Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-31
NO. 262.
Gales ano Sktttbes.
THE MISSING DEED.
From a London Magazine.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. J

naturally, was Mr.. Morpeth's advertise
ment; and the young people amused them
selves by discussing alphabetically what
use they would make of the reward, sup
posing they were lucky enough to find the
missing deed. Various plans were sug-
gcsted, but it was finally decided that Bes-
sic should set up tobacconist's and sta
tionery business, in aid of Toms legal
earnings. At first Tom was rather in
clined to take the tobacconist's portion Of
the business himself, as he had an idea
that he could serve cigars and vesuvians
with considerable artistic finish; but this
was sOverruledby Bessie, who wouldn'thea
of his giving up his profession. That
idea was therefore abandoned, Tom justly
remarking that, as he wasn't at all likely
to find the deed, it really wasn't Of very
much consequence. After q somewhat
lengthy stroll the young people made their
way back to Chancery lane, Tom purchas-
ing pint of shrimps on his way, as con-
tribution to Mrs. Moyse's refreshment ar
rangements. They found the table spread,
pot of home made jam and a plate of
water-cresses shedding luster on the fes-
tive board the kettle boiling on the hob;
and Mrs. Moyse bustling about in the final
preparations for tea making. Uncle Keck-
wide sat, with his hat on, in his accus-
toned place by the fire. ~
On Mrs. Moyse's first taking possession,
some years before, of the housekeeper's
apartment in Bedford row, Uncle Keck-
widge complained of draught, and had
put on his hat as a'protection. As the rest
Of the family did not perceive any draught,
and rashly ventured to question its exist
ence, Uncle Keckwidge, who could never
brood contradiction, became firmly con-
vinced that there was very severe
draught indeed. and had continued to wear
his hat indoors as well as out ever since,
He had never looked with favorable eye
on Tom Halliday, and had occasionally
caused Bessie considerable embarrassment
by uttering aloud private reflections to his
prejudice. On the present occasion, the
first greetings were scarcely over when
Uncle Keckwidge. who had been eyeing
Tom over in critical manner, remarked
to himself, but quite audibly: The idea
of girl like our Bess takin' up with such
pair of trousers as that. Lor', believe
the woman willhave anything Nowadays
a remark which caused Tom, though not
naturally bashful. to tuck his legs hastily
under the chair, and Bessie to look very
hot and uncomfortable, Mrs. Moyse max
ing as much clatter as possible with the
teacups, and endeavoring to make believe
that nobody heard the observation, while
Uncle Keckwidge continued to munich his
bread and butter in profound unconscious
ness Of having said anything at all offen-
sive Hfa
"You mustn't take any notice of uncle.
Tom," whispered Bessie. .'YOu know
what he is. It's only his fun. He's always
taking one off,"
al Irsk AL
though" said Tom, and then finding that
he had (quite Internationally made kind
of fjoke, he tried hard to look as If he had
said it on purpose.
"Thomas." said Bessie, pretending to
be dreadfully shocked, Thomas, l am
perfectly ashamed of you! 1t would serve
you rignt not to let you have any shrimps.''
Forgive me this once" said Tom;
'I'll never do so any more. wonder
whether the old dbuffer would like shrimp.
Try a monster of the deep. Mr.. Keck-
widg," he continued. putting spoonful
on the old mans plate. "And shouldn't
break my heart if one of 'em got cross
ways and choked you, yon old image!''
he added. in lower tone.
"For shame, sirr' cried Bessie; ga
poor, harmless old man like that, and
you want to choke himr' h
why couldn't he leave my trousers
alone, then P'' said Tom, still by no means
pacified.
Here Uncle Keckwidge, who had been
looking about uneasily' pulled large
black pin out of his necktie and commenced
digging at a shrimp though apparently
without satisfactory result.
"No, uncle" said Mrs. Moyse, taking
the pin away from him mot like that.
You're thinking of wrinkles; these are
shrimps."
Then what did he say they were win
kles for ?'' said Uncle keckwidge, much
aggrieved.
II didn't" said Tom, Indignantly, II
never said anything of the sort"
| young man," replied Uncle Keck-
widge, with dignity, .'you said distinctly
wrinkles; l noticed it particularly. l am
very partial to wrinkles but shrimps amt
no account"
"Come. uncle" said Bessie, '.you know
the last time Tom brought wrinkles you
said you preferred shrimps."
"We amt had winkles," resumed the
old man, mot since that day when we
found the ear-wig in my Sunday hat. And
then they was in a pie"
''No, no. uncle.'' said Mrs. Mcyse,
| Laughing, "tnat WASH WlhkIes; that was
cells"
II dunno about that,' said Uncle Keck-
widge. thoughtfully; but l know you
pick 'em out with pin. With pin ~
he repeated at intervals, like an echo.
fainter and fainter each time. '.With a
pin!" and then again relapscd into si-
lence.
BY the way Of changing the subject.
Tom began telling Mrs. Moyse how the
great case of Davis VS.. Morpeth was ex-
pected to come off on Wednesday week.
and how tho most important title-deed was
mysteriously missing, and Mr.. Morpeth
had offered reward of $500 to any one
who would restore it.
Uncle Keckwidge frightened up sud-
denly at the word ''reward."
II know. he said, nodding his head
sagely. II see the bill myself. u the
bakers round the corner. A terrier dog
with ono eye, answers to the name o. Bob.
Ten shillin reward"
mo. no, uncle," said Bessie ''that's