Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-02

.aken in by you! Get out OF mere, you
miserable swindlers, or I'll have you
earted off to the pound! You're tres
passing on private property, do you
hearP Get out, say!'
In his enthusiasm he flung q huge
stone down at the pair; it loosened the
rest, and an avalanche of bricks and
mortar followed. The Hon. Fernando
Carson and Major Sheldon took precip-
itately to their heels, with a sort of
vague idea that the Day of Judgment
had come without warning of any de-
scription, and poor Mr.. Plumer, falling
backward, was half buried in the debris,
from which rose up suffocating cloud
of dust and lime.
my money!" he gasped, my mon
eyr'
And then he recollected no more.
When, vaguely, and by slow degrees,
his senses returned to him, he was ly-
ing on the old calico lounge at home,
his forehead bandaged, and smell of
camphor prevailing all the air-and he
could hear low voices in the adjoining
room.
Dear grandpa" said Patience, Il
am so sorry 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 a judgment on me for my undut-
iful words?"
''Not bit of itr' said Charley Mer-
Ger cheerfully. Don't fret, Pay-the
old gentleman is sure to get better.
He's jolly old file, after all, and we
should miss him terribly, if anything
were to happen to 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 places in the worldP"
II can tell you," interposed strange
faltering voice from the calico lounge.
HE was making fool of himself.
That's how he came to be there"
ats grandpa" said Patience, jump
ing up.
ats the old gentleman" said Char
ley Mercer.
"Come in here, you two," said Eben-
ezer Plumer. '1'ye been pretty near
the edge of the other world, and things
don't look to me as they did twenty
four hours ago. Who was itfound meP"
II did, SIR" answered Charley Mer-
Ger. 81 was coming across lots and l
saw the lime-dust rising up like a col
matter was-and took you on my Shout
der, and brought you homo the best
way could Though, to be sure, you
are no light weight, SIR" he added
with laugh.
That's twice you've saved my life, y"
said Mr.. Plumer. "You and Patience
ought to hate me, Charley, but | don't
believe you do"
ooh, grandpar' sobbed Patience,
whose pretty eyes were red with weep
ing.
7Indeed, sir, we don't" said Charley.
"Where's my coat?" said Ebenezer
Plumer.
"On the chair, grandpa, close by
you," answered Patience.
Hand it to me-"
He took out the bag of gold from its
inside pocket.
Halo" said Charley Mercer soto
pocc, mo wonder he was heavy to car
ry."
Here" said he, "take this, children.
Divide ii between you, and set up your
housekeeping as soon as you please. "
"Grandpa," cried Patience, do you
really mean itp"
"Of course | mean it." said the old
.uan. why shouldn't !? I've got
enough left in Government Bonds to
support me twice as long as l shall
probably live. And after an, | might
have lost it in that swindling mining
company. Don't tell you that things
have altered in my eyes? Take it, and
be happy. And believe l shall be all
the happier myself"
"Oh, grandpa, you're such darl-
ing" cried Patience, tcnderly kissing
him.
I'VE can never thank you enough,
sir" said Charley fervently.
And in speaking of it afterwards,
Ebenezer Piumcr declared that he never
began thoroughly to enjoy himself UNI
til he had got rid of those gold eagles.
at was the best investment l ever
made, when banded 'em over to Pa
thence and Charley" he said with a
chucklc