South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1884-05-09
The Fifty Dollar Bill.-

, tr0 hre to be cOusidered-t the fact that
the best rag carpet, woven by her
own skillful hands must not be worn
too recklessly, the dread possibility
OF sunshine fading out those chair CO.
vers. Mrs. Dean was an econc mist
She believed in making everything
last as long as il possibly could. And
as che made the kitchen her head.
quarters aud sat there knitting, with
her feet comfortably balanced on tho
stone hearth. and the saucepan of ap.
pies bubbling softly at the back. aud
sound of her husbands AK ringing
! from the back shed as he cut aud split
the kindling wood piled up there in
well seasoned logs.
/. She was little, wrinkled-face wo-
man of fifty, with stiff ribbon bows
to her cap, hair that seemed dried up
instead of silvered, and keen blue
eyes that twinkIed as if they had dis
covered the secret Of perpetual mo-
ton. To have money was her chief
end and aim in life. The very nit
tens she was knitting were to be sold
at the village store in exchange for
tea, sugar, spices and all necessary
groceries. "A penny saved is as good
as penny earned was the golden
rule by which she shaped her life.
Sim glad took that money out of
the savings bank, yesterday, said Mrs.
Dean to herself, rs the bright need.
les clicked merrily saway. people
say it isn't quite safe. And one can't
be too careful. But then, again,
there's tho danger OF burglars, though,
to be sure no burglars, she added
with complacent inward chackle,
would think OF looking in the folds
OF the old Clinkerville Clarion news
& paper in the wall pocket on the wall.
It's the bureau drawers, and tho trunks
and the locked up chests that they aim
for. A fifty-dollar bill And all saw.
ing, too, out of the house money
just then there sounded n knock at
the door, and i'll came old DIR. Bridg-
man, rubicund with the touch of the
March wind, ard muffied up in the
furs Of the wild animals Which from
time to time he himself had shot.
i Good day, Mrs. Dean, good day 2
said he; no tEaLk you; 1 can't sit
down I'm q deal too busy for that.
But | heard yesterday that you took
iiity dollars out of the savings bank?
Yes said Mrs. Dean, her face in-
voluntarily reddening, Il did!
/ we are taking up subscription to
, get little lame Dick Dodley cart
and donkey, so that he can 90 around
peddling Tin ware said the doctor.
!, ITS pretty bard for one afflicted as he
, is TO get along, and If you can help us
a little
But can't, interposed Mrs. Dean
breathlessly. 'The money was an in
vestment. 1 don't prop ose TO cut it
, up into little bits
, Its deed Of charity Mrs. Dean,
said the good old man, ito help lame
Dick Dodley.'
: Il dare say said Mrs. Dean, little
irritably. But l never pretended to
be charitable character
The old doctor went away, and the
next visitor was Helen Hurst, q ROSY
girl of eighteen.
/ VI,
Mrs. Dean snid she, 'but Larry John.
son was at the bank yesterday, and he
tells me that you drew out your mo
neyp
WAS all creation there ? thought
| Mrs. Dean.
'But she SAL i. nothing, only knit a.
: way until the needles seemed to glare
: and glitter like points of fire.
Il am trying to get a boarding
place at Mrs. Swipes, added Helen
} coloring, go as to be near tho district
; school, where l am to teach this
, spring. But Mrs. Swipes requires
payment in advance by the month
and unfortunately, we have used all
: our slender means in providing my
outfit. A teacher, you know must be
, dressed decently to command the re-
] spect OF her pupils. But fyou would
l kindly lend me ten dollars
i never lend said Mrs. Dean
: CURLY.
Il will be sure to pay Il when re.
ceivo my first quarters salary, > plead.
ed Helen. And 1 don't know of ans
one else 10 go to-
Its altogether against my princi
: pies said Mrs. Dean, with her face
as hard as it it had been carved oat OF
hickory.
Helen Hurst crept out, feeling hu.
inflated and disappointed beyond OK.
: preston.
. Mrs. Dean chuckled at her own
shrcwdness but she hardly had time
to stir up the apples in tho saucepan
before Mrs. Graham entered with O
little leather covered memorandum
book and pencil.
: Il am looking for charitable people
Mrs. Dean said the Squire's wife
with laugh.
. Then you've come 10 the wrong
place, said Mrs. Dean, frigidly.
poor Patrick O'Hara was killed
yesterday in the machinery of the roll
ing MILL said Mrs. Graham, ignor-
ing her neighbours response. 'He
has left wife and eight children, to-