The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-12-13


fetch it home tomorrow and black it up
and let Elder Meachan suppose I got
bargain from somebody; and I'll hav
the nice new stove for myself, an,
nobody'n be none the wiser, now tina
Gram Their Atkins is confined to his be,
with creepin' paralysis and Absalon
Parker's up in the wood lots, chopin
down trees for winter frewood It's
good idee. I'm glad happened to thinl
of itw
He drew rein opposite the Atkin
house. All was dark and quiet Their
save the one red light that burned in ok
Mr.. Atkinss bedroom.
AT that identical moment, had he bu
know it, Absalom Parker-the old man
general factotum-was hanging over tn
garden gate of his own place, talking t,
pretty Nancy among the purple dahlia
and quilted asters.
And it was no difficult task for MAJ
of John Moppet's physical strength skill
fully to lift the old stove out of its plac,
in the outer shed into his wagon.
"Glt up, Prince" he muttered to hi
horse, shaking the reins, and away the
went
Elder Meachan was not quite satisfied
with the bargain. The church brethren
too, would have preferred new stove
considering the money they had spent
but Brother Moppet was man in author
ity, and they were compelled to acquiesct
in his choice.
Nancy was delighted with the new
acquisition for the best room
'.Oh, isn't it prettyl" said she.
''Yes," nodded Mr. Moppet, rubbing
his hands, "it'l sort o dress up the
room for your weddin'."
my weddingl"
"Jest so. I've arranged matters with
Webster Wixon, and"
Nancy burst into tears, and ran out OF
the room.
Mr. Moppet glared balefully after her
'she shall marry him, muttered he,
'.or she shall be no darter o. mine l
won't be set at defiance by Why,
helloa, Absalom Parker, what brings you
Sereii
MOI, I'D GIa4 4Hif5ni; sirrfy Ea4 u tnt
doorway, like rustic Apollo. wants
TO see ye-right of"
It was a Saturday afternoon. As Mr.
Moppet drove by the church door, he
saw the load of wood being delivered for
the first fire of the season.
..Jest in timel' said he TO himself.
.sThere's a frosty feel in the air
Grandfather Atkins lay among his pill
lows, like a wrinkled ghost.
s'John, said he, "all I've got in the
world Is yours; but l think I'd oaght to
tell you where I've hid it, sence the bank
robbery give me such a scare"
Certainly, certainly" said his son-in-
law, with eager eyes, like those of a bird
Of prey.
1--WE hid it away
John Moppet placed his ear close to
the pallid lips.
..Six five-hundred-dolla bills"
"Yes, yes-go onl''
ssFolde1 up in an old number of the
Horn Hill GGsette-n
IAN old number of the Horn Hill
Gazette-I understand" repeated Mop
pet.
I'm the old stove out in the shed l''
easped the old man. Il knowed no.
body wouldn't be likely to look there
It's yours, John Moppet-every cent of
it. And mind you, don't spend it in no
extravaganza"
So speaking, the old miser closed his
dim ewes and went where there Is neither
money nor counting of money.
John Moppet uttered an exceeding bit
ter cry as he remembered the lighted
match he had put to the crumpled papers
in the stove, to make sure of draught
when it was put up in the northwest cor
ner of the church-the roar of the blaze
through the lengths of Russian pipe. In
his excellent management he had con
trived to oyerreach himself.
He went home and sat all the evening
in sort of stupor, with his head in his
hands.
Nancy, busted about her household
tasks, watched him with hazel eyes OF
surprise.
II didn't know he thought so much OF
Gran ther Atkins pondered she.
six times five is thirty-six times five
is thirty unused Mr. Moppet, rocking
to and fro. six fve-hundred- dollar
bills Three-thousand- dollars-and
all gone up chimbly in one breath o
wind. and me as done it, / shall GO
crazy. l shall lose my mind. Three
ou-sand-dollars It's Judgment
on me. I've been mis'able sinner, and
cheated the church. I've tempered with
my own conscience. Six times five is
thirty Six hve-hundred-dollar bills
Oh, Lord, there amt no calculatin' what
a mis'able sinner I've BEEN"
As the old kitchen clock struck nine
Absalom Parker came in, bringing with
him a gust of fresh, frosty air
"Evenin', Squire" said he. I'm
sort o. looking up the watchers. 'Spose
you'd like to be one Of 'eml But I'd
like % speak a word to you first. "
III its about Nancy, it amt no use,
said Mr.. Moppert, rousing himself 10 the
affairs OF the world with some petulance.
1T amt about Nancy" Absalom an
swered with a smile ITS about MIR.
Atkins's money"
Mr.. Moppert gave start.
"Oh, you needn't jump so, treasured
Absalom. sits all safe. /"
He took fat parcel out of his pocket,
Count en-, said he. six, amt
theregn
Mr.. Moppert stared at Absalom Parker
as Aladdin might have started at the
Genii.
"How-whcre-n he stammered.
Absalom gave low chuckle.
'Hushi" said he Don't speak loud
I seen the old man hide 'em there, like 4
human magpie as he was. I knowed il
wasn't safe so ! quietly took EN- out