The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-11-08
Nancy was delighted with the new scqui-
sition for the best room.

Nancy was delighted with the new acqui-
sition for the best room.
"Oh, isn't it pretty ?" said she.
EYES," nodded Mr.. Moppet, rubbing his
hands, it'll sort O. dress up the room for
your weddin'."
MY wedding?"
"Jest so. I've arranged matters with Web
ster Wixon, and"
Nancy burst into tears, and ran out of the
room.
Mr.. Moppet glared balefully after her.
"She shall marry him." muttered he, cor
she shall be no darter O. minel won't be
set at defiance by-Why, halloa, Absalom
Parker, what brings you here p
"Mr. Atkins is took wuss this afternoon"
said Absalom, standing at the doorway, like
rustic Apollo. "Wants to see ye-right
off!
1t 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 time - said he to himself there's
frosty feel in the air"
Grandfather Atkins lay among bis pillows,
like wrinkled ghost.
John" said he, "all I've got in the world
is yours but think I'd ought to tell you
where I've hid it, sence the bank robbery give
me such a scare"
Certainly, certainly " said his sou-in-law,
with eager eyes, like those of bird of prey
81 have hid it away"
John Moppet placed HE ear close TO the
pallid lips.
"Six five-hundred-dolla bills"
"Ges, yes-go on"
"Folded up in an old number of the Horn
Hill Gdzette-"
AN old number of the Horn Hill Gazette
Il understand y repeated Moppet.
"ln the old stove out in the shed ~ gasped
the old man. II knowed nobody wouldn't
be likely to look there It's yours John
every cent fit. And mind you, don't spend
it in no way extravaganceW
So speaking, the old miser closed his dim
eyes and went where there is neither money
nor counting of money.
John Moppet uttered an exceeding bitter
cry as he remembered the light match he had
put to the crumpled papers in the stove, to
make sure OF a draupht when it was put up
in the northwest corner of the church-the
roar oft the blaze through the lengths of Rus
sian pipe In his excellent management he
had contrived to overreach 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 thiry-six times five is
thirty" unused Mr.. Muppet, rocking to and
fro. six NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. bills Three
Observation-Disclosures all gone up chimb-
y in one breath O. wind, and me is done it
| shall go crazy. l shall lose my mind
ree-thou-sand-dollar 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
IraJ Inll lut
there amt no calculatin' what a mis'able sin
ner I've been u
AS the old kitchen clock struck nine, Alb
SALON Parker came in, bringing with him a
gust of fresh, frosty air.
"Evenin', Squire" said be am sort O.
looking up the watchers "Spose you'd like
to be one of 'em ? But I'd like to speak a
word to you first"
"lf it's about Nancy, it amt no use," said
Mr. Moppet, rousing himself to the affairs
of the world with some peiulance.
at amt about Nancy" Absalom answered,
with a smile. "It's about Mr.. Atkinss
money.
Mr.. Moppet gave start
ooh, you needn't jump so,' reassurd ,Absa-
lon. "It's all SAFE"
He took fiat parcel out of his pocket.
"Count EN-" said he. six, amt there ?"
"Mr. Moppet stared at Absalom Parker as
Aladdin might have stared at the Genii.
"How-where-" he stammereo.
Absalom gave low chucke.
"Hush!" said he. "Don't speak loud. l
seen the old man hide 'em there, like hu.
man maybe as he was. knowed it wasn't
safe, so quietly took 'em out, arter he'd had
that last stroke, and locked 'em in his black
leather trunk up in the garnet. And you may
thank me that they wasn't all burned up in
the first fire you lighted in that identical
stove T.
Mr.. Moppet turned purpish red.
You know about that stove ?" said he,
with gasp.
1T wasn't likely no such conjuring could
go on about Mr.. Atkins's place, and me not
know il" said Parker, drily. "The stove
wasn't of no great consequence, l thought ex-
cept for old iron. Iguess the church folks III
get sick of it before great while"
Mr.. Moppet drew long breath.
"When they do" said he, "Ill make 'sm
present of a brand.new one. And, Absaom
~
"Yes, Mr.. Moppet"
"You won't say nothin' to nobody?"
mo-" said Absalom," l amt one O. the
talkn' sort"
"And, Absalom-"
"Yes, Mr.. Moppets"
"Since you and Nancy really are attached
to each other"
We're just that, Mr., Moppet."
81 don't see no objection to your gettin'
married this fall, said Moppet, with an effort.
You may tell Nancy that she has my con-
sent !"
Nancy cried a shower ofhappy tears when
Absalom told her The good news.
But he never impaired to her the story OF
the stove. AS he himself had remarked, The
was not one of the talkin' sort."-Saturday
Might