The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-01-22

now q - iltI SO my klfl caro- 1or 0t4
blind Jack, the fiddler, as this fne gem
tleman- As Greene says, he's too fancy
about himself to be honest I've often
heard the greater the rascal the more
genteel. an guess III load the rifle
He did load his rife, and placed II
near his bed. telling his wife that he
''wasn't goin' to lose any more money.
but the first one that came for dishonest
| purposes would lose his life
| So he went to bed, and thought more
Of his daughter than Of the money un-
der the carpet. However, he did think
Of his money sometimes, and, in fact
his thoughts ran from that 10 Jennie,
as the thoughts OF the money-lender ran
from his ducats to his daughter.
It was midnight before his wife slept
at all, but then her sleep was profound.
1t was broken at last by the strangest
and most thrilling Of sounds, no less
startling than heavy fall. and loud
harsh, reyerberating report, as though
cannon had been fired at her ear.
No woman is ever too frightened to
scream, and Mrs. Jameson's~ shrieks
Meres~ loud and shril as she covered
among the bed-clothes: and scrambling
rim the darkness and muttercd words
which she could not understand did not
tend to calm her.
There was rush Of feet in the hall
without: stout shoulder sent the door
inward with crash, and Dick Levoe,
who had made this upceremonious en-
trance. stood there. with a light high
above his head. his keen eyes scanning
the apartment swiftly.
1t took him moment to comprehend,
and then he laughed with immeasura-
Bile amusement
The miller, clad but lightly, was
sprawling on the floor, dazed wonder
in his face, the old rifle, which he had
struck as he had fell, lying harmless
beside him, and now unfoadcd: win
dow was open, and through It came
fine sheet OF rain; the old man was
soaking wet, and raindrops glistened
on his hair and scanty garments; his
bare feet were muddy, and altogeth Their
he presented any thing but an agree
able or presentable appearance.
What has happened2p asked Dick,
as soon as his mirth could be sup
pressed, as he aided the miller to his
feet.
III don't know!" stammered Jame-
son.
His wife, hearing voices, cautiously
pecped out from under her coverletsz
'Robbers!' she cried, shrilly. "They
have been here again. Have they shot
you, Harvey?"
mo, wife, Pm not shot said Harvey;
IAN l don't think there's been any rob-
bers about. Fact is, I've been sleep
walkin'"
tsWhatY'
1--WE been walkin' in my sleep, sure
as you liver groaned the miller. I'm
all wet, SO ! must. have gone out Of
doors, an the Lord only knows where
have been or what I've boon doin'l /
was dreaming of that ten pounds. -
He broke off and hurried to that spot
in which he had hidden the money.
1t was not there
You're rather old for such capers,
Harvey" his wifeswas saying.
But he didn't hear her, Very blank
ly he turned to Dick, who had now re-
treated to the threshold where Jennie
was standing, white and startled, but
rayishingly pretty.
Lad, the miller said, solemnly,= 81
believe I've robbed myself. I've heard
of such things, an now believe I've
done just that, an l amt got notion
where put the money"
is it gomez
Then you had bestpu on dry clothes,
sir, while go out and try to follow tho
tracks you have probably left in tho
garden. Your feet are SO muddy, I'm
sure you must have been there. I'll
report in a few minutes"
A whispered sentence to Jennie at the
door, and Dick was off to don his boots,
and laugh at the remembrance of the
miller's plight
With lantern he went out into the
rain, and his gravity departed again
as under the window of the miller's
chamber he discovered deeply indented
footprints, which proved that Jameson
had emerged Like schoolboy.
The big, bare feet left plain traces in
the soft soil of the garden, Dick fol-
lowed them on, across the road, and
found that they ceased at one corner of
the mill. Aloose board had been freshly
replaced. He drew it out, and there, in
tho aperture, found small tin box.
Taking it out, he hurried back to find
Jameson, his wife and Jennie up and
dressed waiting for him.
The miller took the box eagerly, and
opened it with scarcely steady hands.
There were the ten pounds, and under
them the money of which he had thought
Dick had robbed him.
Lad" he said, t1phing to his en-
-ploye, I've been thinkin' i'll of you for
the last few days an ask your pardon
If can ever do you good turn call on
me-"
II take your word, SIR" said Dick,
cheerfully going straight to Jennie and
taking her hand. Il want your consent
to my marrying Jennie some day, when
have proved myself able to take care
of her. We love each other, and ] hope,
sir, you'll not forget what love was to-
yourself once.
mo, l don't, lad" said the miller,
with tender glance towards his wife.
'But mill hand gets but poor wages, 4
an you'll have to walt awhile"
''As for that" said Dick, II think
you II have to look up another mill
hand, Mr.. j Jameson, for / have another
offer, and intend takingit. wasn't
brought up to labor, and was at college
when my father died, leaving me, in
stead of the thousands expected, moth
ing but my empty, unframed hands l.
left the college, and fate led me hither.
If have shown no talent as miller,
have won the sweetest girl in the world
to love me.
Now a friend of my father offers me
tho post of bools-keeper in his bank. at
n salary on which Jennie and can live,
| know didn't take your money, sir,
and I'll forgive you for suspecting that
] did If you'll give me Jennie.