Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-03-24

who was employed to assist with the
housework and clean the store came
down from her attic chamber and be-
gan to clean up behind the counter of
| the post-office department, as the
portion reserved for that purpose was
called, while Mr.. Alcot removed the
| blinds and prepared for business, Cos
siping in his usual familiar tone with
| the trusted SERVANT" who was not
| by any means treated as such.
In Western country towns such dis
tinctions are not tolerated by the en-
ployed.
"And who's been fussing with the
mails, wonder?" suddenly exclaimed
the woman, handing Mr.. Alcot two
letters she had found on the floor.
''That's Farmer Slayback's mail, F"
rejoined the postmaster, as he stepped
quickly so the section of pigeon holes
and examined the Slayback "box."
Chow on earth did they get on the
floor? Look, Martha, there ought to
be another one. It's not in the box I!
It's registered money letter.
With increasing uneasiness he began
nervously to hunt. The floor was
searched thoroughly, every letter. box
scrutinized and each superscription
read, as if there might be a possibility
that the letter had been misplaced.
although | know positively the three
letters were together in the right box"
the now exceedingly anxious man
exclaimed.
"Maybe Willie put it away" suggest
ed the woman.
"No. | had the letters in my hands
after he drove away to bring Hat
home"
A frightful thought suddenly assailed
him; his rudy face turned white. He
clutched his beard in tremulous
| fashion, as if to steady and repel the
| painful idea developing in his mind.
impossible" he muttered. chill
wouldn't do g. thing like that! But
what's become of that letter, registered
containing two one hundred dollar
bills? Aud where's Bill?" AS if in
answer to his cogitations two quite
tranquil young people entered the
store.
"Thank God!" was Mr.. Alcot's men
tai ejaculation. "Bill's not lit out
with that letter, anyway
"Where do you think he was, faith
err" laughingly exclaimed Hattie.
Mr.. Alcot looked sharply at his clerk
and replied shortly: dts to chopped
he can explain to his mothers salts
fa action
The youngman responded with dep
recating smile.
81 am sorry have occasioned you
all such uneasiness," then added jest
ingly, 81 hope you did not imagine
that had eloped with Mr.. Slayback's
money letter."
Somebody did, for it's gonel" was
the terse reply.
ooh, father! you are joking!" cried
Hattie.
Willie stared in amazement, then
ran to the letter box, followed by the
youne girl.
Its not there, I tell you! Martha
picked those two up from the floor;
the registered letter is not to befOund,
high or low. Give an account Of your
self young mani"
"Why, Mr.. Alcot, can you-do you
suspect me?"
"Give an account of yourelf, | say"
was the wrathy reply.
''Tell father all about it," tenderly
entreated Hattie, gazing compassion
ate1y at the young man, who turned
pale and red by turns, tears of indigna
tion and modification yelling to his
flashing blue eyes.
Mr.. Alcot turned angrily upon his
daughter.
'What do you know about it, Miss
Have you two fools conspired to
give me a shock? A wretched joke, l
sweari'
''Oh, father! You are unjust. I'm
sure Will knows as little about the dis
appearance of that letter as do. [
want him to tell you about his pat
ent."
81 don't want any foolery. Where
have you spent the night, Bill ?"
GIN our barn"
GIN your barn." sneered Mr.. Alcot.
GA likely storyl"
The man bit his lips to keep down
rising anger, when Hattie interposed.
"Please, father, listen. Willie has
been at work q long time on g. patent
stopper-his own invention. At night,
when ne leaves here, he works at it in
the barn, so that his mother won't be
GASoOA OCNs ACVOU 1ASAO, cNIOAAOCSh ~
was late when he left here after bring
ing me home, he said he felt just like
work. He has secured patent rights
on a crude design and was anxious to
get the perfected model done and sent
away and everything all secure before
he said anything to anyone. This
morning the finishing touches were put
on it, and after it was packed he sat
over it thinking"-Hattie looked at
him with a loving smile at this point
"and then hefell asleep. That's where
| found him"
"You? How did you know?'
ooh, knew all about it from the
very frst?'
ooh, indeed! IF you know SO. much,
just tell me what has become of that
letter. was the sarcastic reply.
"Perhaps the rats have got in the
house again, she suggested.
"Rats Oh, yes; no doubt. Two
legged rats, who need money to secure
patent rights and make MODELS"
sneered the troubled man, with irrita-
ton.