Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1880-10-23

/ have had to shift how they could for
bread"
That's nothing to me" said the
landlord.
Let me have one pint"
Have you the inlpudence to ask
for it with that shameful lot Of chalks
staring you in the faee?"
Jerry did not reply, but he took a
long and earnest look at the recording
files, and drawing his hand across his
dry mouth, hurried out Of The Dram
Arms
Who is that you've been talking
TO- Richard ?" inquired Mrs. Rewitt
entering the bar from a room behind.
Jerry Muddler,' was the reply.
I've stopped his drink until he pays
up.
Then he will go to The Green
Goose and get his drink there" said
: 3. Rewitt.
They won't trust him a penny"
returned her husband with a grin
he's tried it on and failed, and so I've
got him If he does not pay up I'll
make him."
"There's nothing to be got out Of
that house, said Mrs. Rewitt, shaking
her head 1--WE heard that there's not
chair for them to sit down upon and
Jerry's wife-clean and tidy manages
to keep herself-looks more like skel-
eton than woman; and as for the
children they look as ravenous as
wolves at the dinner coming from the
bake-hOuse.'
That's Jerry's lookout" replied
Mr. Rewitt, cody. If he can't afford
it, he shouldn't drink
The subject was dismissed, and Jer-
fy forgotten in the noise and hustle of
the usual evening business. About
nine O'Clock Jerry's wife, to the aston
ishment of both Mr.. Rewitt and his
wife, appeared in the bar; but not, as
they supposed, for drink.
my husband tells me- she said
that he has heavy score here. How
much is it ?'
Pm almost too busy to tell you"
replied the landlord, but if it is press
ing will reckon it up"
1t is pressing, and | shall be very
thankful if you will let me know at
once what it is" returned the poor
woman, who was indeed wan and pale
and almost justified the title Of" skel-
f<,, hi 1..l, NJ Il
her.
The landlord went through the
chalks twice, and finally announced
that Jerry was indebted to him to the
amount Of two pounds seventeen shil-
lingsand four-pence, halfpenny. Jer-
ry's wife received the announc ement
with look of quiet dismay, thanked
the landlord and left the house
Il suppose she is thinking of max
ing All effort to pay it off, said Mr..
!. Rewitt, addressing his better half
land l hope she will but fancy ii
will be little too much for her."
For u whole week nothing was seen
or heard of Jerry but at the end Of
;, that time his wife appeared and pu,
!, down five shillings on the counter.
Will you please take that off the
!, amount, SIR said she, and give me-
a receipt2'
u This was done with a gracious smile
u and Jerry's wife departed Mr. Rewit
announced his having hit the righ
; nail on the head. The wife of the cob
u bier was making an effort to clear of
Z her husbands debt.
{ At the end of another week sec
ond five shilling was paid, and the1
: harvest came on-truly harvest to tn,
u agric ,ltural laborer, rs at that time h,
: gathers in clothes, and whateve
necessaries his harvest money will
u enable him to procure. All the littl
tradesmen in the village were busy
; and even Jerry was reported to be full
: handed. But he did not come nea
! The Dram Arms " for drink
r On the third week Jerry's wifi
II brought ten shillngs, and on tn
: fourth, fifteen, to the great joy and sa,
II isfaction of Mr.. Rewitt, whose JOY
% how4ver, was alloyed by the fear tha
q he had lost good customer. He RI
r solved to look up Jerry as soon as al
other installment of this account wa
st paid
ii Nothing was brought for fortnight
= and the landlord congratulated him
self upon not having hastily sougt
r his absent customer, who still owe
him over pound, but the appearanc
T. of Jerry's wife with the balance ha
" the effect of making him think othe
wise. There was no display in putin
h down the money-it was quietly don
a but the happy light in the woman
pr eyes when she took the receipt, spok
4. more than mere words or actions.
er Il have been hasty with Jerry.
v said Mr.. Rewitt, when another who
month had elapsed without Jerry al
Il, pearing; : he promised to pay at ha
,e vest time, and he did it: but l ha,