The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-11-03
SQUIRE BLAKE'S LOSS.

the assistance Of Deborah, a colored
woman, she had been hard at work for
nearly a week; to-day they had come to
the family sitting room, which besides
being cleaned was to be newly papered
At this point the Squire had mildly de-
clared that he "didn't see the need Of
turning everything upside down, if they
were cleaning boxes
The room opening from the sitting
room was lower in the walls than that,
thus giving space for two small closets,
one on each side of the chimney. 1t had
been thought best to have these papered
over, they were too high for frequent use.
Mrs. Blake had plot in her mind re-
garding them, and that was to fill them
with some old books which were now
"only numbering up the house" in her
view, though if the Squire had been told
of this, his opinion might have been
quite different for he seemed to have n
mania for second hand books, and bought
all he came across.
In the 'Squire's family lived boy by
the name of Archie Turner, who was
child of n neighbor of the Blakos. About
year before our story begins, hisparonts
died, leaving him and sister without
relatives or money; the Squire, seeing
that he was q smart, intelligent boy, and
wanting some one to help about the
"chores," had taken him to live with
them, where he was considered as one Of
the family; his sister found home with
some friends in the neighboring town of
Chelton.
Squire Blake was not poor man, and
there would sometime be, rs the neigh
bors said, "quite fortune to fall to
somebody" So Archie WIS considered
to be very fortunate in having homo
here for the Squire and his wife had
often spoken of adopting boy, their
only child being the little Amy, girl of
eight or nine ycars-and now it looked
as thought Archie might he the boy
whom they would adopt.
But while we have wandered from the
scene at the beginning, the cleaning has
progressed finely; Mrs Blake has called
Archie to go with her to the attic to help
bring down some books which have been
crowded ont of the house. She selected
some volumes, and taking an armful, left
Archie to do the same, and went down
stairs. As she entered the sitting-rOom
she was met by Mr.. Stevens, wealthy
| farmer.
"How'd do Mrs. Blake" said he;
cleaning house, | reckon; well, won't
hinder You long. I couldn't find the
Squire anywhcre's round, so Just drop
ped in to leave that money you heard
him tell of, very likely; if he haint to
home no matter Guess [ can trust it to
you:" and with good-natured cha, ha, "
in appreciation Of the joke, he produced
| a generous pocket-book, and taking from
| il a roll of bills, counted out the sum
wanted. and handed it to Mrs. Blake
1.-The Squire understands; there is 40
need OF a receipt" he said; then, with a
"good day, he was gone.
Mrs. Blake stood a moment with the
money in her handsome hundred dol
lars-when she was startled by hearing n
cry from Deborah; hastily dropping the
bills, she ran to her assistance, and found
her swaving morrnfully back and forth.
"Its done gone'n broke my arm now
70 sure" she walled. Mrs. Blake helped
her to more comfortable place than the
kitchen floor, and asccrtalned the fac'
that she Ind fallen down some steps.
The broken arm proved to be nothing
more serious than sprained wrist; that
wns bad enough. however, Ill Deborah
opinion. though it might ha' ben wuss
er, she confessed
Mrs. Blake bathed her wrist, and a
lenpth she was in n condition to 60 home
Meanwhile, Archie had packed the book
away in the closets and had busted him
self out Of doors.
1t had taken some time to "stralghteI
things out as Mrs. Blake expressed 1t
after Deborah's accident, and the none,
was not thought Of again until after tci
when suddenly Mrs. Blake exclaimed
miand sakes, Reuben, Mr.. Stevens wa
here to-day and left that money; bles
me, haiD't thought Of it since. Iv
been so hurried"
The Squire turned few leaves o
his book. "Well. where is it now,
wonder?" but his wife had gone to tin
sitting-room.
"Bring a light, Reuben; I'm sure
left il hero" A light was carried i'll, bu
no money was to be found, The!
searched carefully around that and tn
other rooms; Amy and Archie ioine'
them, but without success.
"Deborah wouldn't take it, of course,
said the Squire, doubtfully.
"No. indeed, his wife answered, turn
ing her pocket wrong side out. "No
besides Il was when | heard her cry tina
left it here and went to her"
"Andwas no one else here after that |?
"No one, except Mrs. Blake hesi
tated-"no one but Archie.