The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-17

PSCt, ior tney was all gone.
"Ah they are mighty officious Just now,
to curry favor with the new Squire.
You'll have to keep quiet for time"
"And starve," added the young man,
gloomily. "No one hereabouts would
give me work, to save my life"
why don't you try the new Squire?
He can't know anything against you
yet"
'But his bailiff does"
"Who is his bailiffw
"Old Simon Greer"
"And he's bore us spite ever since |
can remember. There is no chance
there"
II never thought there was, for my
part; but here comes Will. We will see
if he has had better luck than me"
VIII started somewhat at the sight of
the dropping figure at the fireplace; but
Josh's rapid explanation reassured him,
and he joined the group, without "a
word of comment.
"Will," said Josh, impatiently, "what
did you doY
Nothing" answered his brother,
sharply. Il hadn't the chance; for be-
fore I'd time to look about me OF find
what part of the house | was in, tall
lady came into the room-I should take
her to be the mistress, by the rustic of
her silk gown"
"Ah! And what then? inquired the
other, with eager interest.
81 just gave myself up for lost, when a
notion came into my head quite pat. I'd
got Il fgure-head down on the floor beside
Inc | had taken off the mantel-piece to
examine, and hadn't time to put back,
when ] was surprised; so / hoisted that
to the top of my head, muffied the coun-
terpane overmy shoulders, and faced her.
Fortunately, the bed was Just between
us, or she must have seen my boots, and
guessed what it all meant; but as it was,
she was so completely scared, that she
took to her heels, and went to fetch as
sistance. However, | did not mean to be
caught this time; and so / hid in one of
the out-houses until the commotion was
all over, and then | slipped quietly away.
But fancy | shall make better thing
OF it next time, if / wait until the folks
have sat down to their dinner"
And supposing you are caught" said
tho old woman, warningly.
Don't you know, mother, that I am
nimble as a monkey? | could let myself
down through the window, if the worst
come to the worst"
They might be waiting for you be.
low."
''Tush." he said, impatiently, with a
sharp, short laugh, there is such thing
as rogue's luck, you know"
(Which fails 'em pretty often," said
Josh, "as | could prove. The keepers
have taken all my traps"
Chow came thatY'
"Theyve been a little too active, that's
all. Mr.. Roper's been in trade, they
tell me, and means to have his moneys
worth of everything"
"Roperp Did you say Roper" "
screamed Margaret, leaning forward, with
flashing eyes, and lips twitching convul
sively in her excitement. "YOu never
said Roper, Josh?
eyes | did; why not?"
"And he's Just come"
Josh stared at her wild face and won
dered, but answered carelessly, eyes, he,
Just come, worse luck to himT'
"And he's marriedw
"But not long since, they tell me-" re-
pile Will, taking his turn. "Mr. Roper
and his wife's father are partners in trade
| hear, though of course that mayn't be
true"
But it is true!" shrieked Margaret
more wildly than ever; "quit truce. Anc
look here, all Of you--our fortune il
made!'
"Why, what the deuce do you mean?'
exclaimed Josh, now fairly startled.
"Why, | mean that | am master o.
that woman, just as surely as you are
master of that dog" pointing at the
lurcher that lay crouched at Josh's feet
"Tll show you what | mean tomorrow
for, If | am too tired to 90 to her, Fl
make her come to me! Will, you shall
go up to the house and just say Margaret
Cell wants to see Mrs. Roper, and long
before you get home she'll be here, fawn
ing and crying, down on her knees, be
seeching me to make my terms! All! ]
know how to manage her, my dears! The
fine house she lives in, the very name
she bears, all hang on word from my
lips; and if she does not pay me well tt
keep silent, I'll tumble the house dowr
about her ears, and send her drifting"
"Ah, but can you?" inquired Josh
eagerly.
with a word, | tell you"
"And what is that wordw
Margaret shook her head cunningly.
Secrets are worth keeping when they
bring in money. It's all in the family
of course, but one of us is enough to turn
the mill, and keep it going; and it's jus
likely you'd take the whole matter out o
my hands, if you got a chance"
Mind you keep it going then" an
swered Josh, rather sullenly. II shal
come and help you if you seem to wan
it, otherwise, I'll leave you alone. Blu
| may as well tell you our purses art
pretty empty here, and the sooner we ge
| Il 1 II -