South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-01-16

the moonlight that poured through il
she quickly saw, IS she peeped under
the counter. that Dicks bed was emp,
ty. The boy was gone.
Gonel Gouel on, that was worse
to Granny Briggs than even he los.
OF her money, for sac bad trusted
MIN, and he had deceived her. she
had loved him, and be hsd abused
her love. The neighbors were right
she WAS fool to trust q strange street
bsy.and bad been served rightly when
he rnbted her.
When The dawn bad broken the wise
nsighbors came into granny's shop 20
ind her crying aud rocking to and
fro. aud said they had told her so
she only shook her head. Life had
lost its interest for her. Her occu.
patton vas gone, but not with her
savings. Money was not money, af /.
Ter all; he bad come to lie the only
thing she loved and Dick had rob-
bed her.
1t WAS 10 o'clock. Granny sat
mourning by the kitchen hearth.
Good. natured Mrs. Joues, from up
stairs, was seeing to things aud try
ing TO cheer her, when suddenly there
came rap on the door, and police
man looked In.
Mrs. Briggs 2 he said.
Here she is,' said Mrs. Jones.
yes, I'm the wreiched crittur,
said Mrs. Briggs.
Some one wants to zee you at
head quarters. said the officer.
There's boy there, aud some mon
ey.'
'DickI cried Mrs. Briggs. ooh,
can't bear to look at him
But Mrs. Jones had already tied on
her bonnet. and wrapped her In o
shawl, and taken her on her arm.
tue wretch ! she said. I'm so
glad he's caught; you'll get your
money back
I And she led Mrs. Briggs along
poor Mrs. Briggs, who cried all the
way and cared nothing for the money.
And soon they we're at their destina-
ton. Then; not before, the police
man turned to the two women.
It's pretty bad he said. They'll
take him TO the hospital ia an hour.
suppose you are prepared for that.
He's nearly beaten TO death 7
Did you beat him, you cruel
wretch 2 cried Mrs. Briggs. Il
wouldn't have had it done for half
the money. Let him go with 1t. If it's
any comfort to him.'
Il beat him I said the man. fwell,
women have The stupidcst heads.
Why, il hadn't got up when I did
he'd have been dead. He held the
bag of money tight, and the thief
vas pummelirg him with loaded
stick: and The pluck he had for lite
tie shaver, tell you, never saw
the Ike.
You sha'n't take granny's money
from her, says he, and he fough BIT like
q tiger. IL it's your monsy, old lady,
he's given his life for it for all
know
'Ob, Dick, Dick ! I know you were
good. l must have been crazy to
doubt you and then che wrung her
hands and cried. Oh, Dick, for just
paltry bit of money!
And so she koelt beside the still,
pale face upon the pillow aud kissed
II and called it tender names.
And Dick, never guessing Der
suspicious Of him, whispered
4 was so afraid he'd get off With
it granny, IL be killed me, and you ia
such high hopes last nj ht.'
He did not know what she meant
by begging him to forgive her. Ii
would have killed him II he had, for
lie was very near 10 death.
Dick did not die. He got we'll at
last, and vent back to tbe little shop.
Aud, though Granny Briggs had her
savings. she never went to the old
ladies' home; for long before she
died Dick was one OF the most pros
porous merchants IN the city, and bis
handsome house vas hers, and she
WAS happy.