The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-10-10

nlAtatA w liiN WIZ iAiNi hAiAN wi, W SObbe
for consid ablo-'
Mr.. Mopput drove lcisurcly on to Horn
Hill, drove an excellent bargain Tor n
highly ornamental wood-stove. after hav-
ing successfully interviewed every hard
ware dealer in town, and set forth to re-
turn with il in his wagon just at dusk.
"lt's a warm day FOR the time o. year."
said he, "and it's easier travelling for the
horse arter dark. 1t amt a bad day's
work, come to think on t. beat Brother
Piper down pretty we'll on the price, ana
its worth dollar'n half to cart the
thing home over these bumpy roads.
They lowed twenty dollars for it, and
got il for fifteen. Tal,in' my time and
wheel wear and horscGcsh into considcra-
tion, guess won't say nothin' about
the odd five dollars. Business is bust
ness. It's proper pretty pattern, too
thistle leaves and acorns. I'd like one
the same fashion in my best room, and
with u long whistlc-"why shouldn't
have it} There's that second handed
stove Granthcr Atkins took for debt
from Solon Gmbb. It's Jest standin'
rustn' away in his back wood shed. I'll
| fetch it home tomorrow and black it up,
and let Elder Mcachan suppose got n
bargain from somebody; and I'll have
the nice new stove for myself, and
nobody'll be none the wiser, now that
Gran'ther Atkins is confined to his bed
with creepin' paralysis and Absllom
Parker's up in the wood lots, chopin
down trees for winter irewood. It's n
good idee. I'm glad happened to think
OF itln
lie drew rein opposite the Atkins
house Al was dark and quiet there
save the one red light that burned in old
Mr.. Atkins's bedroom.
At that identical moment, had he but
know it, Absalom Parkcr-thc old mans
general factotum-was hanging over the
garden gate of his own place, talking to
pretty Nancy among the purple dahlias
and quilted asters.
And it was no difficult task for man
Of John Moppet's physical strength skill
fully to lift the old stove out of its place
in the outer shed in,o his wagon.
"Git up, Prince he muttered to his
horse, shaking the reins, and away they
went.
Elder Mcachan was not quite satisfied
with the bargain. The church brethren,
too, would have preferred new stove,
considering the money they had spent;
but Brother Nloppct was man in author
ity, and they were compelled to acquiescc
in his choice.
Nancy was delighted with the new
acquisition for the best room.
son, isn't it pretty!' said she.
YES nodded Mr.. Moppet, rubbing
his hands, 'it'll sort o dress up the
room for your wcddin'."
"AIy weddinei'
".Iest so. I've arranged matters with
Webster Wixon, and"
Nancy burst into tears, and ran out of
the room.
Mr.. Moppet glared balcfully after her.
"Shc shall marry him. muttered he,
cor she shall bc no darter o. mine!
won't be set at defiance by Why,
hclloa, Absalom Parker, what brings you
/ here?'
"Mr. Atkins is took wuss this after
noon" said AbsaIom, standing mt the
doorway, like rustic Apollo. "Wants
to see ye-right OFF,
1t was Il Saturday afternoon. AS Mr..
Moppet drove 10y the church door, he
saw the load of wood being delivered foT
the first fire Of the season.
'Jcst in time' said he to himself.
"There's frosty feel in the air.
Grandfather Atkins lay among his pill
lows, like wrinkled ghost
"John,n said he, "all I've got in the
world is yours; but think I'd ought tC
tell you where I've hid it, sence the banl
robbery give me such scare"
"Certainly, certainly" said his son-in
law, with eager eyes, like those of birc
of prey.
'I've hid it away"
John Moppet placed his car ciosc Il
the pallid lips.
"Six NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. bills"
"Yes, ySs--go on!"
, a A.