Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-04-29

hilh ho" - . Ill pOSoAbICs l0ub Il II hdfC
to see him, ] suppose.
"No," said his sister law, spring
ing to her feet; "I'll see him. I'll tell
him you're not well, that you can't see
anybody"
"That's a good girl" said Pillikin,
with sigh Of relief. "Say that III
call around next week Heaven knows
when ] can pay him now; but say that
I'll call around"
The young widow went around
through the hall into the reception
| room, and found there q young man OF
fine proportions and frank, pleasant
countenance, who Immediately began to
apologize.
:" rang the bell," he said, "but
nobody heard me, and finding the door
ajar, / took the liberty of walking IN.
I'm exceedingly sorry to be the cause of
any trouble. If you'll first tell Mr..
! Pillikin that my name is Brown, he'll
guess the nature of my erra' d.
We all know your errand, said the
widow. "My poor dear brother-in-law
guessed it right away. Around the first
Cf the month there are so many people
coming here upon the same errand !
And I've got a splendid idea what TO do
with them. NV brother law is such
dear good fellow, he's always robbing
, himself to help others he's given me
home, ana my little orphan boy a
! home, and no wonder he can't pay his
bills But I've got piano and stool,
ard lots of music, and n cover that I've
embroidered with my own hands, and
! these must ne worth something con-
siderable"
'Something very considerable, said
the stranger, looking at the young
widow earnestly.
"And I'm going to make the piano
and stool and music aud embroidered
cover go on as far as they will with my
brother-in-law's bills. Now I'll give
you the first chance. Where is your
bill what Is the amouni?"
The young man redeemed, bit his
lips, smiled. "rhere is some mistake, !"
he said.
'Ian't your name Brown, and haven't
you come to collect q bill p
~ have not come to collect a bill
Ny name is Brown, but | don't think
it's the same Brown. There are great
many Browns. II you will tell your
brother n-iaw that am Brown of Ne
vaGa-"
ooh y gasped the widow and for
moment Brown of Nevada thought she
was going to faint. He sprang to her
side to save her from falling, but she re-
covered herself, and her breath and
color again. She clasped her hands,
and looked Mt the young man with her
whole soul in her eyes. "Brown Of
Nevada |" she repeated -"BroWn Of
Nevada Oh my gracious 7
Yes, | hurried over here to correct
an error that had reached your brother
N Jaws ears. ] cid not go into Scrim-
mage's to buy goods; it was only to
meet friend"
"Only to meet friend, repeated the
widow, still deyouring him with her
large soft, pathetic eyes; and you did
not buy yonr goods at Scrimmage's 2"
Certainly not. | shall buy my
goods of your brother-in-iaw, as | always
do"
Gas You always do y repeated the
widow, tears springing to her eyes, her
lovely faca suffused with sort Of rap
ture that really embarrassed Brown.
"Of conrse As you always do And
you are really Brown of Nevada ?" And
here she began to walk to the door,
keeping her eyes still fastened upon the
young merchant.
Il am really Brown of Nevada"
Dear me Isn't it wonderful
perfectly splendid? You'll Just stay here
minute, won't you? while [ go and
! tell Jo."
''I'll stay here any quantity of min
utes;" and out glided the young widow,
leaving Brown in as delicious daze as
she was herself.
$40, Jo," said the widow to her
brother in-law, raising his dejec ed
head, and shaking him energetically by
the shoulder Kate, my sister, my
| dear ones. prepare yourselves. Dou't
let it come upon you too sudden.
"Good heavens T. cried poor Pillikin,
| leaping to his feet; ''what has hap
pened? What is 1t row ?"
"Its-its not the Mr.. Brown with the
bill, Jo."
"Who is 1t what is it Mlsfortunes
never came alone. I'm prepared for any
thing =
"It-s-it's-oh, 10, it's Brown OF
Nevada !"
"Great heavens I" said 10, springng
to the door.
"And he didn't buy his goods Of
Scrimmage; ne went there to meet a
friend, and he will buy his goods oi
you, as he always does, said the young
widow, in crescendo that at last
reached shrill treble; but 10 was al
ready wringing the hand of Brown.
"Apart from the fact that you have
not gone back on me, Brown" said
poor Pillikin, 81 don't mind telling you
that your presence is a reprieve from
all sorts Of miseries but how the deuce
did you find me out ?"
why, one of your general salesmcn
over there-I forget his name told me
you and Hardscrabble had some words
about my going INTO Scrimmage's. He
said you were 80 cut up about it, and
didn't appear to be well when you let
the store so | thought I'd take cal
and come over. 1t was pleasant nignt
that is, / had lots Of things to do, but
hang it, wanted to come, and I am glac
| did p
so am I, Browp-God bless you, Sc
am = Then poor Piliikin, relieved D
the burden of ooubt aid wretchednesi
that had oppressed him, and having
there before him as his voluntary gues
the representative OF worshipfu
I r ,.,... D.I:.I,.., -.