The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-07-16
TURNED ADRIFT.

ayes, Uncle Phineas."
"It's nine o'clock, Rosamond. The
clocks just struck"
81 know it, Uncle Phineas."
"Well, take off them logs as hasn't
got fairly to going and pat 'em keerlul
in the chimney-corner, and kiver up
the rest with good coat of ashes.
Dye hear, Rosamond?"
"Yes, Uncle Phineas' with a 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 eff any one hampers with the fast
enings."
"Pll not forget, Uncle Phineas."
George Hand rose from his seat,
with smile, as Rosamond Eos ter'S
troubled eyes met his own.
"Perhaps 1 had better be going"
said he. "Evidently your uncle thinks
my room will be better than my COM
pany."
"You won't mind him?" said Rosa
mond, family.
"Not in the least" said George.
Hes quite right. Nine o'clock is
time to 60 home. I'll come scme otteI
time and finish my visit"
He held Rosamonds hand in his q
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 neal
saying the word for which her heart
had longed all these months, just wher
Uncle Phineas' cracked voice made
itself audible, over the bend of tn,
stairway.
1t was rather hard, but Rosamond's
life had been succession Of mute
self-sacrifces, and this only made al
additional one.
But Uncle Phineas renewed tn,
subject, next day, with some acrimony
II tell ye what, Rosamond." said he
"the candle box is more'n half-empty!'
eyes, Uncle Phneas, it's the middle
Of January you know" said Rosamond
gently.
81 don't keer eff twas the middle O
April" snarled the old man. "Tha
amt no excuse for wasting candles
Arter this, the house has got to b
shut up at half-past eight o'clock a
night, and all the lights out. l ain
goin to end my days in the poor house
not to please all the shiftless youni
fellers in the place. Eff they amt 90
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 no
Uncle Phineas remind her dozel
times day that she was apenniless OF
phan, entirely dependent on him for tn
bread she ate. the clothes she wore? L,
be-sure, there had been a hundred do
lars for her. when the estate of Eliaiil
Foster had been divided; but Uncl
Phineas had insisted on her layin
that aside for rainy day.
Some said it was sensible thrift; som
called it an offshoot of the miserlines
that underlay his whole nature. Bu
the old man deigned no explanation; Il
only shifted a great sniff when he hear
that Rosamond's only brother. Jare,
had put his share into an invention {
his own which he was trying to pus
through the patent Office. "Humph
said he. "Fools and their money al
soon parted"
To-day, however, he had no soont
settled the candle-question, than
broached new topic.
"Give me that there money O your
Rosamond," said he. "I've got a goC
chance to invest it, where it'll doub
itself in year or two"
Rosamond turned red. then whit
She did not speak. Don't ye hei
me?" croaked the old man, impatien
ly. "What are We standing there fol
Get me the money, l sayf'
"Uncle Phineas." gasped Rosamon
driven to desperation, 81 haven't got
IL lent it to Jaredr'
"Lent it to Jaredp thundered the 0
man. "Flung it into the fire, y