The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-10-13
1.-THE WIDDY's OHIST."
A Story of the could Dart"

1t was my own cousin, Dennis Flynn,
that bought the farm from Daddy grippe,
bad luck to him for q miser. II was in
green old Ireland, and it was a dacent
man was Dennis Flynn. He bought the
farm bit by bit, as you may say. A
great mortgage on it at first, and paying
it off little by little, and livery time he'd
get a receipt he'd paste it in a big book
he had, and the book was kept locked
in the secretary that was built in the
corner of the best room. At last heard
him say to Biddy and the children, a
week before that blessed Christmas that
was the last he lived on earth, "We're
beholdin' to no one now. The roof over
our heads is our own. Good luck to it.
There's the last of Daddy Gripe's re-
ceipts."
Then he locked his book into the sec
rotary, and sat down and smoked his
pipe like king. And sure that was
merry Christmas, singing songs and
playing, 1.-THE Wind that Shakes the
Barley" on the fiddle. Who'd have
thought he'd BEEN laying dead and
cowld that day fortnight, and we wax
ing himp
hone! but it was dreadful day. But
to make matters worse, somebody got
into the house and broke open the Sec
rotary, and off with all that was in it.
1t wasn't money so we didn't think
much of it, until one day, when the wild
dy sitting crying, and the childer all
about her, and we brewing bowl of
punch to drown the grief in, in walks
Daddy Grip, and sits down on chair,
an says, Good luck TO You all here"
says he. t IL
"Luck's gone from the door. and
there's only trouble here said the
wildly. lr
''He was decent man thAt's gone"
said old GRIPPE.
!. "Thrue for ye,' says the WILDLY. 'It's
empty the house is" H
Are you thinking of keeping the
house and farmp"
would bird keep her nest wild tho
eggs in it?" asked the WILDLY.
''But will you be able to pay the rent
rogularP' asks GRIPPE.
''Sure it's bought the house was"
said the wildly.
mot bit of itr' said GRIPPE.
HE bought it iv ye!'' cried /.
"Where's your proof" says he.
"The word of an honest man." says l.
''Then he's got a bit of paper" says
GRIPPE. "Just find your proof, will youp"
Daddy GRIPPE" says /, ''the secre-
tary was robbed the day we buried him.
I'm thinking you know that"
"It's none of my business" says he.
"This house is mine. I'll have my rent,
or I'll have the house; now mark that,
widdyr' g.
Poor Wildly Flynn had no proof of the
truth of her story. She hadn't q receipt
of any kind ut ALL at all. She spent her
money in lawyers and did no good; and
one by one she sold the bits of furniture
to live on, until, when the order came
to quit, she had just one big chist left.
She stood with her children in the
room she had been so happy in, the
tears rolling down her cheeks, when in
comes GRIPPE with bailiff.
Cant you lave us alone this bitter
hourp" says the wildly.
"Well, yes. widow" says GRIPPE; "but
there's one thing more. You'er owing
me bit of rent, and the law gives me
your property. I'll take the chist, if
you please. Here's the warrant for it"
The wildly screamed when she saw
the bit of paper, but thought came in
to, my head
"Biddy," says I, 'slaw is law. Boys
tax, Mr.. GRIPPE and his man into the
room yonder, and offer them asup from
the bottle, while / reason with your
mother about giving up the chist."
And the minute thew were rome lust
puts my lips to the widdy's ear, and
says I, "Up with the lid, wildly. So''--
and up it went. Now here's trick
worth knowing, and in / jumped.
''Down with the cover and lock it,"
says /. There is breathing-hole in
the top. Don't be afraid"
And the widdv did as she was bid.