The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-12-25

FL YOU AL Uiu1 III nave blO uOlA VI
it, I've got something to say about the
of it, an Alb Strong won't take
a cen less'n than one hundred dollars
for thrown up the contract,
Poor Absalom was powerless. The
iron grip Of fate was upon him, and he
uttered no sound. But with Mr.. Case
was different. He arose quickly to
his feet, jammed his hat unceremonious-
w upon his head and made for the door.
With his hand upon the latch he turned
and said:
81 beg pardon for making any propo-
sitions whatever. Let the contract
stand as it is, and, if the bark is not
delivered at the time specified, / shall
enforce the payment of the forfeit"
Absalom endeavored to expostulate,
but the irate Mr.. Case would listen to
nothing further. He hurried out, sprang
into his carriage and drove rapidly
away without turning his head.
with anger toward his wife, and for the
time being, at least, their relative po-
sitions were changed. who's the fool
nowp" he cried, iercely, stamping
about in a towering rage. EFF you'd
held y're tongue I'd a got out O. that
scrape mighty easy. Now I'll have to
pay that two hundred dollars sure's
fate" and he ground his teeth savagely.
81 think there's sech a thing as
DRAWN the string a leetle too tight"
he continued, as Polly sat in silence, for
once at a loss what to say, "an' I'm
goin' to turn over a new leaf this blessed
Christmas. The Wilder Mason shell
have a cow an pay me when she gets
able; an'I'm goin' to do the fair thing
by poor Jake Smith, too, see if 1 don't.
This grindin', an pinchin', an screwin'
the last copper out of poor onfortunits
I'm done with. Pm sick on't.n
"tWhat do you NEAR by doin' the
right thing by Jake Smith?n questioned
Polly, as Absalom ceased speaking,
though he kept up his walking to and
fro.
..I'l tell We some other time" ejacu-
lated that worthy, looking at the huge
old clock that licked solemnly in the
corner. s.It's most ten o'clock" he
said, an I'm agoin' now, afore I git
hard-hearted agin," and he left the
house with the locke of a man who is bur.
dened with a weighty mission.
IOllf OGIOuG Sdb DIS OnC LII q olCdI
She heard Absalom's voice as he spoke
to. the stolid old farm horse, and then
she looked from the window and
watched him till he disappeared from
sight.
A short drive brought him to the
| Widow Nason's. He left the horse
| standing before the house and applied
his knuckles to the door. He could mo-
have told, for the life of him, whether i
was Indignation at his wife or a desire
to do good, but be it either he felt /.
strange satisfaction in pursuing hi
present III
SIS y'r mother imp" no asked of
little girl who answered his knock.
""Tell her to come to the door. he con
tinued, as the child made an affirmative,
answer, and then as the widow appeared
he said hastily:
Mrs. Mason, I've been thinkin' tina
over, an you a have that cow, an
pay me when yer git ready. I dom
want nothin' to show for it."
Without waiting to hear her thank
he clambered into his wagon and clucket
vigorously to his horse. Turnin.
around in the wagon after he had gon,
a little distance he muttered as he locke,
back:
ssDarned eff it don't make a man fee
good to do a thing O. that sort, arte
all"
Then he drove along in silence till h
arrived at the poverty-stricken home O
Jacob Smith. Somehow his cheerful
ness deserted him as he got out of hi
antiquated vehicle and approached tn
door. He had not met the unfortunat
Mr.. Smith since the time he had beel
compelled to relinquish his home som
months before, and the thought Q
coming face to face with him now wa
not pleasing, even though he brough
cheering news to the inmates of tn
household.
His low rap was answered by a hollow
eyed ~cadaverous man, who locke
almost fiercely into the rugged face c
his hitherto tight-fisted neighbor.
Il suppose I must ask you in," sal
the careworn man as Mr.. Strong nodde
to him, ''but l can't say that your
welcome"
Shouldn't wonder eff l wasn't" II
turned now the ice was broken, and b
followed his not o%vercordial host int
the house.
A sick woman lay upon a bed,
couple of puny children, with pinchet
prematurely-old faces, played wearil
with some blocks before the fire, Will
an older girl was doing the housewor
as well as her youth and lack ofstrengt
would allow.
Absalom Strong looked careful
around the room. There was nothin
of Christmas cheer visible, and then
attempted to make known the object
his visit.
Nov Jake-Mr. Smith, come ov,
here to-day to see eff l couldn't sort
lift you up a leetIe. cause l knowed yc
wuz cast down, an this is Christm;
when every man orter try an NAL
some one happy
: 1t was the first speech of the kir
Mr. Strong had ever attempted, and
, was agreeably% surprised at his own fl
ency, while Jacob Smith, after his fir
start of establishment at such wore
from Absalom Strong, fell to wonderir
: whether it was some h~alf-starved goo
or attenuated turkey hat the clos
j, handed farmer had brought to cor
: ulcLilOI dGc tilG SdCIcu uOlludy.
"Look here now, jake" continue
the newly awakened man, Il want
do the fair thing byyou about that far
, business. Business is business,
course, but l sold the place at a ter'b
good figger, an you'd orter git son
: benefits as well as me-"
, Jacob Smith nodded, while visions
such munificent sums as five or ten,
possibly twenty-five dollars, ros befo
his minds eye,
Everybody says I'm tight an graspi
an mean" Absalom Strong went o
| "but Pm agoin' to try an do the rig
thing by you. 1 made n thousar
dollars slick an clean out. O. that farr
an may 1 be roasted eff 1 don't give "
every cent of it."
Jacob Smith could not credit h
senses. Why" he gasped, Il new
considered the place worth more ths
49,