Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-07-14

thinking.
s.Ill do it'' he said. aloud I've
had If in my mind for some time. I'll
send these Starlings about their bust
ness. I'll put an end 70 these everiast-
ing impositions of theirs. They only
care for me just the length Of my purse
They hate me, every one of EN-. | can
see through 'em. dull as they think me-
As he sat there little lad came 10 the
door, with a yellow envelope in his hand
"A telegram for you. said he.
twenty-five cents, please
Mechanically, AIr. McElroy paid the
money. and he put on his round silver
mounted spectacles, as the little lad sped
away under the lilac bushes, which, were
just beginning to put on their fringe Of
purple plumes.
IL wonder who it can be from7' said
he.
1t was very brief. 1t said;
Stocks have fallen. Your money is all
gone. Sorry, but could not stand against
market II. RAVEN q 90
III. Raven & Co. Yes. that was the
name of the Nassau Street firm to whose
care his diligently boarded fortune had
been consigned. He read the brief dis
patch over and over again, as if it were i'm
possible to comprehend its full meaning
Il don't understand he repeated TO
himself don't understand. thought
those stocks were safe enough. only
believed what those scoundrels told me
themselves. Stocks falleni My money
all gone Oh, what will become OF me
now2"
His head fell forward on his folded
arms on the window-sill: he uttered
groan which seemed to come from the
very depths of his heart.
81 am poor man. he faltered 'As
poor as old Jim Watson, the clock
member; as poor as Matthew Startling
himself. The savings of years have all
gone at once; and am poor man"
''Uncle McElroy, don't mind it, said
the cheerful voice Of Matthew Startling,
when at last he had mustered courage TO
tell his troubles, and sat with his head
supported on his hands at the table, with
a face drawn and pinched as if he had
just recovered from long sickness.
'I'm doing we'll at my trade just now.
Herbert Long has promised to take me
into partnership at his new shoe store, at
Bloodville Corners, next spring, and you
shall never feel the loss of your money
while | can handle an awl or draw a
thread"
"Never feel the loss of my money!
vaguely repeated McElroy "The man
talks like fool"
But, nevertheless, there was a grain of
comfort in the words.
''And, after all, Uncle John, coaso-
lingly whispered Mrs. Startling, money
isn't everything You'll see how nicely
we shall contrive to live. I'll take u
boarder or two, if you don't object, this
summer Your comfort shall not be in
terfered with in the least degree; and we
may even manage to save little at the
years end. F"
The tears came into Mr. McElroy's
dim, blue eyes.
" You always did have good heart,
Sarah, said he; but | wonder how you
can have any patience left with me- after
the times I've scolded you for half
pound extra of coffee, or nutmegm
"And | am going to luke in dress
makingm declared belinda. "Oh, you'll
see, Uncle John-you will live like a
gentleman. You needn't think that
we have lived on your generosity all
these years, not to to try to repay it
now
q! GenerosityG said Uncle John.
hardly certain whether the words were
In serious earnest
But no, there was no covert light of
sarcasm in Delindas bright brown eyes
as she bent caressingly over him. 1t was
real love, real gratitude, that sparl1led
there.
cts just as they all say declared
James, the stalwart young farmer We
owe everything to you, Uncle John, and
we don't forget 1t. And if you don't
want tobacco crops raised on the place,
I'm blessed if you shan't have your own
way. Not a tobacco leaf shall be grown!
But really think we can do pretty we'll
with vineyard on the side hill, now
that grapes are bringing such a profit,
instead of using it as sheep pasture.
And Lucy brought him letter
1t is from Mr.. Grover, uncle, !" said
she. He offers to give US singing les
sons for nothing, if l will help with the
Sunday school music; and then, pretty
soon, shall be able to earn money for
you, too. Dear uncle, y with tears In her
eyes, 1--WE have all loved you, only we
didn't dare to tell you how much. If
if you would only let me kiss you, Uncle
Johnr'
The old man clasped her in his arms
with tears streaming down his wrinkled
cheeks
"I..don't care for the money" he fall
tered. LET the money 60, if you will
IT, - Al. 4 L.