two at
this grand proposition OF my worthy
relative. Private tutorship at the
Snatchams was poor enough, but the
keeping Of ga shop of all sorts" in a
country town, under the guidance of
my good uncle! Well, it was the old
story" We never know what we may
come to-"
And SO I left the Snatchams and the
EGO a year they gave me (by.the~by, I
believe my successor received only 18
guineas, and did not object to mind the
baby, and wrote to my uncle that was
ready to accompany him to the-the
shop. Alas, for the vanity of human
designs! News came back that my
relative had died suddenly, and had left
the whole of his property to the" Sau-
sage-makers' Benevolent Institution" of
which he had been a vice-president, in
company ito his great delight) with half
a dozen mobiles of the land. So.
However, all the money needful on
my account had been paid, and rather
than return to the horrors of private
tutorship / secured the services of an
experienced shopman, and determined
to try my fortune in the new direction
SO lauded by my deceased relative.
] do not want to lengthen my story,
and therefore I will comprise a great
deal in one short sentence-I tried and
I failed. ..... -.s. .
[ soon began to perceive, not SO very
far of, not the fortune my uncle had
foretold, but bankruptcy and the work
house. And when these pleasant pros
poets came very distinctly to my mental
vision, then it was I engaged to marry!
Thus it happened. 7 became attached
to the only daughter Of a widow, living
some ten miles from my abode. It was
a speedy acquaintance and a quick &C.
ceptance by the young lady, but some
how the mother, without actually OBJ
jecting, would not agree, and pressed
Miss Lucy for the reason.
y have told you, you are going to
starvation" I said. my place is a fail.
ure, and in month we shall be in the
workhouse; the prospects are clear and
charming, and you are quite satisfied.
What is it then that troubles your
mamma ~ III
z I Well, !" answered Lucy, it is very
foolish of mamma to conceal from Won
something which you evidently don't
know, though wonder at your ignorance
1t is your-your ablishment.,'
Shop, we generally cali it,. Iuev
but how do ssf q.
Don't you know it's haunted?s
y 8 Can not say do, and don't care Is
It isl
But # { am to live with yen there,
care very much. They say that for
several nights after his death, old jerks,