Milford chronicle., 1885-07-24
TURNED ADRIFT.

Rosamondi RosamondP
eyes, Uncle Phineas."
"IFs nine o'clock, Rosamond. The
clocks just struck"
"Iknow 1t, Uncle Phineas."
"Weu, take off them logs as hasn't
got fairly to going and put 'em keerful
n the chimney-cOrner, and kiver up |
the rest with a good coat Of ashes.
Dye hear, RosamondP"
eyes, Uncle PhineasP' with a sigh.
"Because you know, Rosamond'
nine dclooh's the time folks was abed."
eyes, Uncle Phineas."
"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 eff any one hampers with the fast
enings."
"Tn not forget, Uncle Phineas."
George Hand rose from his seat,
with a smile, as Rosamond rosters
troubled eyes met his own.
"Perhaps I had better be going"
said he. evidently your uncle thinks
my room will be better than my COM
pany."
"You won't mind himP" said Rosa
mond, family.
'Not in the least" said George.
"He's quite right. Nine o'clock is
time to 90 home. I'll come some other
time and finish my visit"
He held Rosamond's hand in his a
tride longer than there was any neces-
sity for, as they parted; and the girl
sighed softly as she bolted the great
door and adjusted the "cheer' at the
exact burglar-catching angle.
George Hand had been very near
saving the word for which her heart
had longed all these months, just when
Uncle Phineas' cracked voice made
itself audible, over the bend of the
stairway.
1t was rather hard, but Rosamond'S
life had been a succession of mute
selksacrihces, and this only made an
additional one.
But Uncle Phineas renewed thu
subject. next day, with some acrimOny
n tell ye what, ROsamOnd," said he
"Ghe oandle-box is more'n half-emptyP
eyes, 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. 1 ain
goin to end my days in the poor-houst
not to please all the shiftless youn
fellers in the place. Eff they amt GO
homes of their own to set up in,
ain't goin' to furnish one for EN-"
Rosamond made no answer. Wins
comment had she to offer? Did nc
Uncle Phineas remind her a doze
times day that she was Appendices o
phan, entirely dependent on him for II
breadshe ate, the clothes she wOre2 I
be-sure, there had been hundred do
lars for her, when the estateOf Eliaki
Foster had been divided; but Unc
Phineas had insisted on her layir
that asidefer rainy day.
Some said it was sensible thrift; son
called 1t an ofRshoot of the miserline
that underlay his whole nature. b
8 the old man deigned.nO explanation;
only shifted great sniff when he heal
that Rosamond's only brother, Jare
had put his share into an invention
: his own which he was trying to pu
! through the patent office. "Humpl
!. said he. Fools and their money a
soon parted"
To-day, however, he had no soon
settled the candle-question, than
Id preached a new topic.
"Give me that there money o your
Rosamond," said he. ave got go
ms chance to invest it, where it'll doul
&c itself in year or two"
or Rosamond turned red, then viii
She did not speak. "DOn't ye hi
II meP' croaked the old man, impatiei
" ". "What are ye standing there fC
. Get me the money, 1 sayP
"Uncle Phineas," gasped Rosamol
driven to desperation, II haven't got
II lent it to JaredP
Lent to Jaredp Numbered the
man, 'Tlung Il into shs fire. ]