The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-05-27


had periled them all in his talk with Hard
scrabble, how he had been tempted to drow
them all in his cowardice while upon theierr
boat and, above all, tor his sweet sistera.laS
to pelt him with the crushing name of HOW
of Nevada, the author of all his misey-l
was too much for poor 10 Pillikln. He Nep
not as woman, whose tears cOnsol andcOm
fort as they flow, but as a strong man weep
when the first kcenness Is added to the tCOn
OF despair.
Pretty Mrs. Pilllkin got down on her knee
and wept on his shoulder, her sister crIedupOi
his other shoulder, and all the little PilikIn
set up howl, none Of them knowing IN III,
least what they were crying about say, poo
10, whose tears ceased to flow when he ECunC
how contagious they were.
In the midst of all this uproar man mpunt
ed the stoop and rang the bell, but it wa
Bridget's day out, and in all this nolsy dis
tress none Of the Pillkins heard the bell
Pillikins had IN his agitation left the door
adjar and nobody had thought to shut it. 81
the stranger walked into the little reception
room hoping that he would soon have az op
portunity of making himself known. Wher
all this sobbing fell upon his ear he was an
noyed and shocked and scarcely knew what &c
do Through a crevce in the door that sapa
saw 10 PillIkln sitting by the table, his head
bowed upon his hands, one pretty youngwo
man dressed IN some soft, warm, gay material
sobbing on one of his shoulders, and still
younger and pretter woman dressed in black
sobbing on the other shoulder, and around the
room, all about the floor and the chairs, we're
innumerable children bowling at the top OF
their lungs. Pillikins hastily dried his lears
and composed his features, and began to soOlhe
his family. He took one of the pretty women
on one knee, the other on the other knee, and
gave each Of his ten fingers TO the young
brood, hushing and coaxing them into calm.
There, there" said joe don't cry any
more. I'm heartless brute to have worried
you 80. But couldn't help it, feel hitter
now; but never was 50 completely broken
up in my life. | don't mind telling you that
I've done very imprudent thing. 1t has
weighed like mountain OF lead upon my
heart and conscience; but | feel more Culra-
geous now that know that you love me we'll
enough to share the burden. But | ought to
have kept my temper. A man ought to think
of his family when his situation is at stake,
and 1t was enough to make Hardscrabble lose
decency he ever had to see Brown of
Nevada 20 into Scrimmage IL Co.'s"
Both the women started and turned pale
30, Sue!" faltered the wife to her sister
Brown of Nevada
20, Katew gasped the young widow to the
wife-"into Scrmmage ~ Cost!
Brown of Nevada they repeated together,
shaking their heads mOurntully.
YES, Brown of Nevada" repeated 10, also
shaking his head mournfully, but feeling con.
soled, In spite of himself, with his famly's
full appreciation Of the disaster that had be.
a hn of
flowed the bitterness OF my cup, Brown has
always been my best card 1t was pleasure
10 sell to Brown Most of these men would
skin flea for Its hide. But there's nothing
mean about Brown"
There's something very mean in his going
10 Scrimmage's," SAID Mrs. Pilikin.
II call 1t a very dlshonorable action" said
The widow.
NO" said Pllllkin, mot dishOrable, exact
y; but must say if he wasn't satisfied with
ne, he might have bought of some other con-
,ern and not gone over to Scrimmage's right
before Hardscrabbes eyes"
Here something like distant cough was
heard. They all looked around, but thought
i must be one of the children.
ut was like tlinging red rag in the face
Of mad bull" continued 10. "Hardscrabbe
was white with rage, and didn't know what
he said. Pm sorry now | allowed myself to
reply as did. But it was a bitter blow to
NE to know that Brown of Nevada, OF all other
men In the trade should. But tell you
there's somebody in the other room" Poor
o turned pale again. I'm afraid it's Brown
with that bill; | told him to call around.
can't pay him now; It's impossible. But III
nave to see him, l suppose"
NO" said his slsterln-law, springing to her
eet; an see him. III tell him you're not
we'll, that you can't see anybody"
That's good girl" SAID Pillikin, with a
Ugh of relief Say that I'll call around next
week. Heaven knows when | can pay him
low; but say that I'll call around"
The young widow went around through the
lall III the receptlon-room and found there
'oung man of fine proportions and frank,
pleasant countenance, who Immediately began
o apologize.
81 rang the bell, but nobody heard me, and
Walking in. I'm exceedingly sorry to be the
ause Of any trouble. If you'll first tell Mr..
'Illikln that my name is Brown, he'll guess
he nature of my Grand"
ave all know your errand" said the widow.
My poor dear brother-in-law guessed 1t right
way. Around the first of the month there are
o many people coming here upon the same er-
and! And I've got splendid idea what to
10 with them. My brotherInlaw is such a
lear good fellow, he's always robbing himself
o help others; he's given me home, and my
title orphan boy home, and no wonder he
ant pay his bills. But I've got piano and
tool, and lots of music and cover that I've
embroidered with my own hands, and these
must be worth something considerable"
something rery considerable" said the
tranger, looking at the young widow earn
silly.
"And I'm going to make the piano and stool
nd music and embroidered cover go as far as
hey will with my brother.inlaw's bills. Now
III give you the first chance Where is your
ill what Is the amount?"
The young man Redeemed, bit his lips,
miled. There Is some mistake" he said.
Isn't your name Brown, and haven't you
ome TO collect a bill 2"
IL have not come TO collect bill My
lame is Brown, but don't think it's the same
Brown. There are Il great many Browns. If