The Somerset reporter., 1889-11-21

All was dark and quiet there save the one
red light that burned in old Mr.. Atkins
bedroom.
At that identical moment, had he but
knogn it, Ahsalom Parker-tlle old maa's
general factotum-was hanging over the
garden gate of his own place, talking to
pretty Nancy among the purple dahlas
and quilted asters.
And it was no difficult task for a man
of John Moppet's physical strength skill
fully to lift the stove out of its place in
the outer shed into his wagon.
cit up, Prince !" he mnttered to his
horse, shaking the reins, and away they
went
Elder Meachan was not quiet 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 au-
thority, and they were compelled to ac-
quiesce in his choice.
Nancy was delighted with the new
acquisition for the best room.
"Oh, isn't it pretty?' said she.
Yes 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
Webs ter 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. |
won't be set at defiance by. Why,
helloa, Absalom Parker, what brings you
here?"
Mr.. Atkins is took wuss this after
noon," said Absalom, standing at the
doorway, like a rustic Apollo, Wants
to see ye-right OFF,"
It was 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 his pill
lows, like wriukled old ghost.
John" said he, "all I've got in the
world is you, but think I'd ought to tell
you where Eve hid it, sense the bank
robbery give me such a scare"
Certainly, certainly!m said his son-in-
law, with eager eyes, like those of bird
of prey,
1--WE hid it away"-
John Moppet placed his ear close to the
pallid lips.
"Sx observation-disclosures bills
"fes, yes-go on
Folded up in an old number of The
Horn Hill GazetLe'-
IAN old number of The Horn Hill
Gazette-I understand" repeated Mop
pet.
"In the old stove out in the shed -
gasped the old man. Il knowed nobody
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 ex-
travagance
So speaking, the old miser closed his
dim ewes and went where there is neither
money nor counting of money.
John Moppet uttered an exceedingly
bitter cry as he remembered the lighted
match he had put to the crumpled old
paper in the stove, to make sure of a
draught, when it was put in the north
west corner of the church-the roar OF
the blaze through the lengths of Russia
iron pipe. In his excellent management
he had contriyed to oycrreach 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" POWDERED she.
"Six times five is thirty-six times five
is thirty" mused Mr.. Moppet, rocking to
and fro. six tive-hundred-dollar bills !!
Three-thou ,and-dolars--and all gone
up chimbly in one breath o wind, and me
as done it l shall go crazy. shall
lose my mind. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
lars! It's a judgment on me. I've been
mis'able sinner, and cheated tue church.
I've tempered with my own conscience.
Six times five is thirty Six flye-hrndred
dollar bills oh, Lord, there amt no
calculatin' what miserable sinner I've
been!"
AS the old kitchen clock struck .,
Absalom Parker came in, bringing with
him gust of fresh, frosty wind.
'Evenin', squire" said he. "I'm sort
O looking up the watchers. S'pose you'd
like to be one of EN-? But I'd like to
speak word to you first"
.'If it's about Nancy, it amt no USE"
said Mr.. Moppet, rousiDg himself to the
affairs of the world with some petulancc.
at amt about Nancy Absalom an
swered, with a smile. ITS about Mr..
Atkins money"
Mr., Moppet gave start.
"Oh, you needn't jump So treasured
Absalom ITS all safe.
He took a fat parcel out Of his pocket.
Count en- said he. six, amt
there2"
Mr.. Moppet stared at Absalom Parker
of Aladdin might have stared at the Ge-
nil.
.'How-where"- muttered.
Absalom gave low chuckle.
"Hush I" said he. "Don't speak loud.
seen the old man hide 'em there, like
maybe as he was | knowed it wasn't
safe, so quietly took them out, arter he
had that last stroke, and locked 'em in
his black leather trunk up garnet. And
you may thank me that they wasn't all
burned up in the first fire you lighted In
that identical stove !"
Mr.. Moppet turned a purplish red
"You know about that st0ye?" said he
with gasp.
ut wasn't likely no such conjuring
could 20 on about Mr.. Atkins place. and
me not know it," said Parker. dryly.
"The stove wasn't of no great consequnce
though, except for old iron. guess the
church folksll get sick of 1t before a
great WHILE
Mr.. Moppet drew long breath.
when they do" said he, "I'll make
'em present of brand new one. And,
Absalom"-
Eyes, Mr.. Moppet?'
"You won't say nothing to nobody''
NO. said Absalom, 81 amt one O. the
talkn' sort"
And, Absalom"-
Eyes, Mr.. Moppet!"
"Since you and Nancy really are attach
ed to each other"-
"We're just that, Mr. Moppet."
II don't see no objection TO your get
tin married this fall, )" said Moppet, with
an effort. "You may tell Nancy that she
has my CONSENT
Nancy cried a shower of happy tears
when Absalom told her the good news.
But he never impaired to her the story
of the stove. As he himself remarked,
"he was not one of the talkin' sort. -
Saturday Night.
BoI!s and Carbuncles Cured.
For years have been constantly trou-