Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-11

grandfather that he could easily replace
the money which had SO mysteriously
disappeared, but that he would not do
SO as he had not taken it, and he had
been the chief sufferer by the occurrence
anyhow. Fifty years passed in this way.
Col. Curtis and Mr.. Carlisle never met,
but after each letter from the lawyer
the colonel begged in reply that he would
say nothing more about it. During this
time both of the men had grown to be
old, and each had grandchildren, who
had become men and women. | had
been away from the old place long
time, and from the time when | went off
to college till l got married ten years
after had only paid two or three very
short visits to the sturdy old couple,
who still lived in the home of their youth,
and marveled that their children and
grandchildren could find content in the
great and busy cities of New York and
Philadelphia. When became engaged
to be married l promised to spend my
honeymoon with the old couple, and
there l took my young wife, who is a
daughter, you know, of Gen. Hartford,
of the army.
My grandfather, who was then Sc
years old, fell completely in love with
my wife, and made a great to do over
her. His favorite seat was in the old
counting room, which was no longer
used as such, as the old gentleman had
long since given up active business. The
old clock licked away in the same cor
ner, and the iron bound oak strong box
was in its accustomed place and was
still used to hold valuable papers, but
the money was now kept in the bank in
the little city which had grown up a few
miles away. We were married a few
days after Christmas, and my wife's first
visit to the old counting room was on
New Years day of 1880. There she
found my grandfather just as his
mornings mail and newspapers had
| reached him. He put them aside at once
10 receive her and place for her com
Portable seat before the huge blazing
logs which burned and cracked in the
good old fireplace.
The quaint and old fashioned furniture
pleased her nightly, and my grand
! father was delighted that she should be
go easily pleased. He told her how long
lie had had this piece of furniture and
that, but she was more interested in the
strong box and in the clock than in any
thing else. He opened the box for her
and explained how half century before
it was used for the storage of gold and
silver. He also opened the door of the
old clock. and she watched the dignified
brass pendulum move to and fro. She
took my grandfather's stick and in a
whim poked down into the clock.
''Why, colonel" she said as she poked
about the bottom of the clock case.
there is something in the bottom of the
clock"
''Oh, fancy not; put your hand in,
William" speaking to me, land see
what Lois has found"
l did as l was bid, and pulled out an
old canvas bag marked j. J in faded
letters. As soon as the old gentlemI -
s--S the Dag his face became pale and he
would have fallen had 1 not helped him
to his chair. He told me to put the bag on
his table and to go for my grandmother
| My grandmother hustled over to the
counting room, much worried at tie
sudden summons. When we reache i
there we found that my wife had opened
the bag and taken from it 200 ten dollar
gold pieces. My grandfather said to his
wife when she entered:
Maria, there is the Joshua Jones bag
OF gold with the two Thousand dollars il
it. Lois found it in the bottom of TIE
old clock. l remember now perfectly
that when old Josh Jones paid it to me
put it myself in the bottom of the clock
case and meant TO take it out in Il. =,
morning. Until this moment l forgG5
al about putting it there; now remem-
Der it perfectly"
Ny grandInother's usually rosy cheeks
We're white now as she asked:
Have you heard from John this year
father
There is letter from him this morn
ing. I shall write and tell him that the
money is found and beg his pardon"
No, father" the old lady answered,
"you should go to him if you were able,
but as you are not, you should invite
him to come here"
''I'll do it. I'll write at once ba said