Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-07-24
TURNED ADRIFT.

Rosamondl RosamondI'
eyes, Uncle Phineas."
ITS nine o'clock. Rosamond. Tht
clocks just struck"
Il know it, Uncle Phineas."
well, take off them logs as hasn't
got fairly to going and put EN- keerful
in the chimney-corner, and lliver up
the rest with good coat of ashes.
Dye hear, Rosamond Z"
Yes, Uncle Phineas!w with sigh.
."Because you know, Rosamond,
nine o'clock's the time folks was abed.
Yes, Uncle PLineas."
And be sure you lock the big front
door and bolt both the bolts, and put a
cheer agin the hinges, so't it'll tumble
over ef any one tampers with the fast
enings"
'I'll not forget, Uncle Phineas."
George Hand rose from his seat.
with a smile, as Rosamond Fosters
troubled eyes met hiI own.
perhaps | had better be going. g
said he. "Eyidenf y your uncle thinks
my room will be better than my con-.
as..ry.''
"You won't mind him p stid Rosa
mond, family.
Not in the least" said George
He's quite right. Nine o'clock i;
time to 60 home. III come some othel
time and finish my visit"
He held Rosamond's hand in his
tritie longer than there was any neces
sity for, as they parted; ana the cir
sighed softly as she bolted the great
door and adjusted the cheer at tht
exact burglar-catching angle.
George Hand had been very neal
saying the word for which her hear
had longed all these months, just wher
Uncle Phineas' cracked voice mad
itself audible, over the bend of tn,
stairway.
1t was rather hard, bIt Rosamond'
life had been a succession of nut,
Self-sacrihces, and this only made al
additional one.
But Uncle Phineas renewed tn
subject, next day, with some acrimony
Il tell We what. Rosamond." said he
the candle box is more'n half-emptyl'
ayes, Uncle Phineas, it's the middl
of January you know" said Rosamond
gently.
Il don't keer eff twas the middle o
April, snarled the old man. "Tha
amt no excuse for wasting candles
AFTER this, the house has got to b
shut up at half-past eight o'clock a
night, and all the lights out / ain
goin to end my days in the poor house
not to please all the shiftless youni
fellers in the place. Ef they amt go
homes of their own to set up in,
amt goin' to furnish one for EN-
Rosamond made no answer Wha
comment had she to offer? Did 40
Uncle Phineas remind her dozeI
times day that she was penniless or
phan, entirely dependent on him for tn
bread she ate. the clothes she wore? Tt
/ be-sure, there had been a hundred dol
lars for her, when the estate of Eliakir
Foster had been divided; but Uncl
Phineas had insisted on her layin
that aside for a rainy day.
Some said it was sensible thrift; som
called it an offshoot of the miserlines
that underlay his whole nature. Blu
the old man deigned no explanation; Ii
only shifted great sniff when he hear
that Rosamond's only brother. JareC
had put his share into an invention G
his own which he was trying to pus
through the patent office. "Humph
said he. Fools and their money ar
soon parted"
To-day, however, he had no soone
settled the candle-question, than b
broached a new topic.
Give me that there money o YOUR
Rosamond," said he. "I'ye got goo
chance to invest it, where it'll doubl
itself in a year or two"
Rosamond turned red. then whit
She did not speak. Don't ye hea
me2' croaked the old man, impatient
ly. "What are ye standing there for
Get me the money. | say"
"Uncle Phineas," gasped Rosamon'
driven to desperation, Il haven't got |
IL lent it to Jaredp
Lent it to Jaredr thundered the ol
man Flung it into tue FIRE, ye