Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-04-05

man thinking his political experience
might serve Harry In that way, aud
had settled down into q country hack
work of that sort, They lived about
four miles out of town, and two miles
from old Jacks. lie had built them q
pretty modern cottage on q detached
portion Of his farm. Harry had his
office, an ornamental little structure, q
few rods from the house, aud there
they lived rs happy as'two birds
Gradually Harry picked up business
aud finally, through his father became
trustee for the minor heirs. They
were IN odd lot of children, with q
half crazed mother aud no end OF coal
lands aud mining Investments, II was
u good thing for Harry, although 1t
gave u naturally lazy man some addi'
tional work. The worst thing was
that it obliged him to 20 to Scranton
now and then aud leave Mamie. You
may imagine that there was u good
deal of visiting at the house oftwo such
popular young people, aud that the four
mile stretch of road was generally kept
pretty warm, When Harry had to 60
away, Mamie would got into her phae-
ton and drive to town, and there was
always some of the young people ready
to 90 out and keep her company. Har-
ry always insisted that she mustn't stay
alone. For law-abiding State we
have u pretty rough element in it, and
although we haven't had much to COM
plain of here, there is general sense
of uneasincss.
One August afternoon Harry had an
unexpected summons to 60 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 $4,000. When he found
he had to 90 off at n few moments
notice, he wrapped up Il bundle OF
papers and his money, and took them
into the house. Mamie was making
preparations for picnic they were to
90 to the next day, and begged him to
wait until the day after.
"But, my dear child, haven't time
even to 60 down and put these in the
bank, so you'll have to take care Of
them. I'll try to get back in two days
at the furthest; meanwhile nobody
will know that the money is here
Then he explained to her the value
of the papers and handed her canvass
bag, in which vas the $4,000 belong
ing to the minor heirs.
"Where will I keep it, Harry? be-
tween the mattresses"
"Just like woman! No. But |
declare 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
necessary, with your life, for remember
the money is not ours, and at all haz-
yards l am responsible. don't sup
pose there is the least danger, for no
one knows l have it. But one ought
to take proper precautions, and l beg
of you not to admit any tramps while
am gone. Tell Sarah not even to
allow them to stop long enough to eat
biscuit"
"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 goodbye and
Mamie gave up the picnic. At the
end of two days she received telegram
from him, saying he had been detained,
and telling her to get some one to stay
at home. She drove into town and
one of her old friends went home with
her. At the end of two days she had
another telegram saying he was detain-
ed until the next day. Her friend
went home, and in the place of Harry
came a third telegram, and so every
day for ten days he was expected home,
and every day. came a disappointing
telegram. By this time she had be-
come accustomed to her charge, which
she had set, like bag of seed-beans,
in 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
absence he had ever made from her.
After time Sarah came up and
told her there was tramp down stairs
who wanted something to eat, and who
wouldn't be driven off.