Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-03-14

4 IL, 1861.
to Mamie Clausen at church socials
until they were married in the .Firs
Presbyterian Church the entire com
mhnity gave minute consideration t,
their affairs. Msmie's father, Johl
Clausen, was and is now promineu
commission merchant, generally con
sidered wealthy, and has always live
at least like man Of means. Mamie
was pretty, dashing, q local belle and /,
great favorite. Harry's family lived &
few miles from town, and they, too, ar
people of reputation in the county. Oh
Jack Wells represented us few time
In the Legislature. and has accumulat
ed in one way and another handsome
property. 49, s..r
The marriage was in every way sui
table one. Harry was educated a
Princeton, and although he had at one
time the reputation of being wild he
had sobered down, and was at any rate
such frank, manly fellow that he was
generally forgiven any indiscretion.
ASH say, the marriage was the occa
sion of general rejoicing. Mamie's
father gave her an unusually good senG
of, and the details were sent far ant
wide through the state. Harry hae
studied law, although he didn't have
much natural inclination for it, the old
man thinking his political experience
might serve Harry In that way, and
had settled down into q country notary
drawing up deeds and doing hack-work
Of that sort. They lived about four
miles out of town, and two miles from
old Jacks. He had built them pretty
modern cottage on detached portion
OF bis farm. Harry had his office, an
ornamental little structure, few rods
from the house, and there they lived as
happy as two birds.
| Gradually Harry picked up business,
and finally though his father he became
trustee for the minor heirs. They were
an odd lot of children, mother half
crazy and no end of coal lands and
mining investments. It was a good
thing for Harry, although 1t gave q
naturally lazy man some additional
work. The worst thing was that it
obliged him to go to Scranton now and
then and leave Mamie. You may i'm
agine that there was a good deal of vi
sitting at the house of two such popular
young people, and that fOurmile stretch
OF read was generally kept pretty warm.
When Harry had to go away Mamie
would get in her phaeton and drive to
town, and there was always some of the
young people ready to go out and keep
her company. Harry always insisted
that she mustn't stay alone. For a law
abiding State we have pretty rough
element in 1t, and although we haven't
had much to complain of here, there is
a general sense of uneasiness.
One August afternoon Harry had q
sudden summons to go to Scranton
about suit connected with the minor
heirs. He had recently sold some of
their property and had been making
various collections, which left in his
hands about $4,5OO. When he found he
had to 60 off at few moments notice
he wrapped up bundle of papers and
his money and took them into the
house. Mamie was making prepara~
tions for picnic they were to 60 to the
next day and begged him to wait until
the day after.
"But, my dear child, haven't time
even to go to town and put these in the
bank, so you'll have to take care of
them. I'll try and get back in two
\ days at the furthest, meanwhile nobody
vii! know that the money is here"
| Then he explained to her the value
of the papers and handed her q canvas
bag, in which was the $4,5O0 belonging
to the minor heirs.
| "Where will keep it, Harry? Be-
tween the mattresses ?''
"Just like woman! No. But I de-
clarr don't know where to tell you.
The most insecure place apparently is
often the most secure. Any place, dear
but between the mattresses, leave that
to you. But you must guard it, If me-
cessary, with your life, for remember,
the money is not ours, and at all baz-
yards am responsible. I don't really
suppose there Is the least danger, for no
one knows have it. But one ought
to take proper precautions, and beg of
you not to admit any tramps while I
am gone. Tell Sarah not even to allow
them to stop long enough to eat bis
cult.
"All right, dear; we won't let the
tramps have drink even, and I'll take
care of the money, you may be sure"
Harry .bade his wife gOod-by and
Mamie gave up the picnic. At tie end
of two days she received telegram
from him, saying he had been detained
and telling her to get some one to stay
with her for two days, when ne would
be at home. She drove into town and
one of her old friends went out with
her. At the end of two days she had
another telegram saying he was de-
tanned until the next day. Her friend
went home and in place of Harry came
a third telegram, and SO every day for
ten days he was expected home, and
every day came a disappointment tele
gram. By this time she had become
accostomed to her charge, which she
had set like bag of seed-beans in a
corner of dark closet opening from her
room.
The afternoon of the tenth day was a
hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had
gone up stairs to take nap and refresh
before dressing to meet Harry. who
was expected home after the longest abS
sence he had ever made from her.
After q time Sarah came up and told
her there was tramp down stairs who
wanted something to eat and who would
not be driven off.
She dressed herself quickly and went
down stairs, surprised to find how late
1t had grown. When she reached the
kitchen she found also a messenger
with another telegram which announce
l02 AuOoAoA uAn0pPulAtmcAts UuI Liz
next day without fail, Harry wrote, he
would be at home. AS Mamie turned
into the kitchen she heard the tramp
and Sarah in evident dispute.
EYES," said the fellow, "when that
time comes your mistress will have
another ironing table, helping you, in
stead Of wearing her sundey clothes
every day.
"An' spoilin' everything for me to dc
lover. I think see her. I've work
enough to do," answered honest Sarah,
not indisposed to have chat over her
work.
Mamie found q graceless-lookingf fel.
low, pnshaven and addressed, who
with a certain gentlemanly instinct
rose up SIS 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
I took it upon payselfto believe it WASN'T
so urgent. The truth is. I'm very hun.