Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-11-03

1nfor1Or1tY. 1t Was G06U, however,
and my ring was answered by pale
boy with very long curls, and very
white stockings, who ushered me with
precocious politeness, into the little
parlor that seemed trying to look its
best.
otis Jenny you wish to see, sup
pose," he said, with that painful look
of maturity that sits SO strangely up
on childhood. "Jenny said sheguessed
it was, and she would be down in
minute. She's coming up for father;
you see father has been Ill for a. long
time-most a month now; and Bell
what do you think Bell did to-day p"
in o confidential whisper.
"She lost something, / suppose"
Indeed, she did-she lost all poor
papa's salary. Somebody picked her
purse, you know, and she thinks it
WAS the man that gave it back to her
the purse without any money in it;
and who made as if he was awful
sorry. don't think that if he had
known that poor papa was very sick
and owed lots of money, that he
would have done such q very wicked
thing, do your"
| was about to answer, quite hot
and indignant, OF course, that [ knew
the young man who found the purse
very well, and that be was above
doing mean and wicked things, when
Jenny. at least | suppose SO, came in.
| stated my wishes neutrality-suspicious.
in g. somewhat grandiose manner that
| was the man who had restored the
purse to her sister. At which she
looked down and blushed painfully;
gave her my card, with my mothers
address penciled upon it, asked her to
call next morning, and walked away
quite indignant and exultant at the
same time.
"Poor thing!" said my mother pitt
fully, eve little think, dear, how much
suffering there is in the city. | used to
know Mrs. Mortimer; I remember her
perfectly well. Bell Faxon, an orphan,
brought up by rich aunt, who was
dreadfully offended by her marriage
with young Mortimer. A good fellow
Mortimer was, but never could make
his way in the world. [ had no idea
her daughters would ever go out; she
must be much broken. Poor things!
A hundred and fifty dollars-it's a ter
rible loss to them"
land Bell Mortimer in g. travelling
dress that cost thirty dollars" echoed
Aunt Prue.
Jenny Mortimer came the next day
with an apology. Little Bob had con-
fessed to all he told the gentleman in
the poor little parlor that tried so
hard to look genteel. OF course, they
were in great distress about the money,
and formed not afew Quixotic plans,
one OF which was to send it in q sealed
envelope, as if it were returned by the
thief, overtaken by remorse.
Mother took Jenny and pursued the
most sensible course-advanced the
one hundred and fifty for six months.
That brought Bell to the house in
fearful gratitude; and then the poor
child apologized for her beautiful
walking dress. Her mother had sun
dry dresses Of rich material, though
old fashioned, bequeathed by her
aunt, who was too angry to leave her
any money, and too conscientious to
quite forget her. Out of one Of these,
they being ample, Bell had fashioned
her walking dress-cutting, making,
and trimming it herself: and it had
cost her nothing but the time, and the
material was richer than anything she
could afford.
81 suppose it was FOOLISH" she said,
with tears In her eyes, Ito appear so
extensively dressed for one in nv sta
ton; but [ do SO like to look well, and
to be in fashion. But, understand me,
! would have cut my hand off rather
than taken money from papa; and
then, to think that it was lost through
my careleesness-all his two months
salaryl"
''Such nice, sweet girl as she isl"
exclaimed mamma, after sitting in
deep thought; ga great deal handsomer
than her mother was at her age; and
to think how beautifully she made
that dress-she'd be treasure to any
man, rich or poor"
"Areyoureally in earnest, mammal
| asked. She looked up; I looked
down, conscious enough, of course
"Oh, William !" in g. low warning voice
was ali her answer.
A week afterward Stackford came
to me with the money, intact. ST
traced the fellow by his yellow kids up
W JOCOOA Ochyy hO G6eAQ. I1O D1CACO
the girls pocket, of course; had fancy
ring, and all the implements. She
must have sat beside him. Very cum
ming, desperate villain-beeen on his
track some little time"
Glow did you get the money!"
"Did you read of the murder in to-
days paper ?" shuddered. "He was
the victim-kiiled in q general fight in
loves coffee-house, accidentally it is
supposed. l was there ten minutes
afterwards, and recognized my man.
He had plenty of money about him,
but only these three ffties-all the
rest in small bills, threes, fves, ones.
Thought he'd wait awhile; thought
there wouldn't be q stir over so small
a sum-"
Not long after Mr.. Mortimer called
to thank me. He had just had an
offer, he said, to go into business in
small way-the first good chance that
had ever been presented to him. He
was pale, handsome mana thor
ough gentleman.
az have also an offer to make" said