The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-06-13


only wonder that she had not run away
long ago"
:" I've been a father to her." whined
Uncle Peter.
:" A slave driver, if you please" said
Cresson, struggling his shoulders. " A ty.
rant who ruled her with rod of iron-a
ruthless overseer, who allowed her nei-
ther rest nor recreation. II this be pater-
nal treatment-why, then you are cor
rect"
" Eli ~ gasped Uncle Peter. rs he slow
ladled out the chicken stew. So YOU
and she've cooked it up together, have
you9p
beg your PARDON said the station
agent, with freezing politeness. You
are entirely mistaken did not know
that Chloe thought Of leaving home, nor
do know where she is. And if you are
going to make any more such conjectures
| shall 90 elsewhere to board
Don't do that y gasped Uncle Peter
overwhelmed at the prospect of losing a
paving boarder-" don't think o. no such
thing, Mr.. Cresson. / don't mean no
harm. won't do il ag'in. The fowls
very nice and amt no bad hand a,
cookin' myself Well get along somehow
until Chloe comes back 'Twon't be long
guess"
Bot the days passed on, and chloe did
net return.
Uncle Peter Prouls face grew longer
with every setting sun. He began at last
to realize what he had lost in the willing,
handy young drudge who had been at
his beck and call for so many long
years
The coarse-handed maids whom he
hired only made matters worse, and he
wruDg his hands over the lack of econo-
my and piteous mismanagement of af-
fairs.
But the worst of all was vet to come.
He crept down stairs, one day, with an
ashen face.
Ny money! he gasped-- my mon
ey. put it. for safe keeping, in the pock-
ct of that old bombazine gown o. Widow
Salisbury's. that gave Chloe, from the
auction. And it's gone She took it off
with her things and l dunno where
she's gone !"
Was it much ?" asked the station
agent
"A hundred dollars ~ said Mr. Proul
sin one clean, new bill A hundred
dollars -
And he uttered groan that might
have rent heart of stone.
Don't fret yourself" said Mr.. Cresson.
81 heard yesterday that Chloe was help
ing Mrs. Mason with the bakery that she
has opened in Unionville, two stations
further up the line. | can easily get
word TO her tomorrow"
But instead ofsending word by the ex-
press agent on the train, Mr.. Cresron left
his duties in charge of the freight-mas-
ter, and went TO Unionville himself
THAT old dress y cried Chloe. Why,
l gave it to Grandmother Mason, yes
terday, to make into a wadded chair
cushion. 1t was fit for nothing else"
Pocket and ali? ~ said Mr.. Cres-
son.
Yes, pocket and all" nodded Chloe.
But III 90 and get ii at once
Grandmother Mason, fortunately, had
not as yet put scissors in her new inner
itance, and the crisp bill was folded safe
ly away in the pocket of the dilapidated
bombazine gown, just where Mr.. Proul
had stored it.
Is Uncle Peter very lonesome?" said
Chloe, wistfully.
No more than he deserves TO be"
said the station agent. Betsey Brook
has burned hole through the bottom of
the new wash boiler, and Edna Jones
flung out a silver spoon to the pigs. yes
terday"
You ought not to laugh" appealed
Chloe.
No, | know | oughtn't to-" said Mr..
Cresson, but can't help it. Did tell
you that ne wants you to come back ?"
don't know but that it is my duty
to do So" said Chloe, twining and inter
twining her fingers together.
Ny dear little Chloe, that's all nom
sense = said Mr.. Cresson. Hasn't he
ground you deeply enough into the earth
alneady?'
Yes, but"
"Now listen to me- said Mr.. Cresson !;
" boarded at the old farm house with
you and your uncle for three months.
All the while was in love"
Yes, l thought you were" faltered
Chloe. % / was sure oft often want
ed 20 ask YOU who she was, but hadn't
the courage. And now you're going TO
be married, L suppose Isis she pretty ?"
she questioned. with averted eyes.
Very pretty r
And quite accomplished, ! suppose? p
She was capital little housekeeper,"
said the station agent, with enthusiasm.
She was full of all bright and womanly
WAYS, and she had the sweetest temper
of any girl ever sawv1
Il should like TO know her." said
Chloe.
Would you" said Cresson, his grave
eyes sparkling with mischief. That is
easily accomplished. For the little maid
who has stolen her way into my heart is
no other than yourself, Chloe Kiss me,
darling Tell me that you will be my
wife !"
So Uncle Peter got back the hundred
dollar bill which, like an elderly magpie
he had hidden away in the Widow Sails
bury's bomhazine pocket, and Stanford
Cresson got Chloe herself, the most pre-
cious treasure of all. And Uncle Peter is
yet in the slough of despond as regards
the hired help" question.
Perhaps he deserves it. At least that
is the opinion of Mr. Cresson, who keeps
house in a pretty little cottage close to
the station.
A Good Legacy
To bequeath to. your children, is
strong, clean, pure constitution-befter
than wealth, because it will never prove