The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-03-24
THAT ONE DOLLAR BILL.


How it did rain that November night.
None Of your undecided showers, with hes
itating intervals, as it were, between; none
of your mild; PERSISTENT gatherings on the
roof, but regular tempest, a wild deluge,
a rush of arrowy drops and thunder of
opening floods
Squire Pratlet heard the rattling up
against the easements, and drew his snug
easy chair closer to the ire-a great, open
mass of glimmering anthracite, and gazed
with sort of sleepy, reflective satisfaction
at the crimson moreen curtains, and gray
cat fast asleep on the hearth and the canary
bird rolled into drowsy ball of yellow
down upon its perch.
This is snug" quoth the Squire; I'm
glad had the ieaky spot in the barn fixed
last week. l don't object to stormy night
once in a while when fellows under COW
er, and there is nothing particularly to be
done.''
Eyes" Mrs. Pratlet answered. She was
fitting about between the kitchen and sit
ting room with great blue checkered apron
tied about her waist. Il am nearly ready
to come in now. Well, WONDER" soto
voce, eff that was knock at the door or
just little rush of the wind"
She went to the door, nevertheless, and
nIHute OK Two tt1teI"dIuS SIG WeuI W Ao1
husbands chair.
Joe, dear, it's Luke Ruddilove," she
said, half apprehensively. The Squire
never looked up from his reading.
Tell him he has made mistake. The
tavern is on the second corner beyond.
But he wants to know if you will lend
him dollar" said Mrs. Pratlet.
Couldn't you tell him no, without the
ceremony Of coming to me? Is it likely
that I should lend dollar, or even cent
to Luke Ruddilove? Why, I'd 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 a cent"
knowit," sharply enunciated the old squire.
IF he had come to that half dozen years
ago perhaps he would not have been the
miserable vagabond he now is"
I'VE used to 60 to school together, said
Mrs Pratlet, gently. "He was the smart
est boy in the class"
"Thats probable enough, said the squire,
but it don't alter the fact. He is 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 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
tattered garments steaming as if he was q
pillar of vapor.
Then I've got to starve like any other
dogv said Luke Ruddilove, turning away.
But after all, I don't suppose it makes
much difference if shuttle out of this world
to day or to morrow"
"Oh, Luke, no difference to your wife?"
Shed be better off without me, he said,
downheartedly.
But she ought not to be-"
"Ought, and is, are two different things,
Mrs. Pratlet. Good night; amt going to
the tavern, although I'll wager something
the squire thought was"
And isn't it natural enough that he
should think so, Luke?"
Eyes, yes, Mary; I don't say but what it
tone he used during the interview.
"Stop," Mrs. Pratlet called to him as his
hand lay on the door latch, in low voice,
Here's dollar, Luke. Mr.. Pratlet gave it
to me for an oilcloth to 60 in front of the
parlor stove; but I will try and make the
old one last little longer! And Luke, for
the sake Of your poor wife and little ones
at home, and for the sake Of old times, do
try and do better. Won't your"
Luke Ruddilove looked vacantly at the
new bank bill in his hand, and then at the
blooming young matron who had placed it
there.
THANK you. Mary. I will. God bless
you, he said, and crept out into the storm
that reigned without. Mrs. Pratlet stood
looking into the kitchen fire.
II dare say I've done a foolish thing,
but, indeed, could not help it. If he will
take it home and not spend it at the tavern,
shall not miss my oilcloth."
And there was a conscious flush on her
cheeks as if she had done something
wrong when she Joined her husband in the
sitting room.
"Well," said Squire Pratlet, '*has that
unfortunate gone at last?"
Eyes"
To the Stokes tavern, SUPPOSED"
II hope not, Josiah"
I'm afraid it's past hoping for, said the
Squire, struggling his shoulders. But Mrs.
Pratlet kept her secret in her own heart.
It was six months afterwards that the
Squire came into the dining room where
his wife was preserving great red apples in
to Jelly:
"Wen, WE'LL" quoth he, wonders will
never cease. The Ruddiloves have gone
away"
''Where?"
Il don't knew-out West somewhere with
colony. And they say Luke's not drank
drop Of whisky for six months.
II am glad Of that, replied Mrs. P.
1T won't last long," he suggested de-
spairingly.
Why not?"
"Oh, I don't know, haven't any faith in
these sudden reforms"