Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-02-20

in authority, and they were compelled
to acquiesce in his choice.
Nancy was delighted with the new
acquisition for the best room.
oh, isn't it pretty? SAID she.
yes, nodded Mr.. Meppet rubbing
his hands, it will sort O. dress up the
room for your weddin'.
MY wedding?'
Jest so. I've arranged matters with
Webster Wixon, and'-
Nancy burst into tears, and ran out
Of the room.
Mr.. Moppet glared balefully after
her.
She shall marry HIM ! mut,ered he,
or she shall be no darter of mine l
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 rustic Apollo. want
to see ye-right off,.
1t was Il 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 timel said he to himself
There's frosty feel in the air.
Grandfather Atkins lay among his
pillows. like a wrinkIed old ghost.
john said he, all I've got in the
world is yours, but | think ia ought
to tell you where have hid it, since
the bank robbery give me such a scarce.
Certainly, certainly!' said his SON.
n-law, with eager eyes, like those of a
bird of prey.
I've hid it away
John Moppct placed his ear close to
lne )alliu ilps'
Six five. hundred dollar bills -
Yes, yes-go on?
Folded up in an old number Of The
Horn Hill Gazette
AN old number of The Horn Hill
Gazette-I understand + repeated John
Moppet.
In the old stoye ont in the shed -
gasped the ola man. i knowed nobody
wouldn't be likely to look there It
yours, John Moppet cent of it.
And mind you, don't spend it in no
extravaganza I
So speaking, the old miser closed his
dim eyes 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
papers IN the stove, to make sure of a
draught, when it was put up in the
ncrlhwest corner of the church the
roar OF the blaze through the lengths Of
Russia iron pipe. In his excellent
management he had contrlved to over
reach himself.
He went home and sat all the evening
in a sort of stupor, with his head in his
hands,
Nancy, busted about her household
tasks, watched him with hazel eyes of
surprise.
i did not know he thought so much
of Gran ther Atkins pondersd she.
six time. five is thirty-six times
FIVE is thirty unused Mr.. Moppet,
rocking to and fro. 'Si1 6ve hundred
dollars bills Three-thou,and-dollars
and all gone up chimbly in one
breath O. wind, and me has done it. |
shall 60 crazy. I shall lose my mind
Observation-Disclosures! It's a
judgment on me. I've been mis- able
sinner, and cheated the church. I've
tamprred with nay own conscience. Six
times five Is thirty! Six Ave hundred
dollar bills! On, Lord, there amt no
calculatin what mis- able sinner I've
been.
As the old kitchen clock struck 8,
Absalom Parker came in, bringing with
him n 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 | d
like to speak word to you first
If it's about Nancy, it ain t no use
.aid Mr.. Moppet, rousing himself to the
affairs of the world with some petulance.
1T amt about Nancy, AbsaIom an
swered, with a smile. It's about MIR.
Atkins money
Nj Moppet gave a start.
oh, you needn't jump 50, reassured
Absalom. Its .,ll ssie.'
He took fat parcel out Of his pock,
ct.
Count EN-, said he, Six, amt
.l,n,, 9,