Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-07-11
THE BAG OF GOLD.

before Brother Gabriel died and lett me
al the money"
"Well, Cousin Clarissa,' observed
George Merrilton, who was assiduously
engaged in entanghug the widows work
TO the very best or to the very worst CT
his ability, in case you find yourself
unequal to the strain, all you have to dc
is to leave me the $1,000
1.-The first thing in the morning,
went ON Mrs. Peckington, unheeding
Mr.. Mentions modest hint, "and the
last at night, I'm thinking about it.
First put it in Deacon Elijah Horton
bank, and Their | drew it out again
banks aren't nowayS safe nowadays
And then l buried it in the east cellar
close to the apple bin, and there came
the deluging rain, and | knowed the
cellar would be three inches deep i'll wa
Ter. SO up 1t came again, and then
could not rest in my bed, for fear oftire.
SO | got it changed into gold, aud
GUESS it's safe enough"
I'm the bottom of your big red chest
mischievously hazarded George.
NO matter where, sir, said the
widow, nodding her head.
20, but Cousin Carissa, you might
tell u.s. persisted Merrilton. I'VE are
all your own folks, Cora and l."
Cora Dallas sat stitching quietly IL
the corner-the pretty orphan whom
Mrs. Peckington had taken cut of the
orphan asylum to "bring up," five years
before.
Il don't expect to leave you nothing,
Mrs. Peckington had said, "for I've re-
lations of my own; hnt I'll give you 4
good deesIrick- education, and a
decent bringing up, and good chance
10 do for yourself"
And Cora had accepted the good
danes offer with meek gratitude.
She had grown very pretty the last
few years, this solitary child of nobody
Dark.eyed, with her hair full of deel
chestnut golden shadows, a peach-blos
som skin, where the rosy blood glowed
brightly through on the slightest provo
cation, and mouth like Hebe, itseem
ed as ii nature had made solemn
compact with herself to atone for all
social Sights that might be cast across
Cora Dallas path
WE'LL" said Mrs. Peckington, seri
ously, 81 don't mind telling you, but
mind YOU don't repeat 1.-THE bag.
hung half way up the chimney on M
IRON hook.
"But suppose the chimney should
take fire r. said Merrilton.
1T won't. | keep it well swept, and
besides, If it should, takes pretty good
heat to melt gold"
Upon my word, Cousin Clarissa,
said Merrilton, you are second
Machiayelli."
"Who in pity sakes was he % asked
Mrs. Peckington. "There's Neighbol
Simkins at the door-jump and let him
IN Cora, for it's beginning to snow like
ali possessed
And Neighbor Simkins came ina
broad-iaced, jovial agriculturist who
lived on the next farm, and was sus-
pected of matrimonial designs on the
heart of Widow Peckington.
est by, Mr.. Simkins," said the wild
ow, Hospitality, putting another moss
tringed log on the fire; " seems like
we're going to have another spell o.
weather"
And while the widow and her mid
dle-aged lover discussed the weather
George took OCCASION to help Cora get
down half bushel of red apples from
the garrett, and was unnecessarily long
about it, too.
q should think you would be
ashamed of yourself, George Merrill
ton," SAID Cora, dipling and blushing
and trying TO look very angry, in which
she succeeded but indiffeiently.
what for?' audaciously demanded
George. Zone doesn't get behind the
garnet door with a pretty girl every
day in the year"
What would Mrs. Peckington say p
Il dare say she's doing the very
same thing herself down stairs with
Jehorum Slmkins.
And Cora burst out laughing at the
preposterous idea, just AZ the widow
came for ounce Jelly and apple-butter
and to tell Cora to mix up batch Of
mullins in the winking of an eye, for
Neighbor Simkins was going to stay &c
tea.
After supper Mr.. Simkins took his
leave, with roeuish twinkle OF his eye
towards the young people, and Mrs,
Peckington went over to spend the
evening with Mrs. Dorcas Dottleford
her BET crony. and Cora sat all alone II
the freight sewing and signing and
thinking; for George Merrilton had
gone home early to secure Mr.. Slmkins
companionship part Of the way
through the lonely roads which were
already becoming yelled in snow.
angle Of the old-fashioned kitchen
chimney had just struck midnign.
when Cora Dallas was reused from mel
sleep by sheeted form at the loot o
her bed-tall and narrow, clad IN white
but no ghost, nevertheless, but Mrs
Peckington's self.
What's the matter?' cried Cora
breathlessly.
my money gasped the widow
waving her hands tragically il the air
But what OF it,"