The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-12-14
heart sink within him as he faced
her stern. uncompromising gaze.

| JeSI u lcW, Salu Elidhlli, Hltct
ing desperately on the first section
of his speech, that I've brung dowr
here to sell for Mrs. Hall. 'Ther,
amt much market up that-a-way
you know, Loisy."
And" he added to himself
goodness knows how glad I'd be tt
sell 'em if l had the chance! | aim
lyin' no how"
Miss Ellis gave prodigious sniff
Don't you fetch that truck inside
Of the door yard, 'Liakim." said she
''Jest dump 'em on the roadside and
let the neigbors' hogs eat 'em mp as
quick as they can."
But Mr.. Ellis took advantage OF
a tin peddler coming along on the
other side of the street, and engag
ing his helpmcet's attention, to
smuggle in the load of pumpkins.
Il won't waste 'em, anyway" said
he. IF anybody's hogs is to eat
'em, it may as well be mine"
That afternoon, when he came tc
supper, thing happened which had
never before befallen him in all his
married life.
He found the tea-kettle cold, the
Graham gems unbaked, the table
unspread and his wife crying pite-
ously.
"Eh" said Eliakim blankly
"What in-all-creation s-the mat
ter now? You amt sick, be We, Lo-
isy?'
"Yes. l ber' sobbed Mrs. Ellis.
"Heartslck, 'Liakim. Oh, what her
l done? I've sold them old gray
pants O yourn to the tin peddler
and never remembered how I'd put
that there hundred dollar coupon
bond you gave me to keep, in the
pocket. because | calculated no bur-
glars would take pair O ragged
old pants. Oh, dear! oh, dearw
For ono minute EIiakim Ellis
stood silent. A hundred dollars
was a hundred dollars to this hard
working man, who could only save
and scrape by Titles.
But he looked at Louisa's pale
face. and his great, tender heart
rose up within him like the billows
of the sea. a.s,ss.,,
Don't fret, Loisy, my gal, he
said cheerfplly. 1t was only an ac-
cident. 'Tain't wuth frettin' about u
And he bent down and kissed her
forehead-a rare occurrence in their
undemonstratiAe household. well
go to work and make it up as fast
as possible, my dear
"Oh, 'Liakim," sobbed the good
wife, Il don't deserve you should be
so good to me. I'm cross, scoldin'
cretur, and"
"Tut, tut, tut" good-humoredly
interrupted her husband. "Guess
l amt goin' to hev my wife abused
this away"
"And I'm sorry / spoke SO short
Il pumpkins added Louisa dole
fully.
Mr.. Ellis whistled under his breath.
He was almost disposed now to re-
gret that he had paid out that dol
lar for the widow Hepsy's pump
kins.
However, its dene," he said to
himself, ''and it can't be undone.
Loisy'd best be left in the dark, l
guess, about it"
He was alertly kindling the fire
while Mrs. Ellis moved sadly about,
making preparations for the evening
meal, when there was lively tat
too, played by very energetic pair
of knucklcs ON the door outside.
"Come in," shouted he.
And who should make his appear
ance but the tin peddler himself.
s"Hello, squirc!m said he. "Guess
there's been a mistake somewhere.
4 amt buyin' up Government cou-
pom bonds. I'm in the tin trade. /
feund this ere in your old pockets,
so l allowed it was best to bring it
back right away"
He held ont the folded slip Of
parchment. Eliakim looked oddly
at it.
Fetch on Diogones and his Ian
term said he. Il calc'late here's
the honest man at last!m
"Gct outp said the tin.peddler.
i don't want none O your four syl-
labled fun pokcd at me- But | tell
you what / dew want; them there
pumpkins that you were cartin' in
when 1 exchanged sauce pan and
two dippers for them gray pants
with your good lady; I'll give you
five cents a piece for 'em."
'sDener' cried farmer Ellis joy
fully.
There's to be a big dinner up to
Stapleses Hill" went on the tin ped
dler; "and they're goin to bake two
hundred pumpkin pies, and all the
pork and beans that's to be had.
And there's goin' to be a corner in
pumpkins. I've got my wagon out
here, so / guess we'll load up right
away"
And thus the hundred dollar cou-
pom bond was returned, all safe and
sound, by the tin peddler, who was
as honest as he was shrcwd, and the
widow Hepsy Halls pumpkins were
satisfactorily marketed. So much
so, indeed, that Eliakim even pur-
chased out of the profits snuff-col
ored merino gown, which he left al
the widows door the very next time
he drove past.
"It's a pity she can't share more
o the good luck" said he.
Mrs. Hall found the gown, neatly
wrapped in paper, when she came
home from cranberrying in the
swamp, and she never knew where
| it came from. But she made it ur
and wore it to her daughter Belin
da's in the city.
But honest Eliakim has not yet
told Louisa, his wife, that he bought
widow Hepsy's pumpkins and paie
a dollar for them in good hard cash
gtTt o;,,,+ boot m foil unn, on ox.orx-