The Baltimore County union., 1884-08-09
remembered where was and straighten-

| never felt so sorry to part with any
one, and she actually put her pretty arm
about my neck and kissed me; just as
if she had known me all her life.
But what does the man do but insist
on carrying her satchel out to the plat
form, and all the time the car waited
he stopped out there talking to her. 1
could not hear what he said, but / saw
her give him something and her face
was red and she was just as angry as
could be, and as the car moved off
called to her; but she never took any
notice, she was SO vexed about some
thing. I just made up my mind that
he made her pay him for carrying out
that satchel, and yet it didn't seem as if
any man could be so mean.
After while the man came back and
sat in the same seat he had occupied all
along, and-would you believe it?-he
had the audacity to try and start up a
conversation with me.
"Have you the timer" he asked, as
impudent as you please.
"Of course l have the time" l an
swered, in a huff. 81 never travel
without it.
"Would you mind telling me what
time it is?" he asked politely.
"Soft soapdoesn't go down with me. !"
I looked square at him as I answered.
"Why don't you carry watch your
self and not trouble the ladies2''
He actually smiled. Then I thought
maybe he would suspicion that didn't
have any watch, nothing but a gold
chain for show, so l took hold of it
Goodness, gracious! My watch was
gone.
l stood rightup in the car and scream
ed at the top of my voice:
"Fire! murder! thieves! I've been
robbed. Stop the cars!"
"Hush!" said the man in front of
me, in a stern voice. "Matilda Jane,
sit down and keep quiet; it won't do
any good to scream that way"
I nearly tainted. He called me
Matilda Jane, and there never was but
one person in the world that gave me
my full name, and that was Hiram Grim
wood. l pinched myself to see if l was
alive.
"That pretty girl took your watch"
he said.
"Never!" I said Indignantly. "You
may be Hiram Grimwood or his ghost,
and if you are you've no right to come
back and tell lies. That DOOR child
'Matlida Jane you haven't changed
a bit," said the dreadful man. "You
are just the same trusting, unsuspicious
soul you used to be. That poor child
is an adventures of thirty. She came
into this car on purpose to rob you."
"My purse isgone," I gasped, "and
every cent l had with me, and check
oh, Tom! Toni There's another
fool in the family. I'll just throw
myself on the track"
1 suppose l must have been tempora-
rily deranged, as they say in juries. fol
the next thing knew was at the door
of the car struggling with some one, who
held my hands so l couldn't move, and
then broke down and cried, for thi:
is what that dreadful man whispered in
my ear:
"Matilda Jane, have enough for us
both, and if you love me as l love you
no knife can cnt onr love in two"
We had hardly talked matters over,
and accounted for each other through
all these long years of parting, wher
we got in town where Tom lived. We
took carriage, at least Hiram-ahen
Mr.. Grimwood did, and we drove righ
to the house, little nest in the out
lines-and got there just as Tom anc
Hattie were sitting down to strawber
ry shortcake big enough for a dozen
They were laughing and carrying or
like two children, and I declare, they
were so glad to see me they nearly de-
voured me off-hand.
"Oh, Tom," walled, "here's you
old aunt, who didn't know enough
when the Lord rained common sense tc
hoist her umbrella-Tom the money:
gone"
"Never mind the money!" cried
Tom. "Money's fool to this. Give
us another hug, old girl! Say aunty.
suppose you introduce your pal -
That wicked boy! But l had for
gotten all about my company.
"It'sa an old friend," said blushine
like goose; "Mr. Grimwood, Tom.' y
ooh, Uncle Hiram" said the wretch
sI've heard of you all my life. YOU'RE
right welcome here" and he pinchec
nv poor arm till the tears came.
postponed telling about the robbery
until we had eaten supper, but | hac
hardly said the first word when Hiram
took out my purse and watch and laio
them in my lap.
"Why, then, Hiram you-you are th'
robber," was the next smart speech
made.
"Not, quite, ma'am," said Hiram
and he didn't seem bit vexed. g
said few words to that sweet child
and she knew it. Now, Tom, your aun
is not fit to travel alone is she?'
"Of course she isn't" said the mis-
chievous Tom. "She needs some one
to keep her from throwing her none.
away. By the way, aunty, my LITTLE
spec has turned out all right. Yo'
shall have that money for wedding
settlement if you're good"
"And you'll be married right her
with u.s." said Hattie, giving me Tom
baby to kiss. :.
"My first" said Hiram, ducking hi
head.
"No fool like old FOOLS" said ]
"Don't muss my collar Hiram"
"Bless you my Children" said Tom
but the tears shone in his bright eye
and his voice trembled.
And we were blessed.
B@r"Why do you want to set such
tough chicken before me?" indignant
exclaimed a fair damsel in a restaurar
the other day. "'Age before beauty
always, you know ma'am," replied tn