Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-07-24
shortly his Scotch sense of justice as
sertlng itself, though as yet without

shortly, his Scotch sense of Justice as
sorting itself, though as yet without
voice.
"Oh, yes, I do remember about
OLAF" said Ordway, ''but I never put
that down; I never yet made charge
against a neighbor who was fiat on his
back and helpless"
'Oh, but right is right" said Nc
Donald put it down, Bailey"
NO. you won't, Bailey" said Ord
way. IL never meant to make charge,
and won't now"
'Well, not to be too long with my
story we wont ON through the books.
We round charges on one book for seed
corn that had been considered by the
other as an Offset for wheat. Once
there was an exchange of potatoes for
cabbages with q balance set down in
one book to one mans credit, which
the other man would not allow.
More than once we found help fur
nished by one man to the other when
the recipient gave credit, and the
neighbour refused it. The wives were
called to so often that they forgot their
cheerful visiting and listened. Mrs.
Mcdonald called to her husbands
mind how once when he was sick Ord
way had sent teams and brought in
their winters fuel. Ordway called to
her mind how Mcdonald had nursed
him tenderly through fever, conse-
quent upon a broken leg, when no one
could lift him so carefully as her hus-
band.
Mcdonald gave several credits which
Ordway would not allow, and I began
to fear that Macs bill would at least
appear just; but presently we came to
a year in which Ordway had charged
a hundred bushels of corn, six shoats,
q young horse. and several smaller ami
mails, and Macs book was a blank
not an entry.
/ glanced up at Mcdonald for expla-
nation, and his brows were knitted,
and he seemed striving to remember
something, but suddenly his face
cleared, and he exclaimed:
'Why, what an oversight! Not a
credit down. IT'S the year that went
back to Scotland! Ned was sick all the
time | was away; my hogs all died OF
cholera, and the best horse 1 had was
stolen. Meester Ordway, if I mistake
not. you should have charge here for
work? The others are all correct; pit
! them doom, Bailey"
However, we came on down through
the years, and the books agreed very
we'll. The last page was reached at
last, and l handed my figures to young
Mcdonald. requesting him to make {
clear draft of them, and we would both
reckon.
There was evidently small need of
reckoning; matters would have adjust
ed themselves without my aid.
| glanced at the old Scot, and saw that
memory was at work and would con
quer.
Ordway was speaking to Mrs. Nc
Donald when quick steps in the hal
told us that school was out. A thick
set, broad-faced boy, whom recog
nized as Archie, opened the door, and
the moment he did so a little girl be
hind him flung away the coat and hoo.
she was in the act of hanging on tn,
rack, and with a suppressed cry bound
ed toward Mrs. Ordway, tlinging he
arms around her neck and covering
her face with kisses.
Of course, / knew it was little Mag
gle. Her mother spoke to her gently
and both she and sturdy Archie cam,
to me and offered their hands in greet
ing.
When Ned had finished his copy W.
went to work, and were soon able tt
announce the result, both having ar
rived at almost the exact figures at tn
same moment, and Mr.. Mcdonald wa
found to be in Mr.. Ordway's debt al
even five pounds.
Though l had anticipated some suc1
result from the books, I was hardl,
prepared for what followed
Mcdonald rose to his feet, and, ad
dressing Mr.. Otdway, said: 'Neebor
l am a man of few words, as you. wee
know. I hope you will believe m
when l say l truly MouqM you owe,
me. I'm glad it's the other way, an,
I'm OWN you. There is your money
and l hope you will forgive me, TO
I've been in the wrong"
Ordway hesitated moment, and il
that moment l thought 1 never ha.
seen a finer specimen of manhood
He had risen from his chair and hi.
lace was glowing with feeling, as h
stepped round the table to where hi
old neighbor was standing and ex
tended his hand, saying:
"Old friend, I came here this morn
ing with great reluctance, expecting
to lose you, but I feel that I have
never sufficiently valued you hereto
fore. / do not feel as though I hat
any thing to forgive, and 1 am to,
we'll convinced of your sterling
honesty to doubt for moment you,
motive"
| The two shook hands, and Ordwa,