Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-11-27
talk ont on the old stone steps leading

talk ont on the old stone steps leading
mp to the porch. The very old steps
where, ! guess, Nellie's mother and
father sat together and talked of love
and the happy, undiscovered future
during the days of their honeymoon
long, long ago. | used to think
sometimes as | watched John and
Nellie walk how that il would be q
pity TO spoil that match, for John was
just good enough for Nellie, and Mel
Jewell, she was entirely too good for
anybody except John. All these re-
Elections and many more, pass ed
through my mind while Nellie sat in
the parlor aud talked to her miserly
old lover, aud Aunt Margaret sat in
a low rocking chair with her knitting
lying idle on her lap. while uncle con-
timed to read the news.
BY and by another loud knock re-
sounded through the house, and pres
emily Andrew announced visitor to
see Mr.. Brandon Immediately. /
looked at Aunt Margaret she had
clasped her hands nervously together
When uncle left the room she asked
btAttCnlHSlN VI Tue
Il wonder who it can be, Margie,
can you think -
i knew her nervous state of anxiety,
and determined at once to find out
about the visitor, and, if possible, re-
lieye her fears. | crept softly into the
back parlor and up to the folding doors,
which, owing to an arrangement of
heavy curtains, was often left alar,
through which hoped to get sight of
the visitor | had no sooner stolen up
to the door than ] heard footsteps in
the hall, and uncle ushered his visitor
into the room. 1t was too late to re-
treat; what could l do? To pass
through into the front would be to in
trude upon Nellie and her company; TO
come out from behind the curtain would
be TO appear like spy; so there i stood
stonestill and waited. The first few
minutes | VAS too much surprised and
uneasy about my own situation TO be
aware of what was going on in the
room, when at last | caught the sound
of the strangers voice he VAS saying
something like this:
at is very unfortunate piece of
work. sir. | beg leave to sympathize
with you and your family; but business
is business, You know. | was sent
here TO settle tins matter in respect
able manner, if possible, and | must
proceed TO do II at once. Your son,
am sorry to tell you, sir, but perhaps
you know he has lived a little fast of
late-rather too fond of wine and evil
company"
Yes. yes" uncle said rs if impa-
tient 10 get at the worst
IL am sorry to tell you, sir" the
stranger continued but | think it hap
pened while he was under the influence
of liquor, and likely surrounded by his
evil companions. To Ice brief this is
the whole story: Your son has broken
into the money-safe and robbed his en-
ployer of -, ZOO.
Robbed 0 God, my boy rob
ber.7
j shall never forget the groan with
which uncle sank back upon the C hair,
from which he had risen at that start
ling news.
Il own it looks bad, sir, but have
come to see if We can; arrange it some
how. His employer, As YOU know is
your friend. He bid me say that he is
not only willing int anxious to shield
your family name from disgrace and
your boy from the penitentiarv, if it
can possibly be done But the mon
cv must be efunded-there's no other
course"
Five thousand dollars impossible !"
uncle exclaimed. 1T would be to take
everything-to ruin my family"
Il suppose nothing can be done
then, the stranger said deliberately and
arose rs If to depart.
But, wait moment; let me think, "
uncle said, leaning his head forward on
the table by which he sat BY and by,
getting up, he SAID Il will see what
can be done, and left the room. Twas
trying in vain to think what he could
be about, when suddenly he re-entered
the room. accompanied by Mr.. Wells.
Alas, | thought OF that misery old man
as our only means of help Then they
all three talked together in low tone
of voice. / could only understand O
word now and then Of uncle's tremulous
voice. Puttingit all together, / know
he meant this: Joe must not he sent to
the penitentiary-tha would kill Aunt
Margaret The farm-the old home
stead know was so dear to him must
go before that should be done. Would
Mr.. Wells advance the money? TAX
ing uncle's arm he drew him aside, so
near by the curtain beneath which
stood concealed | thought they could
almost hear my breathing; his voice
was low, subdued to whisper, but
could hear the name of Nellie; some
thing should be done if Nellie would
consent. Great heavens / thought and
shuddered, can 1t be possible he will ask
for Nellie's hand in return for that
VIII uncle sell one child to buy another
IL cannot tell; 1t shall not be unless
she is willing" Uncle said, and left the
room. 1t seemed like an age to me that
! stood there trembling with indigna-
ton and horror. If she is willing
Will they let her be the sacrifice tc
save themselves, and then say that she
is willing; but then | thought of poor
Aunt Margaret, with bowed head ano
broken heart; something must he done
for her Yes, after all, it would be &
noble thing for Nellie to do.
just then she entered the room with
her father | caught sight of her face
she knew it all. | had never seer
her look like that before. | am sure
Uxcle did not realize the extent of the
sacrifice his daughter was about tC
make. / would not wrong him by sup
peeing that he did.
7 IN