The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-11-20
From Good Chez:
TOBEY'S SILVER NINE.
on earth ~

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Josiah Stoker broke off suddenly IN
the midst Of the conversation be had
been holding over the fence with his
next-door neighbor, and gazed up the
road.
A little Old man with huge valise
was coming down it,
"He's pointing straight here, said
Rufus Bissel
The old man came on slowly; paused
before the neighbors; set down his va
lise and searched their faces with
sharp, good-humored eyes.
'Don't you know me, boys, hesaid.
The "boys' looked puzzled.
"Makes me think of Joel Tobey,
declare for it." said Dir. Stoker at
last.
"Just what I was thinking" eaid
Mr.. Bissel.
"a man that used to keep store
here" Mr.. Stoker explained. "Bissel
and I clerked for him one winter.
Twenty five years ago, it was. He
went West"
Don't say so2" said the old man,
with a chuckle. "Well-he's come
back %
There was a chorus of ordinations
and hearty Misunderstanding.
"Of course you'll put up with me?"
said Mr.. Stoker, Hospitality. "My
wife, Sarah Burt that was, she'll be
glad to give you bed"
You'll be more than welcome at
my house, said Mr.. Bissel, beaming-
ly.
al am calculating to stay a week"
q hD oil
between you. | can't stay more than
q week-can't leave my business a
minutelonger"
"Well, begin with me-" said Mr..
Stoker, cordially; and he dragged him
toward the house.
A pretty, dark. eyed girl opened the
door. "My daughter, Jenny" said
Mr.. Stoker, proudly. "And my wife,"
he added, indicating the motherly
woman advancing to meet them
There were two chairs by the fire and
pitcher of cider in the cupboard.
''Things have gone along pretty slow
with Bissel and me-" said Mr.. Sroker,
wiping his mouth and leaning forward
to poke the coals. "We'velived along
side OF each other for twenty five years
without anything happening to speak
OF Just now, 10 be sure, we're rather
looking for something. Bissel's son,
Wallace, has come home from college
lately, and he and my girl there have
taken q regular shine to each other.
No telling what'll come of it. And
how's the West?"
The old mans face grew animated.
We'll" he said, Complacently, "sil-
Yer INNINGS rather more paying than
storekeeplng.
"Slver mining?" said Mr.. Stoker in
an awe-struck tone
Exactly" responded his guest
GIVE been at it Tor years, Stoker; and
I've made my pile. | could buy up
this town and fifty ike it -
Good gracious. Tobey" gasped his
nearer. And he sat in open-mouthed
wonder while Fobey, with his wrinkled
face aglow, described his mine and the
manner in which he had struck"
"There's one thing that troubles me
considerable" Tobey concluded. -
haIn't a relative in the world, Stoker
not one And the question is,
what s going to become OF my money?
1t worries me-
"You don't say?" said Mr.. Stoker,
sympstheticalIy.
There was pause.
"See here Stoker. " said the old man,
bringing his fist down on the table
suddenly, you're AZ good friend as
I've got. | knew you when you was a
boy, Stoker. See here; Why shouldn't
you have my money? ?"
Mr.. Stoker, having no satisfactory
reason at hand, was silent
Its Il bargain" said Toby with
energy. YOU'RE the man, Stoker /
feel it. You re- deserving of it, SroKer,
and you shall haven't. No, youneedn't
say a wOrd-not a word. I've made
up my mind F"
And Tobey drained his mug with a
benevolent smile.
When Mr.. Bissel came over that
evening-his son Wallace had arrived
tull hour before and was talking to
Jenny Stoker in q corner-he noted q
change In his friend and neighbor.
Mr.. Stoker was excited. He paced
the room restlessly while Tobey and
Mr. Bissel talked over old times by
the fire; and the few remarks he ad-
dressed to the latter were vaguely
patronizing.
Mr.. Bissel was puzzled, but he went
home without discovering q clue to
the mystery, leaving Wallace still alb
sorbed in pretty Jenny Stoker.
The old man Came down stairs next
morning with MS big valise humping
after him.
''Thought I'll give Bissel turn to-
day he explained. And see here.
Stoker," he added, confidentially. II
wouldn't say anything 10 Blssel, If |
was IN your place, about that little
plan OF mine; it might make hard feel
ings.
Just so, Just so" said Mr.. Stoker,
approviugy.
When he settled himself against the
fence that afternoon, therefore. 'or =
friendly chat with Mr.. BIssel, in ike
attitude on MS side OF it, i was with
a perceptlbly increased condescension
in his manner.
II he had been in the mood for OBJ
serving he might have seen that Mr.
Blssel's demeanor had also undergone
a subtle change. But the fact escaped
his notice. Curious wasn't it, Tobey
lighting down so sudden?" Mr.. Bisael
remarked.
Mr.. Stoker assented.
Been doing wonderful well out
West" Mr.. Bisssl pursued. Got
silver mine out there. Maybe he men
toned it ?"
Well, yes" said Mr.. Stoker, guard
edly. Mr.. Bissel recrossed his legs and
coughed refectively.
well, he did say something about
not speaking OF it, he said SLOWLY:
"but | don't see as it'll do anv hurt
10 tell you. | declare, it knocked me
all OF heap, Stoker, and don't know
bow TO tell it; but the old man has
made up his mind to leave me his
money You see, he hain't a relative
in the world; and he says I'm as old a
friend as he's got, and he always did
think erything ofme-goodg gracious,
Stokerw
For Mr.. Stoker's face was slowly
frightening
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