The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-04-28
BETTY'S INVESTMENT.


There was only dry bread and butter and
few stewed prunes for tea. The working
classes do not, as rule, indulge in very
luxurious table, and Mrs. Powers was rather
iow-spirited this evening. The little boys
were studying their lessons by the light of q
melancholy kerosene lamp, and Betty, who
had come home early from the store, was
mending the last new jag in Tommy's over
coat.
Betty Powers was pretty girl of eighteen,
with light brown eyes, a wholesome COM
plexion, and lips that were always curling
into smile, and as she worked she SUNG
Idle snatches of the last new ballad that had
struck her fancy.
II think, Betty" said Mrs. Powers, sol
EMMY pausing with plate of leathery look
ing cheese in her hand, " that you're max
| ng mistake "a great mistake"
" How, mother 7" asked Betty.
In drawing your little savings out of
the bank"
But, mother"
Hear me, Betty" said the old lady,
| judicially. You've worked hard to earn
this money, and you may need it, some
day."
oh, but mother, here is Uncle Joab
sent to US, almost, as ii would seem, by
Providence, to be cared for" pleaded Betty.
He must do something, land everybody
used to say, up in Medlarton, that he was a
very good jeweler."
Why didn't he stay in Medlarton, then p''
sourly Intercepted Mrs. Powers.
Mother, you know Already gently rea-
soned Betty. "Times were dull. Uncle
Joab was no doubt behind the age, and the
6rst he knew, tho old mortgage ON his place
WINS foreclosed, and all the business gone.
A man of sixty-fye don't recover himself
readily from such blow as that And now
here is this jewelry business of old Sufferus,
In Grand street, to be sold for three hundred
dollars down."
Jewelry indeed /" snuffed Mrs Powers.
"a few rusty pairs Of spectacIes, some
screws in q drawer, half dozen old clocks
that won't go, and show case with two
cracked glass covers I" af
If it was much more than that, we could
hardly buy the lease and good will for three
hundred dollars, said Betty g Bot Uncle
Joab must have something to do, and he is
SO pleased at the prospect of store in New
York; Mother, don't look 30 sorrowful.
am young and strong. can work. But
poor Uncle Josb is on the down-hill of life.
Oh, mother, you don't know how sorry fol
him feel, when he comes in with his poor
old gray head dropping, and that troubled,
uncertain look in his eyes He seems like
lost child grown old.
Mrs. Power shook her head.
/" That's you all over, Betty said she.
You never could be content to let people
take care Of themselves. When you were a
child, you were always bringing little dirty
children into the house to give 'em bread
and butter, and now you are spending your
lime and your money on something that
isn't much more sensible. I do wonder when
you'll cut your wisdom teeth II Andrew
were to hear Of this
Betty's fresh cheek crimsoned, the rose
red lips and the hazel eyes laughed in uni
SON.
He would be sure to approve Of It
mother" said she. :. There isn't bit OF
miserliness about Andrew x
Mrs. Powers laughed too. Betty's argu-
ment had certainly Boftened her, land when
Uncle Joab came in, shuffiing across the
hoor in that pnrblind way which one often
sees in people accustomed to the use OF
strong magmfying glasses, she actually
moved chair close to the little stove fol
him, and cordially babe him be seated
"Tve been to look at the now store,
Elizabeth" said he, wistfully eying Betty
There's a woman scrubbing the floor and
cleaning the front window to-day. And to-
morrow shall mend the broken show cases
myself. You--you'll be sure not to forget
that three hundred dollars, my dear? They
won't give me the keys nor let me get OF the
Did stock until that Is paid down."
It shall be ready for you at noon to-
morrow, Uncle Joab," said the girl, cheer
fully.
"You're good girl, Elizabeth, very
good girl, !" said the old man. IF / was
rich, I'd mike my will, and leave you all
that I'm worth. But poor mans will
piff r. with q blowing out Of his breath
" what does that Represent 2"
Betty laughed.
"Come, Uncle Joab," said she, /" tea Ia
seady now, and this win can wait. Move up
your chair and let me help you to some d
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