The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-02-08

lY, tnat the mole was an inhabited one,
as it was the only one he had not peeped
into and watched beside before. Julie
lett him there and crept into the little
ray of sunshine again, trying to think
what she shonld do to obtain food
enough to keep her mother and herself
alive. She bad sold everything that they
could spare from the destitute house
There were the silver spoons, to be sure
pewter ones would answer their pur-
pose just as WE'LL and she might sell
them for good deal of money. But
what would her mother say if she should
do so? How dreadful she would feel, for
they were her mothers spoons, and she
thought so much of them. Still it would
be better to do that than beg, Julie
thought. Next week Mrs. Smith, who
hired rooms in their crazy old house,
would pay her rent, and they should
have something then for little while;
and perhaps by that time her mother
would be we'll and able to sew again.
She supported herself and Julie by her
needle. The house they lived in was
their own. jules grandfather built it
when he was young man; and, though
it was old and rickety, it was quite COM
Portable, and looked quite respectable.
1t was all they possessed in the
world; but they had managed
to live comfortably until Mrs.
Carlton was taken suddenly i'll, and had
been i'll oh, such long time, through
the dreary winter months. And how
many bills there were to be paid now,
and where was the money coming from
with which to pay them? Julie had taken
care of her mother during the whole time
of illness, and q wonderful little nurse
she was, so tender and so soft-footed.
She had such tender little hands, and
ministered to the sufferers wants in such
skillful manner. But she was nearly
worn out with the care and the labor
which had been heaped upon her small
fering from hunger. It was no wonder
that she was Respondent.
II wonder what Muff is up to?' she
said to herself, hearing faint noise from
the pantry. "I'll go and see.''
She opened the pantry door, but there
was no Muff to be seen. Julie was
frightened. She looked behind pans and
jars, moved piles of plates and tall
pitchers to see il she couldn't catch
glimpse of his black coat but in vain.
Then she took chair and stood on tip
toe in it to look over the upper shelves,
thinking that his adventurous disposition
might have led him up there. Then it
suddenly occurred to her that he might
have squeezed his'plump little self into
the rat-hole, though how he could have
done so she could not tell. And peeping
in, she found that he was there, sure
enough. She could just discern his
beady eyes twinkling through the dark
ness.
80, Muft," said she, chow did you get
in there, and how are you ever going to
get out again."
II don't know" mewed Muff. But it
WAS merry little NEW. as if he were not
at all concerned about it,
He was playing with something that
ratified Julie wondered so what it was,
and though she kept calling him, he
seemed kby no means inclined to come
out. She was distressed, for she was
afraid that he never could get out; he had
such plump little body, it looked al
most twice as large round as the rat-hole.
Il know what will bring you, sir, if
you can get out" she said at last. It's
too bad to deceive you; though, isn't it,
poor fellow"
Then she hurried to get his saucer
the saucer he had eaten his suppers
from ever since he began to eat at all
and pretending there was something IN
it, held it near the hole, calling him at
the same time, with her most persuasive
accents.
Muff put his head out, but looked as if
he had suspicious that trick was being
played upon him. Then he drew it in
again and began to play with the thing
that ratified once more. Julie took
milk pitcher, but it had no milk in it,
Only water, which she began to pour into
the saucer. Muff heard the familiar
sound, and his doubts began to grow
less. His head appeared in the hole
again, but he had something III his
mouth-the facinating plaything which
he had discovered in the darkness OF the
rats habitation; and, though there was
breakfast in prospect, be had no idea of
giving it up. 1t was an old steel bead
purse, ornamented with tassels at each
end. which dangled delightfully."-.
"What in the world have you got
there. Muff?" said Julie, taking it away
from him, though he held it tightly
with his sharp little teeth.
1t was quite heavy, and there was
something that shone through its
meshes, and made clinking sound at
either end. Julie proceeded to inves-
tigate, with beating heart, and what
do YOU think she found? What but
four shining fifty dollar gold pieces
She gave utterance to perfect shout OF
~. 40 ar ,Ath N