The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1882-01-21
.Blisrelsnea.
THAT ONE.DOLLAR BILL.

How II did rain that November night!
None of your undecided showers, with
hesitating intervals, as it were, between;
none Of your mild, persistent gatherings on
the roof, but regular tempest, wild del
uee, a rush OF arrowy drops and thou
sand Of opening floods!
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 sort Of sleepy satisfaction at the
crimson moreen curtains, and gray cat
fast asleep on the hearth, and canary bird
rolled into drowsy ball Of yellow down
upon its perch.
"rhis is snug," quoth the Squire. I'm
glad had the leaky spot in the barn fixed
las, week. Idon't object to a stormy night
once In a while when 4 fellows under
cover and there's nothing particularlarly
to be DONE" .....
"Yes," Mrs. Pratlet answered. She was
fitting about between the kitchen and sit
ting.room with great blue checkered
apron tied about her waist. alan, nearly
ready to come in, now. Well, wonder"
soto szvce, ''if that was knock a:
the door, or just little rush Of the wind"
She went 10 the door, nevertheless, and
minute or two afterward she went to her
husbands chair.
aloe, dear, it's Luke Ruddilove," she
said, half appretensively. The Squire
never looked up from his reading.
"Tell him he has made a mistake. The
tavern is on the second corner beyo d."
"But he wants to know IL you will lend
him dollar" said Mrs. Pratl.t.
"Couldn't YOU tell him no, without the
ceremony Of coming to me' Is it likely
that should lend dollar, or even cent,
to Luke Ruddilove? Why. Id great deal
rather throw It among FOUNDER red Goals.
No-of course not"
Mrs. Pratlct hesitated. fs-
"He looks SO pinched and cold and
wretched Josiah. He says there is no one
in the world to let him have cent"
"All the better for him, If he did tut
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 miserable vagahond he now
is"
We used to 90 to school together" said
Mrs. Pratlet gently. "IIe was the smart.
est boy in the class" ....
"That's probable enough" said the
Squire, "but It don't alter the fact. lie is
poor, drunken wretch now. Send him
about his business, Mary, and II his time Is
Of any consequence, just let him know he
had better not waste it coming here after
dollars"
Mrs Pratlet went back to the kitchen,
where Luke Rudtiilove was spreading his
poor fingers over the blaze of the fire, his
tattered garments steaning as IL he was a
pillar Of vapor.
"Then I've got to starve like any other
dog!' said Luke Ruddilove, turning away.
but after all, don't suppose it makes
mach difference If shuttle out OF this
world to-day or tomorrow"
"Oh. Luke, no difference to your witei"
"Shed be better off without me-" he said.
down heat teddy.
"But she ought not to be-"
"Ought and is are two different things,
Mrs. Prat'tt. G.no night. amt going
to the tavern, although I'll wager some.
thing the Squire thought was"
Sand isn't it natural enough that he
should think so, Luke?"
ayes, YES, Mary, don't say but what it
Is, murmureti Luke. in the same detected
tone he had used during the interview.
"Stop,' Mrs. Pratlct called to him, as his
hand lay ON the door. latch, in a low voice
"fiere is dollar, Luke, Mr.. Pratlet gave
me tor an ol'cl"th to go in /, ont OF the
stove; but will try and make the old ON.
last little longer. Luke, for the sake Of
your poor wife and little ones at home, for
the sake Of old times, try and do better
Won'tyou:"
Luke Ruddilove looked vacantly at tn.
new bank bill in his hand, and then a, the
blooming yoang matron who had placed |,
there.
"lhank you, Mary, l will God bless
you" he said. and crept out into the storm
that reigned without Mrs. Pratlet stood
looking in the kitchen fire.
~ dare say have done a foolish thing.
but indeed could not help it. II he vii,
take it home and not spend it at the tavern,
shall not miss my oil.c,otl,.''
And there was conscious flush on h.r
checks as ifsh+ had done something wrong
when she joined her husband in the sitting |
room.
swell said Squire Pratlet, "has that nm.
fortunate gone at last:"
YES"
no the Stokes tavern / supposed"
~ hope not, Josiah"
. 'l'm afraid it. past hoping for" said til.
Squire, struggling his shoulders H.. |