The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-25

let old man Matthews have seed pOta-
toes an i don't know who We didn' t
help. P'rkaps We think they'll build a
=, ,ai::;':.au. over ye when VI dead.
'TwOn't be nothin' more a slab stuck
up in the poOrhouse buTyin' ground"
AbSalom was somewhat vanquished.
For 4 few moments he held his peace.
then he venturcd to utter few extenu-
ating words.
TAYLOR gin me bill o sale of his
boss. an Matthews let me have Security
on his sheep, an they both paid me Il
good int'rest"
''S'pos'n the hoss'n sheep'd a died, ="
shifted Polly. where'd Y re Guilty ben?
| tell We, Absalom Strong, y're on the
road to the poorhouse," and the irate
mistress of the house turned away, APP
| parently disguised at the lack of thrift
displayed by her partner.
1T don't seem as though I'm so
ter bic careless of money an tender
hearted" unused though
when L foreclosed an turned Jake
Smith off IL his place | couldn't sleep for
some time. I'd a right to; the law was
on my side; but | had money enough.
though Polly WAS determined. Lucky
| did it, though, cause the property riz
to more n twice what twas with before,
50 that ! sold it an made most Il thou
sand dollars clean profit.
Absalom muttered these words over
to himself. and somehow they caused Il
nang to shoot through his not altogether
callous heart. Before his eyes rose Il
vision of a pale-facad weary man.
haraSsed by creditors, buc,icncd with Il
sick family, seemingly a mere football
of fate, and then he stroye to quiet his
uneasy conscience again.
"S'poSen the land had fallen of an
hadn't re. wouldn't q lost! Didn't
have to take my chances?' but the
spec,cr would not down.
He went into the kitchen where Polly
was preparing for Christmas, which
time-honored holiday was ONLY couple
Of days distant: She pat tie roiling-pin
away and busted the -four from her
hands. ''iIow did that contract read
about haulin the BARK" she asked
well" returned Absalom, dropping
into 4 chair and covering down as
though the subject were 4 very painful
one. Il WIZ to have it all hauled by the
middle of January"
WANT there a forfeit?' sharply
qucried the wife.
Yes, there VIZ he returned. some-
what reluctantly. Il wuz to pay $500
eff it wa mt delivered by that time. But
| don b'lieye Mr.. Case'I make me pay
it."
IL -b;f+oJ ,,,oo.;I.- IN L., oI,,;- ODD
she went on about her work. She turncd
to him again in few moments.
you didn't lose nothin' on that
Smith place. anyway" she said, as
though she did not coHsiderhim as alto
gcther deficient in ShrewdnesS. Twas
a mighty lucky thing for You that the
railroad was put through; it jest helped
you out
He made no answer. He felt himself
to he the weaker vessel, and he arose
and went out to attend to some chores.
The next day it cleared of. and Christ
mas came as fair and smiling as could
be desired, though the ground lacked
that fieecy covering without which the
holiday seemed unnatural in the Pine
Tree State.
Early in the forenoon a black-robed
figure came Up to the door of AbSalom
StrOng's domicile; tremulous knock
sounded upon the panel. and the man
of the house ushered in the Widow
Mason.
She was a rather fragile appearing
woman to be left Is the sole support of
4 family. and Absalom dreaded to have
her break the silence. for he had a pre-
monition that she was about to ask
favor, and he had certain aversion to
letting a dollar slip from his grasp unless
he had proof positive that it would re-
turn and bring something substantial
with it.
She threw back her veil. while Mr..
Strong chewcd his shaggy whiskers and
waited. AT length she spoke:
Il know this is not an altogether
proper day TO come on business er-
rand; but | heard that you had COW
that You wished 10 sell-one that would
give milk all winter. Ny COW was III
iured so that she died"
$50 | heered." returned AbSalom.
drumming on the window.pan with
his fingers: Il did have one that |
thought some of sellin'; but think I'll
keep her; she's the best crecter for milk
| ever see
Il am sorry; l had hoped that YOU
would let me have one. and give me
time to pay for it. My oldest boy will
work away from home this winter if
the weather gets cold enough and snow
comes. Then you couldn't really let me
have her?' There was pleading
earneStneSs in the wOman's voice that
moved the man more than he would have
deemed possible.
u would like to Accommodate We"
he began, and then Polly Stalked into
the room.
''Absalom Strong" she SAID. grimly.
don't We 90 an make fool of y'rself
agin. It's fiyin' into the face of Provi-
dence to take such reSkS as you do
Then she turned to Mrs. Mason. ''Ain't
You able to work; can't We find nothin'
to do?"
The pale face of the woman flushed.
Il suppose can" she answered. II
have been helping Mr.. Smiths folks
His wife and children are miserable;
and | helped them what time L had to
spare"
Didn't they payye nothin' ?" queried
Polly.
Il suppose they would have paid me-"
returned the other; ''but Mr. Smith is
all worn out. and is not able to work |
now himself; so L must wait for my
pay" s.
list Jake Smith," asked Absalom,
who had been listening to the CONVEX
sation.
Yes. SIR" answered Mrs. Mason.
Mr.. Strong wriggled about in his