The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-07-22
JOHN HARPER'S FORTUNE.
BY WILLIS H. COOKE.

"Past seven o'clock, and John not
here!' said Mrs. Harper, wrinkling her
pretty brows. wonder what can be the
reason2" n-.. aver. i-..t It
Tea was all ready on the little round
table in the middle of the room; the cop
per kettle hummed merrily on the GOALS
and bunch of buttercups and wild col.
umbine on the table betrayed the fact of
Mrs. Harper's country walk that after
noon.
Nellie Harper and her husband, John,
had been married inst two years, and
happier couple it isn't often ones lot to
see. They had married on an income
that would scarcely furnish gloves and
boquetS to some of Nellie's fashionable
school friends; but with strict economy,
and carefully looking after the odds and
ends, they had found it sufficient. and
not until the baby was born did Nellie
begin to feel uneasy as to financial mat
ters. .a1t
John" said she, 1--WE ought to lay up
little for baby's sake"
$50 we ought, my dear" said John,
cheerily, land so we wilt"
"Our income is very small" sighed
Nellie.
lyon never said so before, Nellr'
"Ah, but we never had baby to care fer
before!" nodded wise little Nellie.
So John took extra writing from the
law stationer at night, to earn an odd
penny for a littlesavings-bank book; and
Nellie spent her leisure hours in writing
fhnciful sketches for a New York story
paper, which paid ber dollar apiece
money that seemed like fairy gold to the
young authoress as it came in week by
week; and yet the savings.bank account
so slowly grew
John" said Mrs. Harper. 1--WE have
fifty dollars lain up. haven't WEI"
"About that amount" said Mr.. Harp
er, looking up from his law copying.
.Lsura Dor's husband tripled his cap
ital by buying mp Swamp Island shares
on Wall Street last week. and selling ont
again when the market promised we'll.
am sure if you were to trust the money
to him you might double it in"
"And I am sure, Nell. it would be a
great deal easier way to get rid of it to
throw it down the wellr'
"Johur'
mo speculation for me. my dear" said
the young man. 1--WE seen quite enough
of that sort of thing. Small gains and
sure-'hat's my motto"
Then you'll never be rich man in
the world. John" retorted his wife, slight
" piqned.
Il must take my risk of that. dear"
Aud 80 Mrs. Harper's attempt at in
spring her husband with speculative am
bition fell fat.
But she didn't leave of thinking Of il,
for all that; and tonight. as she sat wait
ing for her husband, and watching the
sleeping cherub in his cradle. she wove
an unconscious web of fancy about the
little slumbering form
If we were only rich! II baby Charles
could but have college education. and
60 abroad, and take his place with the
wealthy and honored of the land" she
murmured.
For every true woman is as ambitious
in her heart as Napoleon Bonaparte him.
self. And all of a sudden masculine
footstep rang on the threshold, and John
Harper burst into the room. flushed and
eager and painting with the unwonted
haste he had made.
'John, what has bsppeued9"
'Wbat do you guess, pet?"
Your salary has been raisedl"
Better than that"
My story has been accepted by the
Weekly Star'i"
Better than that"
Il give it up. said Nellie. "Oh. John,
tell me at Once--what is it2"
"COusin Sam is dead. and he has left
} me all his money!
cousin Sdmr repeated Nell, bewild-
cred,
"Tbat eccentric old fellow who lives
in P" said John, sinking into chair
and tanning himself with the bsim Of his
hat. my third cousin. He disinherit-
ed his daughter because she didn't marry
, to suit him; made at least half dozen
wills, and burned them all at last, leav-
ing codicil that makes the fortune mine,
HuTnh We're rich people at last, pet!
Eighty thousand dollars. at leastl Three
: cheeTsl Aud give 'em with will!'