Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-11-11

Mrs. Hacker and her daughter sat
the little parlor behind the shop taking
tea. 1t was frosty winter night, and
the brown teapot was kept on the back
of the stove that it might not chill. So
was the pan OF sausages, which tasted
all The more crisp and savory in conse-
quence. The door between the store
and room stood open that any chance
customer might be seen at ence by the
tea-drinkers, but the bell had not jingled
since they took their seats.
Trade is dreadful, Emma Jane, said
Mrs. Hacker, dipping her bread into
the sausage pan and transferring it TO
her plate by means of the long cooking
fork. TRADE is dreadful l should
just give up if it got a little worse; but,
dear me, l never had any luck in any
thing. There's Mr.. Ninnever putting
plate glass-whole panes-into his
windows, and beginning TO talk OF
hiring the second floor for ready-made
suits; and my things hang on my hands
though I'm sure l make better selec.
tions than he knows how to. Another
cup, Emma Jane-what n comfort tea
is. to be sure"
Then give me cup, won't you, Mrs
HackerP" said voice behind them. 81
want comfort, I'm sure. Here's grandma
gone out and forgot to leave the key,
and nothing for me to do but to sit on
the stairs and cool my heels"
".Thomas!ila! how you scared me
coming in so suddenr screamed Emma
Jane.
sit down, do" said Mrs. Hacker.
"Take your seat here, Tom, and have
your supper with US. Your grandma
stopped to tell me she wouldn't be hack
until late, and the. key is in the money
drawer"
About all there is there, too" said
Emma Jane, with pout; land 1 want
a new winter bonnet"
Look here, Mrs. Hacker" said the
young man, slowly turning himself
toward the old lady. "Look here,
ma'am; here's some one ready and will
ing to buy that winter bonnet, and all
the other bonnets Emma Jane will ever
want. We've been engaged year now,
and at last I've got to be foreman in the
factory. Why should we put it off any
longer? Tell Emma Jane that it's all
nonsense. She won't listen to me-"
We'll, / don't think long engage
ments are best" said Mrs. Hackers
What should say to Emma Jane
would be, Have him pow.'"
"Oh, well! suppose shall be both
cred until do say yes," replied Emma
Jane; and then the anxious lover, plead.
ing his cause earnestly, the wedding day
was actually set for Christmas eve,
which was at that time about month
OF.
This conversation, as well as the even
ing meal, being over Mrs. Hacker dis
creetly retired to the shop and left the
lovers alone. However, she did not
stay away long. In few moments she
came running in with her glasses on
her nose, and an open letter in her
hand.
Read this, one of you," she said.
"Ive read it, but / can't believe / un-
derstand it. IL seems as though must
he crazy. Here, you read It Thomas;
have more confidence n you"
Then she put the letter into Thomas
Hunts hand and sat down at the
table.
81 found 1t on the floor," said she.
"The postm4n must have thrown it in
at the slit. don't know whether lbs .
hoax or not, but Its got regular stamp
on, an all. My gracious. how queer I
feel"
Meanwhile Thomas Funt solemnly
placed the sheet of paper before him,
read 1t through, and turned back to the
first line.
1t isn't hoax," said he. "It's a
regular lawyers letter, and what il tells
you is that your old uncle. Samuel
Hacker. of London. England, is dead,
and you are his heirees to the tune of
100000. It's dcwn in pounds. but
that's the sum in our money"
Pinch mel Emma Jane" cried Mrs.
Hacker. mean it. dear; and II
don't wake up, III think It's true"
"Oh, pshaw, mat It's true enough, -
cried Emma Jane. How splendid
When are we TO have the money! Oh,
isn't 1t just lovelyP"
But Thomas gave little sigh.