Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-01-30
A LUCKY TUMBLE.

knowing my uSu'tl Minutes,
I would watch the baby IN her cradle,
"iust for half an hour" [ felt that a
crisis had come, | must leave Mrs.
Snatcham's.
Isay Mrs. Snatcham's, for Mr.. Snatch
am was not unduly prominent III his
own house. He was a meek man, with
fearful eyes. Mrs. Snatcham was
we'll a woman with will, and she had
ewes which made you feel uncomfort-
able. [ had been private tutor IN this
abode for twelve months. My charge
consisted of four young gentlemen, OF
strong bodies and perverse disposition;
They quarrelled necessarily on all
points save one. Against their lawless
tutor they combined heartily. Their
crv was ever "War to the knife y |
had borne it alb | might have con-
tinued to bear it all, but no. [ could not
take charge of the baby, even tor hall
an hour. I must bid the Snatchams
adieu
| was gloomily cogitating my next
movement when Il letter arrived Tor
me from the only near relative L pos
sessed. an old uncle, to whom L had
written detailing my troubles.
Look here, Harry, ltran, If you've
a mind to live in peace, and die worth
money, you forget all about your Latin
and Greek, and such things. Fine
things they are, dare say, but | never
saw that they turned into much beet or
mutton. You put your books in the
fire, and your pride in your pocket,
and never take it out again. You know
what | was in early life, nephew. |
kept shop-a general shop-in coun-
try town. and | didn't do SO badly.
Well, I've just heard the goodwill and
stock-in-trade of shop of this kind, III
little town fifty miles from London. is
for sale; and say the word, and I'll buy
It for vou. And, az your education has
been so neglected. that y'u know
nothing of such a business, III come
and steer your Alright for time. until
fortune is before you. There now
Humph gave gasp or two at this
grand proposition of my worthy rela-
tive Private tutorship at the Snatch
ANS was poor enough, but the keeping
of " a shop of all sorts " in country
town, under the guidance of my good
sanclei Well, it was the old story.
* We never know what we may come
to-"
And so I left the Snatcham's and the
twenty pounds a year they gave me
tby-the-by, l believe my successor re-
ceived only eighteen guineas, and did
not object to mind the baby, and wrote
to my uncle that [ was ready to accom-
pany him to the-shop. Alas, for the
vanity of human designs News came
back that my relative had died sud-
denly. and had left the whole Of his
proDertv to the "Sausag e-makers' Be
nevolent Institution" of which he had
been vice-president, in company Ito
his great delight with half-a-dozen no
sles of the land.
However, all the money needful on
nv account had been paid, and, rather
than return to the horrors Of q private
tutorship, I secured the services OF an
experienced shopman, and determined
to try my fortune in the new dlrec-
ton so lauded by my deceased rela
tive.
[ soou began to perceive not SO very
far off, not the fortune my uncle had
foretold but bankruptcy and the work
house. And when these pleasant pros
poets came very distinctly to my men
tai vision, then it was [ engaged to
marry.
Thus it happened. [ became attach
ed to the only daughter Of a widow
living some ten miles from my abode.
It was a speedy acquaintance and a
quick acceptance by the young lady,
but somehow the mother, without actu
ally Directing, would not agree, and [
pressed Miss Lucy for the reason.
:" / have told you. you are going to
starvation" [ said. MY place is q
failure. and in a month we shall be in
the workhouse; the prospects are clear
and charming, and you are quite salts
fled. What is it then that troubles
Your mammal
well" answered Lucy, It is very
foolish Of mamma to conceal from you
something which you evidently don't
know, though [ wonder at your ig-
norance 1t is your your establish
ment"
Shop, we generally call it, Lucy; but
how do"
Don't you know it's haunted?'
Cannot say | do, andI don't care il
it's. +"
"But if | am to live with you there, /
care very much They say that for sew
eral nights after his death, old jerks,
the former owner, was seen in his shop,
in great night-cap, and with a large
carving-knife"
"a most formidable and disagreeable
sort OF ghost. I must say. but how have
you heard this? p
"Ahl there's the secret, although /
cannot imagine how the story of mann
mas former connection with old Mr.
jerks has not come to your ears. Now,
listen to me. But first solemnly prom
ise you viii not repeat what | am about
10 tell you. There, hold your tongue,