The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-02-27

Wv ny, Sdlu EUeneZeT 10 uinsell, ~
Mr.. Carson, the President of the Gold Min
lug Company. And that other one is Major
Sheldon, the Secretary"
He was about TO scramble out of his re-
treat and challenge their attention, when the
sound of his own name decided him to remain
perdU minute or two longer.
ave almost knocked the side of the house
down." said Mr.. Carson, sharply" land no
one is there! | wonder what can possibly
have become of the old fool?
II hope he hasn't taken fright, said Major
Sheldon. "Confound this tin cup the water
leaks out at one end faster than / can swal.
low it at the other"
"Its essential that we get the money into
our own hands at once" said MIR. CARSON
1.-THE steamer sails at noon tomorrow, and
we must sail with her. And money we must
have"
ooh, l dare say it will be all right" said
the major, serenely. "He's such an egregious
old blunderhead that he'll believe whatever
you choose to tell him. How he will stare,
to be sure when he finds out that there is
neither gold mine nor Gold Mining Company
- that he has just lined our pockets with his
funds Ha ha! hal"
"But he'll never find that outw shouted
Mr.. Ebenezer Plumer scrambling to the top
of the ruinous old wall, so that his greenland
yellow countenance glared up on the two
unconscious conspirators from frame of
thistles and weedy-like trees. "He may be a
fool, but he amt fool enough to be taken in
by you Get out of here, you miserable
swindlers or I'll have you carried off to the
pound You're trespassing on private pro-
perty, do you hear? Get out say !"
In his enthusiasm he flung huge stone
down at the pair-it loosened the rest, and
an avalanche of bricks and mortar followed.
The Honorable Fernando Carson and Major
Sheldon took precipitately to their heels, with
q sort of vague idea that the Day of Judg-
ment had come without warning of any de-
scription-and pc r Mr.. Plumer, falling back
ward, was half buried in the debris, from
| which rose up sutfocating cloud of dust and
| fine lime.
"My money p he gasped, my money!
And then he recollected no more.
When, vaguely and by slow degrees, his
| senses returned to him, he was lying on the
aged, and smell of camphor pervadng all
| the air, and he could hear low voices in the
| adjoining room.
Dear grandpa" said Patience, sim SO sor-
| ry l said what did to him Because he has
| brought me up and educated me, and | owe
everything to him. Oh, Charley, do you
think that this is judgment on me for my
undutitul words?"
mot bit of It'll said Charles Mercer
cheerfully. Don't fret, Pay-the old gentle.
man is sure to get better He's a jolly old
file, after ALL and we should miss him terri
bly, if anything were to happen him But
you heard yourself what the doctor said
that it was nothing but scalp wound. How
do you suppose he came to be there of all the
places in the worldy"
L uT oil ~ int CTR falt ar
ing voice from the calico lounge. "He wa:
making fool of himself That's how he came
to be there"
"Its grandpa" cried Patience, jumping
Its the old gentleman" said Charley Mer
Ger.
"Come in here, you two" said Ebenezel
Plumer. "Pve been pretty near the edge o
the other world and things don't look to mt
as they did twenty four hours ago Who wal
it found me ?"
II did, sir" answered Charley Mercer. {"
was coming across lots and | saw the lint
dust rising up like column of mist. So
ran to see what the matter was-and tool
you on my shoulder, and brought you hom
the best way l could. Though, to be sure
you are no light weight, sir" he added will
a laugh.
"That's twice you've saved my life" sale
Mr. Plumer. You and Patience ought t
hate me, Charley, but don't believe you do
"Oh, grandpa" sobbed Patience, who's
pretty eyes were red with weeping.
Indeed, sir, we DON'T" said Charley.
"Where's my coat ?" said Ebenezer Plum
err.
"On the chair, grandpa, close by YOU" an
swered Patience.
Hand it to me-"
He took out the bag of gold from his insid
pocket.
| (Hallo," said Charley Mercer, soto coce, "n'
wonder he was heavy to carry.0
Here" said he, take this, Children
Divide it between you, and set up your hous
keeping as soon as you please"
"Grandpa," cried Patience, "do you reall.
mean it?"
"Of course mean it, said the old man
"Why shouldn't l I've got enough left il
government bonds to support me twice a
long as | shall probably live. And after all
| might have lost in that swinding Mininl
Company. Don't tell you that things hav
altered in my eyes? Take it, and be happy
And believe shall be all the happier my
self"
"Oh, grandpa, you're such darling" crie
Patience, tenderly kissing him.
1--WE never can thank you enough, sir,
said Charley, fervently.
And in speaking of it afterwards, Ebcneze
Plumer declared that he never began thor
oughly to enjoy himself until he had gotte
rid of those gold eagles.
ut was the best investment | ever mad
when handed 'em over to Patience am
Charley" he said, with chucke.