The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-01

"But she dld, SAID JOnn, between
two mouthfuls "she said she hadn't
got it,
"Why, of course, she said as much
as that. You didn't expect her to say
that she'd got it, did your" rejoined
the landiady, with fine scorn. "But
she didn't speak up violent and bold,
as you'd expect an innocent girl
would
"But she was innocent all the time
you know"
81 amt so over sure about that"
replied Mrs. Nash, with shake of her
head. "It's q queer business"
"Now, look here,' shouted John,
reused by this persistent injustice,
'what is there queer about it, should
like to know Here's my wallet"-
slapping his pocketbook--"and / told
you where found it, And you know
as well AS do that l never put it un-
der the pillow, and that girl of yours
had no more to do with it than babe
unborn. It's her pardon that l ought
to beg, and you, too. So l hope,
madam, you'll drop the subject and
Just make it up to the poor thing by
being extra kind, as it were, for the
bad day we made her SPEND
Mrs. Nash seemed by 70 means
Modified by this not over judicious ap-
peal, and as socn as her duties as hos
tess would permit, left the room NUT
tering under her breath something that
John did not catch. He was too
sleepy to care particularly about the
matter, and presently went to bed,
when dreamless slumber drew her veil
over the days vicissitudes.
Hurrying out to the barn the next
morning in the best of spirits, low,
sobbing sigh called his attention to a
bench outside the kitchen door, where
sat figure crumpled up into forlorn
little heap, in which he recognized the
pretty maid of the day before. She
wore her bonnet, and bundle lay be-
side her. Her face was hidden on her
arms, which were crossed on the back
of the bench.
"Why, what's the matter7" said
John. turning back.
The girl looked up with start. 81
beg your PARDON she faltered W'm
just going didn't mean to stay SO
long"
"Going Wherea"
81 don't know where" she said, de-
jectedly. 'I'd try for another place,
only there doesn't seem much chance
of getting one without a recommend"
"Do you mean to say that they are
sending you away from here !"
eyes"
"But in the name of goodness, whya"
81 don't know. Mrs. Nash says she
don't like to have servants about who
are suspected of stealing The blue
eyes filled again as she spoke, and she
hid her face.
"By George! 1 never heard of such
injustice in my life shouted John,
"Now, Lucy, if that's your name, you
| just sit still where you are. Don't you
stir or move till come back. I'll see
Mrs. Nash, III put things right
To put things right seemed easily
enough to a strong, hearty man, with
justice and argument on his side, but
that is because he does not calculate
properly on those queer bitches and
crochets of human nature, especially
woman nature, which have no relation
to justice and fair dealing, and are un-
affected by argument. Mrs. Nash
proved impervious to Johns choicest
appeals. Her mind was made up she
"didn't want to hear no more on the
subject; finally her temper rising,
"what business was it of HIS she de-
manded, "what help she kept, or if she
kept any al all He'd got his pocket
book back accounts were square be
tween them there was no further call,
so far as she could see, why he should
meddle in her concerns This upshot
of the interview was that John flew
out of the kitchen with his face as red
as fire, tackled his horse, threw valist
and feed bags into the wagon, flung
the amount of his reckoning on the
table, and addressed Lucy, who, pale
and terrified, stood bundle in hand
prepared for flight, calling out:
: Snow, then, my good girl, you've
lost one place by my fault, and In
darned i'll don't offer you another
Will you jump into my wagon and g
home with met My old woman.
been talking this long piece back o
: getting smart girl to help her along
when she's laid up with rheumatics
!, so you're just the one we want. Shell
,, treat you fairly enough, I'll be bound
and you shall have whatever you wer
!, getting here. And if you behave your
, self, you'll be well used, not turned ou
! of doors for nothing; I'll engage t.
, !, that; it isn't the way up in our parts,
with vindictive look at the landlady
who stood rigidly planted in the door
} way. "We don't set up to be extr'
, Christians, but there's little honest
and decency left among us, which
; more than can be said for all places
Well, what do you sayi Yes or nj
There's my hand on it, if it's yes"
( He held out his broad palm. Luc
hesitated, but for moment only,
ayes, / will" she said. "rve NJ
where else to go, and you seem kind
!, Another moment and they wer
driving off together down the mapl,
shaded road, whose yellow and erin
g son boughs danced overhead againi
i "October's bright blue weather" Thel
t was peace and calm in the fresh still
n ness of the early day. Gradually
n little color stole into Lucy's pa
: cheeks, and Johns hot mood ga,
s place to his wonted good humor an
e cheer.
u "You've had no breakfast, III bet
n he SAID with smile ''And no mo-
u have |. / was so mad with that W
l. man that | couldn't swallow mout
full, but now / begin to feel shal
d enough. Wen stop at the next ia
2 ern, Southwick, isn't it Five mil
$ and a half, Can you hold out t
II then 2"
n "Oh, yes, indeed" with gratef
1t look out of the blue eyes.
D. Johns tone grew moro and mo
'e friendly.
n ~ 4