St. Landry democrat., 1888-04-28

| Aoo VI any tIiliS more laHS lDlc
the widow took his word for it, for tn
time. Mr. Hackensack spent the day
IN gathering up all the bills he hae
posted, which had not been damaged
too much for future use. In TIN
evening he was met by his eldest son
a capable youth of fourteen, wht
seemed in a state of unusual excite
ment.
Pa he said. "the old woman i
making an awful fuss about us stay
ing here."'
| SON." said Mr.. Hackensack, severe
~. didn't you have your supper las
night?"
| ''Yes, pa he admitted.
"And bed to sleep in?''
Yes, pa"
And your three meals to-day9'
Eyes. pa"
"Well, then, son, what are you kick
ing about?'
That member of the consolidation
had no more to say on the subject.
Several eventful DAYS passed. then
the worthy Mrs. Mi ncer' importuni.
ties could no longer be disregarded.
"Ihe bill will be all paid, madam,
take my word for it!' reiterated Mr..
Hackensack. impressively.
But the landladv was opposed to
taking his word for it, and at the end
OF a week she complained to her
cousin, the justice Of the peace, who
consulted with his friend, the attor-
ney and together these two dignitaries
called upon the undesirable guest and
intimated that his conduct was not
exactly in accordance with the laws of
Nebraska.
You are putting Mrs. Mincer to a
great deaf of expense" added the JUS
tice Of the peace.
Her expense, my dear sir, is moth
ing compared to my loss" declared
MI Hackensack very seriously. Il
am losing twenty five dollars a day at
the lowest estimate. All in good
towns. too.'
why don't you 60 to those towns?'
asked the attorney. with the air of
cross-questioning witness.
my dear SIR" replied Hackensack,
'tsomeb body has truly remarked that
money makes the mare go;' and
money is essential to move even such
an unequaled consolidation as mine is.
The consolidation has fame, but just
at the present moment the consolida-
ton is without money"
The justice of the peace and the at
torney retired, perplexed if not de-
feated. They consulted with the city
officials, who, after some debate. act
ually offered to pay Mr. Hackensack's
board bill providing he would leave
town at once.
my dear SIR graciously said the
subject of all this discussion, Il ap-
preciate your Offer but as the con-
solidation is un able to walk to the
nearest stand, / must decline it with
thanks.
The situation was becoming serious.
The entire. population of Oak City
waited for the denouement with in
tense interest, and whenever the
walked out they were the
cynosure of all eyes. There seemed
to be no way of getting rid of Mr..
despite the fact that he
entire willingness to go.
Mrs. Mincer would not let the family
cave until the bill was settled; and
he bill became SO large that the city
athers did not feel able to liquidate it,
as it would accomplish noth-
ng unless they also paid the fare to
he next town.
One fine morning the Oak Citians
we're overwhelmed by profuse advcr-
isements Of Benefit" at which the
con solidation" was to appear in an
ntire change of programme. Every |
'ody was anxiously attentive, and |
very body predicted full house.
The house was certainly full. and |
he Hackensacks were in the best of
umor, and did themselves credit. But
Then the cash receipts were counted |
p. every body was surprised to find
hat they amounted to less than sew
nteen dollars.
This seemed unaccountable, till it
that the city officials and
II their friends, the justice of the
eace and his friends, the attorney
nd his friends, the sheriff and the
ostmaster, and, of course. Mrs. Min
er and her friends. had all been adj
lifted free. After expenses had been
aid Mr.. Hackensack had nine dollars
III, which sum satisfied the widow as
II as it went, but, unhappily, it did
OF go far enough.
There is nothing to do" remarked
L. Hackensack eonfidentially to his
ife, sitting ON the trunks in the back
rambler that night after the "bene-
, y nothing but to settle down, as
e can not settle up. /,
what do you mean?" obtuselv
Iestioned his wife and business part
II.
why, what can I mean but to set
} down in Oak City and go into ,
lsiness? think ! shall open ho- +
|. Fl
Mrs Hackensack merely opened her f
es in astonishment. !