The Penn's Grove record., 1886-06-05

with the gold and bonds buttoned Sc
curely under his coat, and a mason's
troweI in his hand. For it occurred TO
him that if he could secrete his treasure
behind one OF those huge misshapen
stones In the chimney, it would be the
safest repository.
1t was q sultry summer day, ana
Ebenezer Plumer was no longer a
strong man. The big drops OF sweat
stood on his brow as he tolled, and al
last he sat down to rest. He might
even have gone to sleep, il he had not
been reused bya sound Of voices, where
some one was walking behind the old
well close to the road.
Why" said Ebenezer to himself,
"it's Mr.. Carson, the President of the
Gold Mining Company. And that
other one is Major Sheldon, the SecreA
tary."
He was about to scramble out of his
retreat and challenge their attention,
when the sound OF his own name decl-
ded him to remain for a minute or two
longer. sI've almost knocked the side
of the house down." said Mr.. Carson,
sharply, 'and no one is therel l Won
der what can possibly have become OF
the fool?"
81 hope he hasn't taken fright, said
Major Sheldon. "Confound this tin
cup--the water leaks out at n end
faster than l can swallow it at the
other"
"It's~ essential that we get the money
into our own hands at once" said Mr..
Carson. The steamer sails at noon
tomorrow, and we must SAIL with her.
And money we must have.
"Oh, / dare say it will be all right"
said the Major, serenely. HES such
an egregious old blunderhead that he'll
believe whatever you choose to tell
him.-How he will stare, to be sure,
when he finds out that thera is neither
gold mine no Gold Mining Company
that he has just lined our pockets
with his funds!-Hal hal hal
"But he'll never find that OUT"
shouted Mr.. EbeneZer Plumer, scramb-
ling to the top Of the ruinous old wall,
so that his green and yellow counte-
nance glared upon the two unconscious
conspirators from a frame of thistles
and weedy-like trees. "He may be a
fool, but he amt fool enough to be
taken in by you'll Get out of here, you
miserable swindlers, Dr. I'll have you
carted off to the pound. You're tres
passing on private property, do you
hearp Get out | sayl'
In his enthusiasm he flung a huge
stone down at the pair-it loosened the
rest, and an avalanche Of bricks and
mortar followed. The Honorable Fer
nando Carson and Major Sheldon took
precipitately to their heels, with a sort
of vague idea that the Day of Judgment
had come without warning OF any de-
scriptlon-and poor Mr.. Plumer, falling
backward, was half buried in the
debris, from which rose up a suffocat-
ing cloud of dust and fine lime.
"My money~ he gasped. ''my
moneyl''
And then he recollected no more.
When, vaguely and by slow degrees,
his senses returned to him, he was
lying on the old calico lounge at home,
his forehead bandaged, and a smell of
camphor pervading all the air. and he
could hear low voices in the adjoining
room.
"Dear Grandpa" said Patience.
''I'm SO sorry l said what / did to himl
Because he has brought me up and
educated me, and l owe everything to
him. Oh, Charley, do you think that
is a judgment on me for my undutiful
words?"
Not a bit Of iti' said Charles Mer-
Ger, cheerfully. "Don't fret, Pay-the
old gentleman is sure to get better.
He's a jolly old file, after all, and we
should miss him terribly if anything
were to happen to himl But you heard
what the doctor ~said,-that it was
nothing but a scalp wound. How do
you suppose he came to be there Of all
the places in the world2"
81 can tell you. interposed a strange
falterlng voice from the calico lounge.
HE was making a fool of himself
That's how he came to be there"
sits grandpa" cried Patience jump.
ing up.
ats the old gentleman, }" said Char
ley Mercer.
"Come in here, you two" said
Ebenezer Plumer. "I've been pretty
heal the edge of the other world, and
things don't look to me as they did
twenty-four hours ago. Who was it
found me?"
~ did, SIR" answered Charley Mer-
Ger. 81 was coming acros the lots and
1 saw the lime dust rising up like a
column of mist. So l ran to see what
the matter was-and took you on my
shoulder and brought you home the
best way l could. Though, TO be sure
you are no light weight, SIR" he added
with a laugh.
THAT'S twice you saved my life,"
said MI. Plumer. "Tou and Patience
ought to hate me, Charley, but l don't
believe you do"
sob, grandpa sobbed Patience,
whose pretty eyes were red with weep
ing.
''Indeed, sir, We cont" said Char
ley.
'Where's my coatp" said Ebenezer
Plumer.
son the chair, grandpa, close by
you," answered Patience.
''Hand it to me-"
He took out the bag of gold from his
inside pocket.
(''Hallo," said Charley Mercer soto
voice, mo wonder he was heavy to
carry.'n
"Here." said he, stake this, children.
Divide it between you, and set up your
housekeeping as soon as you please"
"Grandpa," cried Patience, sdo. o
really mean it2"
"Of course / mean it." said the old
man. "Why shouldn't 1? I've got
enough left in government bonds to
support me twice as long as 1 shall
live. And after all / might have lost
1T in that swindling Mining Company.
Don't / tell you that things have
altered in my eyes9 Take it, and be
happy. And / believe l shall be all the
happier myself"
son, grandpa, you're such a darling, -
cried Patience, tenderly kissing him.
ave a thank you enough,
sir, " said Charley, fervently.
And in speaking 0e 1t afterwards,
Ebenezer Plumer declared that he never
began thoroughly to enjoy himself until
he had gotten rid Of those gold eagles.
ut was the best investment l even
made when / handed iem over to Pa