The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-02-18
furthest, meanwhile nobody will know


in which was the a. 500 belonging to tn,
minor heirs.
''Where will | keep it, Harry? Be
tween the mattresses"
"Jnst like woman. But declare
don't know where to tell you. The mos
insecure place apparently is often thu
most secure. Any place, dear. but be
tween the mattresses. | leave that t,
you. But you must guard it, if neces
sary. with your life, for remember the
money is not ours, and at all hazards
am responsible. | don't really suppos,
there is the least danger. for no knows
have it. But one ought to take prope
precautions, and beg of you not to adj
nit any tramps while am gone. Tel
Sarah not even to allow them to stoI
long enough to eat biscuit
"All right, dear: we won't let thu
tramps have drink even, and I'll tax,
care of the money, you may besure.'
Harry babe his wife good by and Ma
mic gave up the picnic. At the end o
two days she received telegram from
him, saying he had been detained, ant
telling her to get some one to stay will
her for two days, when he would be a
home. She drove into town and one o
her old friends went out with her. A
the end of two days she had another tele
gram, saying he was detained until The
next day. Her friend went home, ant
in place of Harry came third telegram
and so every day for ten days he wa'
expected home, and every day came ;
disappointing telegram. BY this time she
had become accustomed to her charge
which she had set like a bag of seeC
beans in the corner of dark closet open
ing from her room.
The afternoon of the tenth day was {
hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had gone
up stairs to take nap and refresh be
fore dressing to meet Harry, who was
expected home after the longest absence
he had ever made from her.
After time Sarah came up and tolC
her there was tramp down stairs who
wanted something to eat and who would
not be driven off.
"You oughtn't to leave him minute
alone. Sarah. Go down and watch hin
and | will come down and send him off
She dressed herself quickly and Went
down stairs, surprised to find how late
it had grown. When she reached the
kitchen she found also another messen
ger with another disappointment, but
the next day without fail. Harry wrote,
he would be home. As Mamie turned
into the kitchen she heard the tramp
and Sarah in evident dispute.
Yes" said the fellow, when that
time comes your mistress will have
another ironing table, helping you, in,
stead of wearing her Sunday clothes
every day
An spoilin' everything for me to dc
over. | think | see her. I've work
enough to do answered honest Sarah,
not indisposed to have chat over hel
work.
Mamie found graceless looking fell
low unshaven and addressed, who with q
certain gentlemanly instinct rose up as
she came in.
:" suppose my girl told you we had
nothing for you, and that it will be a
great Kindness if you will leave as soon
as possible"
Yes, she did just that. madam, but
took it upon myself to believe it WASH t
SO urgent. The truth is, I'm very hun
CRY and dead tired, and | didn't believe
but that you would give me something tc
eat, at least I've waited to ask you il
person"
Women are soft-headed creatures
Mamie went and got him something to
eat, herself. The darkness that had been
Increased for some time came down rapid
ly and three burst one of those terrific
thunder storms that gathered so sudden
ly and with such force in this country
After its strength was spent-and | re-
member that it was the most violent oi
the season--there fell steadily sheets OF
rain that brought Rock Creek over the
bridged before morning.
Madam, it's no use talking. You
can't mean to send fellow out in such :!
storm, said the tramp as the three stood
on the porch watching the storm.
I'm sorry, but I've no place for you.
"What, i'll a house like this. It's a
pity there isn't a Granny for a stowaway.
| was walking around it, waiting for the
girl, and it seems to me it ought to he
able to hold three people,
- You are very impertinent. ] tell you
have no place for you, and the storm is
already breaking away"
AS she spoke even the rain came down
i'll binding sheets, and lightning streak
ed the heavens.
WELL, he said, carelessly, "we don t
so much on manners ON the road, but |
know | wouldn't send dog out such a
night as this. I'm not particular chap,
leastwise not nowadays, and I'll have to
insist on your giving me some sort of a
shelter if it's only your dog kennel"
The man spoke with decision. VI ,mie
felt that after all they were really in his
power, and possibly it might be worth
while to do civilly what she would prob
ably have to do at last.
Il will keep you on one condition, =
she said. L" There is a loft to the house,
a sort Of garnet, which is very comforta-
BILE. 1t is closed with a trap-door. and
you may sleep on the lounge there if you
will allow us to lock the door on the out
side
BLESS my stars and carriers - he said
looking at her curiously. Il don't care
when you lock the door,
They took him up stairs, and he elm
ed up the steep attic stairs. The women
shut the door as he politely babe them
goodnight, and they fastened the pad
lock, hearing him chuckle to himself as
he kicked off his boots.
"fd take the key, said Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her ana the
two descended to shut up the house. AZ
ter they had made everything secure they
went back up stairs.
iou must sleep in my room tonight
Sarah" the mistress said Sarah drag.
ged in her bedding and made a pallet OF