The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-10-31

aud I'll have the nice new store myself.
and nobody'll be none the wiser, nos that
Grantter Atkins is confined TO hw bed
With creepin' paralysis snd Absslom Par
ker's up in the wood lots. chopin dos o
trees for winter hrowood. Its good ides
I'm glad happened 10 think OF IL
He drew rain opposite the Atkins house.
All was dark aud qniet there save the one
red light that burned 10 old Mr.. Atkiass
bed room.
At that identical moment had be but
known 1t. Absolom Psrker--tbe old man.
general iactotum-wss hanging over the
garden gate Of bis own place, talking to
prsity Nancy among the purple dshlias
and quilted asters.
II vas no dif8cult task for man OF
John Moppst's physical strength skillfully
to lit the old stove out OF its place in the
outer shed into his wagon.
Get up. Prince, he muttered TO bis
horse. shaking the reins, and away they
went.
Elder Meacham 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 a man in author
ity, and they were compelled to acquiesce
In bis choice.
Nancy was deliehted.with the new sc
QUESTION for the best room
Oh. isn't it pretty, said she.
Yes. nodded Mr.. Moppet rubbing bis
hands. it'll sort O. dress up the room for
your wedding.
My wedding?
Jest 20. I've arranged matters with
Webster Wizon. and T.
Nancy burst into tears. and ran out oi
the room.
Mr.. Moppet glared balefully after her.
She shall marry him, muttered he, or
she shall be no darter OF minel won't be
set at defiance by Why hello, Absa
lom Parker, what brings you herep
Mr.. Atkins is took wuss this afternoon,
said Absalom, standing at the doorway,
like q rustic Apollo. Wants to see ye-
right Off
II was Saturday afternoon. As Mr..
Moppet drove by the church door. he saw
The load OF wood being delivered for the
irst fire OF the season
Jest in timel said be to himself There's
frosty feel in the sir.
Grandfather Atkins lay among his pll
ows like a wrinkled ghost
John. said he. oil I've got 10 the world
8 yours; but think I'd ought to tell you
vhere I've hid it, sence the bank robbery
i've me such scare.
Certainly. certainly said his sou-in.law,
nth eager eyes, like those Of bird OF
'rey.
I've hid it away
John Moppet placed his ear close to the
allid lips
Six five hundred dollar bills
Yes, yes go on
Folded up 10 an old number of the Horn
ILL Gazette-.-
An old number Of the Horn Hill Gazette
Il understand repeated Moppet.
In the old stove out In the she'd gasp
the old man. knowed nobody would
Z be likely to look therel It's yours,
ohm Moppet- every cent Of it. And
lind you, don't spend IL 10 no eXtravs-
encel
So speaking, the old miser closed his
i'm eyes and went where there is neither
,oney nor counting Of money.
John Moppet uttered an exceedingly bit
,r cry as he remem bered the lighted
latch be had put to the crumpled papers
the stove, to make sure OF draught
hen it was put up in the northwest cor.
or OF the church the roar OF the blaze
trough the lengths Of Russian pipe. In
is excellent management be had contriv-
! to ovei reach himself.
He went home and sat all the evening
sort Of stupor, with bis head 10 his
ands.
Nancy, busted about her household
.sks, watched him with hazel eyes OF
,rprise.
l didn't know he thought 80 much OF
ranther Atkins. pondered she.
Sir times FIVE is thirty six times FIVE is
lirty. unused Mr.. Moppet. rocking to and
o. Six Eve hundred dollar bill, Three
Thousand ID dollsrs-and all gone up the
,imbly in one breath O. wind. and me ~
,ne III Ishsll 60 crazy. Ishall lose my
ind. Three thou sand d--dollArsl It's
j judgement on me. I've been miserable
oner, and cheated the church, I've tam.
cred with my own conscience. Six times
We is thirty. Six Eve hundred dollar
lis Oh, Lord. there amt no calculstin'
hat m miserable sinner I've been
As the old kitchen clock struck nine. .
bsalom Parker came in. bringing with
m q gust Of fresh frosty air.
Evenin. Squire, said be. I'm sort o.
oking up the watchers. 'Spose you'd
re TO be one oil EN-? But I'd like 10
eak word TO you first
II it's about Nancy. it amt no use. said c
&. Moppet, rousins himself to the sffsirs !
the world with come petulsnce.
II amt about Nancy. Absslom answered !
th q smils. lis shout Mr.. Atkins q
oney
Mr.. Moppet gaze start $
Oh, you needn't jump so. reassufed Alb. 8
lon. Its sll safe. 6
He took fat parcel out Of his pocket G
Couu, EN-. said be. Six OF EN- sin't q
eres /.
Al. MI,s, at.xaA At.ailxu p..kax