Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-03-23

tie or nothing. and kept as near starva-
ton as himself. Indeed, it was a piece
of extravaganza in the old miser to
keep horse at all, but he was in a
measure forced to it by his lameness,
which prevented his walking any dis
lance. He was wont, however, to
complain how much it cost him to keep
his horse. The old mans features
wore look of unusual joy as he
rode slowly along ON this particular
morning.
1T was lucky" ehuckled he to him
self, shat young Martin lost his re-
ceipts. 1t has put eighty good pounds
into my pocket, and more, for the farm
is worth more now than it was. But if
folks will be careless it is their own
look out. He must blame himself and
not me.n
BY this time he had reached the cot
tage, and with some difficulty dismount-
ed.
Now Martin, determined to try
whether the old man would really take
the unjust advantage he had threaten
ed, resolved at first to pretend that he
had hot got the money for him. Ac-
cordingly, when Hugh Stamford enter
ed the cottage, he beheld young Martin
with a very disconsolate look, sitting
beside the table with his head resting
upon it.
Good morning, Master Martin, y sale
he, scarcely concealiug his joy, for he
felt that the farm was already his.
Good morning." returned Martin,
soberly.
Have you got the eighty pounds for
me?-I mean the hundred?n
GOOD sir" said Martin, Il pray you
to deal mercifully with me. 1 beseech
you to bethink yourself if you do not
remember how my father paid you
twenty pounds at four several times,
making eighty in all.
"How should | remember what never
happened?" said Hugh Stamford rough
ly.
''But am sure it did happen" said
Martin, for my father himself told me
upon his death-bed."
HE was out of his head, them" said
Hugh.
Nay; for he retained his senses per-
fectly to the last"
I'm that case" said the miser, ex-
ultingly, perhaps you will show me
the receipts
''But have already told you that
they are lost. / have been searching
for them everywhere, but have not been
able to find them"
''And a good reason why. You might
search till doomsday. But 1 cannot
wait here. Have you got the money!"
II beseech you, good STRAIT least give
me months time, so that if do not
find the receipts in the meantime, /
may try to borrow the money of soma
friend.
81 cannot grant your request"
"Give me week, them
mot a day." said the miser, impat-
iently. ''Sincc you can't pay the
money, the farm is mine, and you must
move away before the sun goes down"
May; not so fast, "said Martin, in
different tone. Il did not tell you /
could not pay it. Since you insist on
being paid twice, just write your re-
ceipt"
"You-you have not the money"
stammered the disappointed miser.
yes; but have though" said Mar
tin, drawing out a bag of gold. "And
now, old man, do your work quickly,
for by my fathers memory you shall
no longer cumber my mine, do
you hear?"
With an air of impotent vexation,
Hugh Stamford drew from his pocket
the receipt which he had already
drawn up, but which he had no thought
that he should be obliged to use.
Martin told down upon the lattice
one hundred good pounds, and in turn
took the receipt, which he took care to
examine thoroughly, to make sure that
there had been no trickery about it.
But it was in due form.
''And now" said Martin, menacing-
ly, II can dispense with your company.
Get you gone"
The old man shambled out OF the
house, and, mounting upon his wretch
ed steed, set out on his return to the
city, considerably less elated than when
he had started.
But his troubles were not yet all
over He had scarce got half mile
from the cottage, when stout man,
clad in Lincoln green, started from a
covert by the side of the road. He
sprang forward and seized Huge SIAM
ford's horse. The old man tried to
spur his horse to a gallop; but the poor
creature who was half-starved, had but
little spirit, and instead Of increasing
his speed, stood stock-still.
What want you Of me?" asked the
old man in alright
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