The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-10-25

snip WHICH were FORMING bCkAFeEu J1pl
Buck aud Rebecca, but offered not a
word Of remonstrance II Jacob Bugs
was aware Of the growing familiarity he
did not show it. Al more important
matter was pressing upon his mind. Sew
eral mortgage notes were about to ma
ture So long as the interest was paid
/ the notes could be renewed, as they had
been renewed for several years previous.
/ But the crisis seemed to be upon him
this time without a chance to avert it.
Three hundred dollars of interest money
must be paid on the first of September or
the mortgage would be foreclosed; and
foreclosure meant ruin. His crops as
usual, had been failures. He owed John
Buck for half the seasons work, and yet
that courteous, patient fellow did not
| demur. His credit was exhausted. The
neighbors all plead stringency in the
money market. The farm would not
stand another mortgage, and, so far as
he could see, he was at the end of his
rope, True, he might sell three of his
horses and several cows and thus raise
the three hundred dollars, but then what
was he to do with the farm with one
horse and one COW as his amount of live
stock?
There seemed to be nothing for it but
the poorhouse, he said one night as he
slowly arose from his accustomed even
ing seat on the porch and started off to
bed. Mrs. Buggs followed, softly weep
ing. and John Buck was left alone with
Rebecca.
Neither felt like indnlging in the usual
evening conversation. Father Buggs
eliminating ruinseemed to Cypress them
both. A long silence ensued It was
broken at last by Rebecca.
s'Mr. Buck, how far is it to Kansas
Cityg'
John replied that it was about two
hundred miles.
what will it cost to make the trip
there and to return was her next ques-
ton.
"Abont ten dollars
ssWill you lend me the money until
can make the Journey
with pleasure, 2 was his reply.
He went into the house and returned
in few minutes with ten dollar bill,
several times before she could thank
him. Then without word she turned
and walked into the house.
Next day she started out for a walk.
When night came she was still absent.
Mrs. Bugs began to show uneasiness.
Thereupon John Buck told the uneasy
mosaer that for some reason her daugh-
5ral- had frnl1a ff, Koy1caa fifv
Farmer Buggs did not notice the alb
sence of Rebecca. His mind was almost
paralyzed with the one thought that the
next day would be the first Of Septem-
Der, when ruin would at last claim him
as victim.
There was no work in the house or
upon the farm next day. Mrs. Bugs
sat rocking herself slowly while she
wept silently behind her apron. Jacob
Bugs walked doggedly about waiting
for the crash.
Neither saw John Buck drive away in
the red spring wagon. They did not
notice his return until the voice of Re
becca aroused them from their gloom.
She left John sitting in the wagon while
she ran up the path and called cheerily:
PUT ON your coat, father, and let
John drive you to Morgan's Mills. Re
member, your notes are due today, and
that interest must be paid"
The old man turned to look at her
with utter amazenent.
She laughed Inerily and shook some
bank notes in his face.
There's the m0ney--three hundred
dollars; SO jump in the wagon and hurry
off. The farm is yours for another year,
and in whole year you know many
good things can occnr."
''Three hundred dollars gasped the
old man. why, child, where did you
get it ?"
"Never mind where got it. had a
pair Of diamond earrings and watch
yesterday. Both were useless out here,
SO long as diamonds are not fashionable
and your eight day clock keeps such
good time. | was afraid the jewelry
would be stolen, and so | ran down to
Kansas City and sold it, There's the
money. I'll lend it to you.
"God bless my little girl" groaned the
old farmer as he snatched the bills from
her hands.
Ten minutes later the old gray mare
was galloping back to Morgan's Mills un-
der the magnetic urging Of his masters
whip.
From that day Jacob Bugs manners
changed toward Rebecca. He made her
his goddess, at whose shrine he paid the
humble homage of his simple soul. She