The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-23
THAT ONE DOLLAR BILL.

tEhslLA suGJk ftAS* GS ~ WCkS, DCkVUCI; HOAC "
your mild, persistent gatherings on the roof,
but q regular tempest, a wild deluge, q rush
Of arrowy drops and a thunder Of opening
foods?
Squire Pratlet heard the rafting up against
the easements, and drew his snug easy chair
closer to the fre-a great, open mass OF
glimmering anthracite, and gazed with a sort
Of sleepy, reflective satisfaction at the Grim
son moreen curtains, and q gray cat fast
asleep on the hearth and the canary bird
upon its perch.
''This is snug quoth the Squire; 'Im
glad I had the leakY spot in the barn fixed
last week. don't object to 8 stormy night
once in awhile when q fellows under cover,
and there is nothing particularly to be done"
EYES," Mrs Pratlet answered. She was
fitting about between the kitchen and sitting
room with q great blue checkered apron tied
about her waist. 81 am nearly ready to
come iii now. Well, [ wonder" soto voce,
"if that was a knock at the door Or just a
little rush Of the wind"
She went to the door, nevertheless, and e
minute or two afterwards she went to her
husbands chair.
"Joe, dear, it's Luke Ruddilove," she said,
half apprehenaively. The Squire never
looked up from his reading.
"TeIl him he has made a mistake. The
tavern is on the..second corner beyond"
"But he wants to know if you will lend
him a dollar" said Mrs. Pratlet.
Couldn't you tell him no, without the
ceremony OF coming to me? Is it likely that
/ should lend q dollar. or even a cent, to
Luke Ruddilove? Why, I'd a great deal
rather throw it among yonder red Goals. No
of course not"
Mrs. Pratlet hesitated.
''He looks so pinched and cold and wretch
ed, Josiah. He says there is nobody In the
world TO let him have q cent.
sAll the better for him, if he did but know
it" sharply enunciated the old Squire. IF
he had come to that half a dozen years ago
perhaps he Would not have been the misera-
Bile vagabond he now is"
1--WE used to 60 to school together" said
Mrs. Pratlet, gently. "He was the smartest
boy in the class"
"That's probable enough" said the Squire,
sshut it don't alter the fact. H is a poor
drunken wretch now. Send him about his
business, Mary, and if his time is Of any
consequence, just let him know he had bet
ter not waste it coming here after dollars"
And the Squire leaned back in his chair,
after d positive fashion, as if the whole mat
ter was settled,
Mrs, Pratlet went back to the kitchen,
where Luke Ruddilove was spreading his
poor fingers over the blaze of the fire, his tat
tered garments steaming as If he was 8 pillar
Of vapor.
ssThen I've got to starve like any other
dog y said Luke Ruddilove, turning away.
s'But after all, I don't suppose it makes much
difference If I shuttle out Of this world to-day
or tomorrow.
sob, Luke, no difference to your wife,"
ssShe'd be better off without me, he said
downheartedly.
s4But she ought not to be"
sought and is, are two different things,
Mrs. Pratlet. Good night; I amt going to
the tavern, although I'll wager something
the Square thought / was"
Sand isn't it natural enough hal DC
should think 50. Luke7"
eyes, yes, Mary, I don't say but that i
is" murmured Luke in the same detected
tone he used during the interview.
essStop,' Mrs. Pratlet called to him as hi
hand lay on the door latch, in 9 low voice
aHeress d dollar, Luke, Mr. Pratlet gave !
10 me for an oilcloth to go in front of th'
parlor stove; but I will try and make the olt
one last d little longer. And, Luke. for tn
sake of your poor wife and little ones q
herae. and for the sake Of old times, do II,
and do better. Won't you
Luke Ruddiloye looked y~acantlY at th
new bank bill in his hand, and then at til
blooming young matron who had placed ]
there.
THANK you Mary. I will. God bles
You, he said, and crept out into the storm
that reigned without, Mrs. Pratlet stood look
inc into the kitchen fire.
81 dare say I've done q foolish thing, bul
indeed, / could not help il. It he will TAX
il home and not spend it at the tavern,
shall not miss my oilcloth.'
And there was d conscious flush On be