Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1882-11-09


Virgins desk and ask him To settle accounts
with thi. exceedingly conscientious young
woman, and provide her with ticket of
leave" and Barker turned abruptly on his
heel.
Nettie's nerve and Indignation carried her
through the next few moments, and soon
she had closed the factory door behind her.
I'll know I've done right, and shall find
something to do. hope Flo won't be eery
much overcome !"
Her sister looked sp surprised at her ear
Is return. On hearing her story she gave
a half hysterical laugh.
"Iou match my experience, Nettie. That
drummer from the Worcester firm was
here. Do you notice anything strangeS p
N-ttie looked around, and beheld show
case and rope-lines nearly emptied.
I'VE hadn't the money ready YOU know"
said her sister. $50 the goods had to 20. Tie
was 'vewy sahwy'- 'disagH.eabl. dewty'-
and oil that sort of thing, of course. Such
'genteel kid gloves he wore. and such a
'genteel case he brought to pack the things
in | sat in stony silence. working away.
and never lifted finger to help. Meai. OF
me. wasn't it ?"
Nettie slowly sank into the little splint
rocker and stared helplrs.y.
Nov" said Flo, proceeding briskly with
her brushes, "the question is what to do
next | shall get two quarts Of New Or
leans molasses. and start a candy trade to-
morrow.
II suppose nigh, take fat basket, and
peddle the sticks after you make them.
said Nettle half bitterly. II might possibly
strike gold mine. IN the shape OF rich
old lady or gentleman who - fond OF taffy,
and would like TO adopt a likely barn abou,
N, age"
Il hope ue won't be tempted to eat too
much Of II ourselves" said the proSldrnI
Flo.
"Where's the tin pail, said Net,ie. jump
ing up wI,h alacr,,y, "Oh, here it IS. I'll 20
10 DIckermAn's for the molssses right of.
You will need every spare minute for your
hrushr. now-till YOU teach me how 10
make them too. After all. don't see Why
It won't be Just a. respectable to sell candy
a. anything else. If We deal in pure goods.
and give honest MEASURE. I'm sure authors
sell their books and artists their paintings.
It's only question OF degree.
And even monarchs and great statesmen
receive eompensatiuns." laughed Flo.
The mola,ses vas soon bubhling merrily
in the porcelAin-lined kettle. and until the
time Of constant stirring should arrive Net
tie sat down by her sister to take lesson
IN brush making"
I'VE can take few dollar, Of your pay,
Nettic, ana lay IN a small stock OF candy to-
morrow. The school children Will soOu ind
Il out can takc some comfort IN having
YOU at home. for time, at least Why
can't we indulge IN good supper, tonight.
As long a. Nou have YOUR pa, I'm getting
rrck less. Let's have oysters"
Agreed =" said Nri,ie. delighted to see
Flo ready iiur onccl for comparative
luxury. ".crimp-tion' has its limit, .'
"Oh. oh ?" eried her sister. in mock hor-
hur -l.abors Of Max Muller How can
you NeIiie? There the eandy nearly
boiled over Run and .tir it quick 90
In the midst Of the stirnng and the fun.
enter Mrs Mellavlne in state of UNIV onted
eAottement-)
"Sueh surprise. m, drar,2 What do
YOU think But. first Of all, suppose You
haze heard that Caleb Stone is dead ?"
She dropped into the nearest char. and
famed herself with her brown check apron,
though il was wIntry March outside.
WHY, no :" exclaimed the girls in =
breath. while Nrttle held her spoon suspend
ed IN the air, Slth ropes Of taft, gracefully
pendulous theT.trom.
81 must beg n a, the very beginning" said
Mis-. Mrllayine, "or ! shall be sure 10 forget
something | ought TO remember. lie died at
1 O'Clock this morning, but Mrandy couldn't
hear 10 have q mess Of half strange women
around, she said, she begged me 10 stay
on though I'm free TO confess | sched to
come and tell you as quick as ] decently
could. | can't get over the turn II gave me.
TO think that all this time-(hut | shall be
sure to let Il out before | get around TO II
after all, II I'm not carefully When went
up las, night he was asleep. and Mirandy
va. sitting by the FIRE, and the little fellow
mad gone TO bed. I'm so glad you've come,
Melayine,' SAYS she, for Caleb is that set
on seeing you that va. afraid be might try
to dress himself to 20 to your house II you
didn't come. He's been out of his head
more or less all day, but the doctor gave him
another small dose Of morphine, and he's
resting easier now She hadn't more than
20, the words out Of her mouth when he
turned his head on the pillow and opened
his ewes.
els that YOU, Mellavine !?
"'ies, sir said |, going up to the bed.
'Mirandy," said he, you 90 out and sit BY
the kitchen FIRE till want you again. and TO
humor him she went. Just as quick as she
shut the door he clutched me BY the arm and
pointed 10 heavy black box that stood on
the bureau.
There There it is " says he Its
clutehing at my throat as if it had fingers !.
Take it away Take it away !" he almost
shrieked.
"'Yes, yes, presently said to pacify
him
why don't YOU take it The KEY hangs
around my neck. Here, unlock the box
and take away the-psckage. It's clutch
ing me, tell you Be quick Be quick :"
"l did just as he told me you've got to
with ravin' man, you know not expecting
to find ANYTHING important. unlocked the
box, and the first thing see-oh, pretty
near let it out that time, but you've guess
ed it, like as not. l declare, don't
know when shall get over the scare it gave
me :"
tFlo and Nettie exchanged quick, startled
looks, and drew nearer to Miss Mellayine,
while the molasses bubbled unheeded in the
porcelain kettle.)
Tell them,' he says, that I've not had
an hours peace since | locked it up there.
Their fathers sudden death put it in my
head-the temptation came like whirlwind
then, oh, the misery Yon know the rest.
Afterwards could not confess. They are
good girls-good girls. John Raadalrs
daughters could not be anything else. Tell
them to keep it all-ail 1t is doubly theirs
have so wronged them, do not want them
to pay another dollar on the old account 1t
is the only reparation can make. Beg them
TO keep my secret. don't deserve that they
should have mercy on my good name, but,
oh for Mirandy's sake and little Joe's beg
them to show ii. They are good girls. Now
call my wife, he says, and drops his head
back on the pillow without another word.
There, I've tried to tell it, word for word,
just as il happened-and, you dear things,
nobody could be gladder to put il into your
own hands than my very own self
but thar miserable mans looks and motions
will haunt me to my dying day, verify be-
lieve."
She drew from the bosom Of her calico
dress packet which she placed in Nettie's
hands. The lost money! as the reader has
doubtless guessed.
"From Loren Sackett of Ashfeld to Caleb
Stone, 81 800, payment for live stock. Sent
by kindness Of John Randall
For twn voars h,d.lor in ralak Ctnua,s