The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-12-27

thetic bosom. The irasciblo editor had
come 70 her with the scurrilous attacks
upon his repntation; the old lady in the
iaise 'front.' had wcpt out her woes upon
her shoulder In manner far from false:
the pretty young girl, who wrote on a
typewriter and battled single-handcd
with the problems Of work-a-day
world. came 70 tho kind little body for
mothcrly counsel and homeopathic
remcdies-the only ones Miss Nellie
gave IN paltry doses; the middle-aged
couple. who were known to differ fire.
quently and loudly. brought their ouar-
rcls 70 her for arbitration: the gallant
Major, who had been In tho army and
losed the ladies, had begged her 10
brighten his lonely lot with the liphf
OF her perpetual presence, and when She
had given him gentle refusal had
taken il nobly with his hand on his
heart and logged her footsteps persist
emily thereafter; the poor young clerk.
who had the other attic bedroom. and
couldn't manage TO pay for that. and
VINO borrowed money OF her and never
paid IL back. but was always meaning
TO. came 70 her in fits OF desperation.
when he talked recklessly OF ruin. and
q revolver as the only possible quietus.
and went away with courage in his
stcp-and her last dollar in his pocket.
| Thus 1t happened that while all these
neighbors' doors were closed against
each other they were open to Miss Nell
ne; perhaps the secret OF it was that
while She gave sympathy she never de-
manded IT, To be sure, there was a
| rumor in the annals Of the house that
| Miss Nellie had story. but the idea
that there was any element OF tragedy
in II was secuted as ridiculous-why.
you had only to look at her bright blue
eyes and smiling mouth. and 10 listen to
her brisk step and CHEEKY yoice-to con-
vince you that TINT was impossible-..a
solutcly and egregiously impossible. my
dear sir" as the Major used TO say.
While the little old maid sat there
busted with her simple work and kindly
thoughts. sound suddenly smote upon
her lonely silence that made her heart
leap into her throat. 1t was the noise
OF a heavy body falling. and her first
thought was that the young clerk had at
last carried out his desperate threat
cut his throat. perhaps. and fallen dead
upon the floor; but before she had time
for further speculation there were more
sounds Of confusion. which seemed to
take place just outside her door, and be-
fore she could cross the room and opcn
II. it had burst ajar and swung wide. dis
closing but no, she was not child 70
be hoodwinked with Christmas dream.
for surely she was asleep and dreaming:
surely. surely. pinch her arm as sharply
and rub her eyes as diligently as She
would. she must be asleep and dream
ing. Only 70 think Of an old maid in
her for,ics. standing there in her own
ten-by-twclve bedroom and thinking
She saw santa Claus looming up in the
doorway.
But what would you have? Was not
the light from her lamp flooding full
upon him. and was il not an unmistak-
able old gentleman. rotund Of figure.
in long fur coat dashed with snow and
round fur cap set on locks quite as
white. and venerable beard sweeping
downward beneath two rudy cheeks |
and . rubicund nose and -conclusive ev-
idence.-peeping over his shoulder |
bullying bag. from which stuck odds and |
ends OF toys and irresistible packages
with the most fascinating knobs and |
cxcrescences and bewitching protu- l
beranccs. that would have made one
scream with excitement had one been
forty years younger?
sir" said the simple old maid, '.you
have made mistake
'.Ycs madame. hare made a mis-
take growled the furry old gentleman.
fairly bristling with anger. ''and some
body else has made mistake. Ard
next time they leave scuttle doors open
for trap for innocent people they'll
hear from me. or I've made another mis-
take. Bless my soul, Bless my SOUR
This pious ejaculation burst from the
Did gentleman's lips with the fury and
.xplosivcness Of piece OF profanity as
nc tried TO take n step. and. in doing so.
ell up against the door-pcst like child
earning 10 walk.
i've fractured my knce-pan- he
ricd. querulously, and Ill sue you for |.
lamages dam dam -damages.- he re-
'cated, as though II did him good 70 fire
I of like so many peas from pop-gun.
I'm sorry said Miss Nellie. in her
oft little voice. LET me help you in
o chair, sir. I'm SO very sorry it hap
'enod.'' IL
She took him under the arm and inn
gincd she upbore his great frame as il
unged across the floor and fell into her
ocking-chair, which creakcd and
reaned with the unusual burden OF
csh.
WHO left that trap-door open?~ de-
landed the irascibic old fellow, turning
n angry eye on her.
mercy on me. sir!' cried his little
ostess, suddenly clasping her hands on
or heart and looking scared and aghast:
! just remember that ! did III was
eating out my rug and was unexpex-
lily called away and-I forgot itr'
She felt like two-year-old culprit
anding there before his inquisitorial II
ve, and she would have been glad IL
ap-door had suddenly opened and let I
Y down into the next story without !,
'conds warning.
II suppose you'll say had no bust a
aSS To he promeuadinC IN vour rnaf :. 1 Is,