The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-03-12
THAT ONE DOLLAR BILL.

How 1t dld rain that November night. Non,
of your undecided showers, with hesltating IN
ltervals, as it were. between; none Of your mild
persistent gatherings on the root, but regular
tempest wild deluge, a rush of arrowy
drons and II thunder Of opening foods!
Squire Pratlet heard the rafting up agains
the easements and drew his snug easy char
closer to the tire-a great, open mass OF glim
mcring anthracite, and gazed with sort o
sleepy, reflective satisfaction at the crimson
moreen curtains, and gray cat fast asleep on
the hearth and the canary bird rolled into d
drowsy ball Of yellow down upon its perch.
| This Is snug quOth the Squire; II am
glad had the lcaky spot in the barn fixed
asst week. don't object To stormy night
once in a while when II fellow is under cover,
and there Is nothing IN particular to be
done"
Yes" Mrs Pratlet answered. She was fit.
ting about the kitchen aud sitting room with IA
great blue checkered apron tied about her
waist. III am nearly ready to come in now.
Well, l WONDER" soto voce, ''if that was a
knock at the door or just little rush of
wind"
She went to the door, nevertheless, and a
minute or two afterwards she went to her hus,
bands char.
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 tav,
ern is on the second corner beyond"
But he wants to know If you will lend him
u dollar" said Mrs. Pratlet.
Couldn't you tell HIM no without the cere-
pony Of coming to me! IL it likely that |
should lend dollar or even a cent to Luxe
Ruddllove, Why, Ia a great deal rather
throw ii among yondcr req Goals. No-ot
course not"
Mrs Pratlet hcsitated.
"lIc looks so pinched and cold and wretch
ed, JOSIAH. He says there ,s no one IN the
world o let him have u cent"
"All tn better for him, il he did but know
it," sharply enumerated the old Squire. "If he'd
come ~ ,nat half dozen years ago perhaps
he would pot have become the miserable vag
abond he now is"
1--WE used to go TO school together" said
Mrs. Pratet gently. ale was the smartest
Toy IN the class"
That's probable enough" SAID the Squire,
but it don't alter the fact He is IA poor drunk
en wretch now. Send him about his business,
Mary, and if his time is VI any consequence,
just lot him know he had better not waste it
coming here after dollars"
And the Squire leaned back in his chair, af.
ter positive fashion, as If the whole matter
was settled.
Mrs Pralct went back to tho kitchen, where
Luke Ruddlove was spreading his poor fin
gers oyer the blaze Of the fire. his tattered gar.
ments steaming us if he was pillar OF vapor.
Then I've got to starye like any other dog"
said Luke Ruddilovo, turning away. But af.
ter I'll, don't suppose II makes any difference
if | shuttle OH OF this world to-day or tomor.
row"
"Oh, Luke no difference to your wife,"
"Shc'd be better off without me-" he said
downhcartcdly.
But she ought not TO be-"
Ought and Is are two different things, Mrs
Pratet Good night; amt going to the tav.
ern, although I'll wager something the Squire
thought was"
And isn't 1t natural enough he should think
So Luker
Yes, yes, Mary; don't say but what it Is,
murmured Luke in the same distracted tone
h, used during the interview.
stop" Mrs. Pratiet called to him as his
hand lay on the door latch, in a low voice.
Here's a dollar, Luke Mr.. Pratlet gave to
me for an oiclOh To 20 IN front of the parlor
stove; but will try and make the old one last
a little longer. And, Luke tor the sake of
your wife and little ones at home, and for the
sake OF old times, do try and do better. Won't
yOu.'
Luke Ruddllove looked vacantly at the new
bank bill in his hand, and then at the bloom.
Ing young matrOn who placed il there.
Thank you, Mary. | will. God bless you"
he SAID, and crept ont into tho storm that
regned without. Mrs. Pratlet stood looking
into the kitchen fire
III dare say I've done foolish thing, but,
indeed, 1 could not help it, IL he will take il
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 tina, unfor.
tuuale gone at last,'
"Yes."
ITO Stokes tavern, supposc2''
Il hope not JOSIAH"
"I'm afraid ITS past hoping for SAID tho