The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-12-17

"Afr. Du Ca,r:
"DeAR sIa: How is your sorluar and are
you suro you are quite we'll? And your
aunt. Mrs Slap Derrick. wishes you would
VT te. Mr. Dayton 4 10 so unsatisfactory. He
never will say anrtning but that you are
& 5Pt thar 81 Sort as'ins Ike bricks NJ e. I sGnsta'ps
And though this may not be a model note
in style, and certainly was written in a
schoolgirl band, IN. Miller herself, not
the least exaeting Of persons, would have
been satisfied with the reception that Tom
gave it, though he never answered for fear
of sending them smallpox in an envelope
during his whole six weeks Of trial.
But the weeks themselves were done at
last. TOMS gorilla restored-no great
benefit to society in that. He was but a
poor, drunken creature at his best; and
Tom came back gaunt and pale. Molie,
who had been most anxious for his coming,
when he did come, turned shy. She was
close by her he looked formidable. She
wished that she had never called him a
hero, never written him any notes. Tom
grew desperate n spoke out:
e! wish that l. was back again with tho
gorilla"
"Whyp asked Mollie, with a little start.
because then you were kind to me.
Now you seem to hate me-"
II am sure l do not hate you," answered
Mollie. raising her eyes to his, and the eyes
said SO much that Tom grew bolusr.
"But I am not satisfied with that, Mollie.
l want you to love me-"
Moliie looked ny. at him quickly, and
away the hand that re had taken, and
failing, dropped her head on his shoulder.
my darling" murmured Tom, in a rap
ture.
them both start. 'Mary Millerl I wonder
you are not ashamed Of yourself"
Mrs. Miller had come upon them un-
awares. Mollie uttered a faint shrek. Tom
nr,f bic ar,, rr,,af1- about 1a- -.se% .~I
explained that be wished to marry her
Mrs. Miller, being in a towering rage at
the downfall of her de1ign on the Slap
Derrick diamonds, retorped with something
about "beggarly s~cape-graces."
"And why beggarlyF' inquired another
shrill voice, Mrs. Slap Derrick coming in in
great wrath. 1Let me tell you, madam,
fourths of the Slap Derrick estate; and Mrs.
Tom Du Cgur will wear the Slap Derrick
diamonds."
OF course in half an hour everybody IN
said, and Mrs. Slap Derrick a said; and
Tom.
Tom smiled family.
"Pluck has done its work. It is time for
nv luck, Dayton.,'
"StuffI pr said Dayton, much vexed
In the morning Tom was i'll. By night
he was worse.
"COlQ ana 1aGlgu0," SAID the ngu1n
'Small-pox," limited the foreboding. sTy.
phoid," pronounced Dayton.
Typhoid it was. Doctors were brought,
and doctors from the first shook their heads.
Generally that is as good f5r the patient as
if Death himself lad nodded at him. But !
really tb.dK that DIR. Wiseacre's hens and
haws may be said to have saved Toms life.
FSte must always drive him into a corner
to make him stand at bay. He kindled, as
he had done before, at the apparent despera-
ton of his prospects, and vowed that he
would get up.
Everybody set up q shout of horror. Tom
persisted.
81 am convinced" said he, sthat it is not
typhoid-ncthing more han cold, watching,
and my luck making a last attempt to trip
me; and ! I'm not going to be tripped by it
so you need not look at me as If I was
marked for Paradise per Deaths express.
shall not stay in bed. Aunt Slap Derrick,
and I will not be doctored, Mrs. Miller; and
ladies, l really beg your pardon, but I am
going nov to make my toilet"
The last was irresistible, and Toms we'll.
wish5rs retired, leaving him the field.
Everybody prophesied, by way Of revenge,
that lac was a dead man; but Tom only
laughed at them and got well under their
very noses. After that he was set up as an
oracle as well as a hero, and ruled every
body, married Mollie, and is considered by
that lady and Mrs. Slap Derrick, to this
day. as aparagon of men-aIl thanks to
pluck!-N. y. World.