The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-08


found how contagious they were.
In the midst of all this uproar man
mounted the stoop and rung the bell;
but it was Bridget's day out, and in all
this noisy distress none of the Pillikins
heard the bell. Pillikin had in his agi-
tation left the door ajar, and nobody
had thought to shut it. So the stranger
walked into the little reception room,
hoping that he soon would have an OPP
portunity of making himself known.
When all this sobbing fell upon his ear,
he was annoyed and shocked, and
scarcely knew what to do. Through a
crevice in the door that separated the
reception from the dining-roOm, he saw
10 Pillikin sitting by the table, his head
bowed upon his hands, one pretty young
woman dressed in some soft, warm, gay
material sobbing on one of his shoulders,
and still younger and prettier woman
dressed in black sobbing on his other
shoulder, and around the room, all about
the floor and chairs, were innumerable
children, all howlilg at the top of their
lungs. Pillikin hastily dried his tears
and composed his features, and began to
sooth his family. He took one of the
pretty women on one knee, the other on
the other knee, and gave each OF his ten
fingers to the young brood, hushing and
coaxing them into calm.
There, there" said 10, don't cry
any more. Pm heartless brute to have
worried you so. But could't help it..
feel better now; but l never was so
completely broken up in my life. L
don't mind telling that I've done very
imprudent thing. 1t has weighed like a
mountain of lead upon my heart and
conscience; but feel more courageous
now that l know you love me well
enough to share the burden. But l
ought to have to have kept my temper.
A man ought to think of his family
when his situation is at stake, and it was
enough to make Hardscrabble lose what
decency he ever had to see Brown of
Nevada go into Scrimmage & Co.'S"
Both the women started and turned
pale.
"Oh, Sue! faltered the wife to her
sister-"Brown of Nevada"
"Oh, Kate!" gasped the young widow
to the wife-''into Scrimmage & Co'sW
"Brown of Nevada!" they repeated
together, shaking their heads mournful-
eyes, Brown of Nevada!" repeated
10, also shaking his head mournfully,
but feeling consoled, in spite of himself,
with his family's full appreciation of
the disaster that had befallen him.
"This was the drop that overhowed the
bitterness of my cup. Brown has always
been my best card. 1t was pleasure to
sell to Brown. Most of these men
would skin flea for its hide. But
there's nothing mean about Brown"
There's something very mean in his
going to Scrimmage's, said Mrs. Pilli-
kin.
~ call it very dishonorable action"
said the widow.
"No," said Pillikin, mot dishonorable
exactly; but l must say, if he WASH t
satisfied with me, he might have bought
his goods of some other concern, and
not gone over to Scrimmage's right be-
fore Hardscrabble's eyes"
Here something like distant cough
was heard. They all looked round but
thought it must be one of the children,
at was like flinging a red flag in the
face of a mad BULL" continued 10.
"Hardscrabble was white with rage, and
didn't know what he said. I'm sorry
now 1 allowed myself to reply as l did.
But it was bitter blow to me to know
that Brown of Nevada, of all men in the
trade, should But 1 tell you there's
somebody in the other room" Poor
10 turned pale again. "I'm afraid it's
Brown with that bill; l told him to call
around. l can't pay him now; its i'm
possible. But I'll have to see him 1
suppose"
ing to her feet; "Tll see him. I'll tell
him you're not well, that you can't see
anybody"
"That's good girl" said Pillikin,
with sigh of relief. "Say that I'll cali
around next week. Heaven knows
when l can pay him now; but say that
I'll call around"
The young widow went round through
the hall into the reception room, and
found there young man of fine pro-
portions and frank, pleasant counte-
nance, who Immediately began to apol-
ogize.
~ rang the BELL" he said, "but no.
body heard me, and finding the door
ajar 1 took the liberty of walking in.
I'm exceedingly sorry to be the cause of
so much trouble. If you'll first tell Mr..
Pillikin that my name is Brown, he'll
guess the nature of my Grand"
hO Oil huOW JOul Olldlui Sdlu lhO
widow "My poor dear brother-in-law
guessed it right away. About the first
og the month there are so many people
coming here upon the same errand! And
I've got splendid idea what to do with
them. My brother in-law is such dear
good fellow, he's always robbing himself
to help others; he's given me home
and my little orphan boy home, and
no wonder he can't pay his bills. But
I've got piano and stool, and lots of
music, and cover that I've embroider-
ed with my own hands, and these must
be worth something considerable
Something very considerable" said
the stranger, looking at the young
widow earnestly.
"And LIN going to make the piano
and stool and music and embroidered
cover go as far as they will with my
brother-in-law's bills. Now, I'll give
you the first chance. Where is your bill?
What is the amountP'
The young redeemed, bit his lips,
smiled. There is some mistake" he
said.
isn't your name Brown, and haven t
you come to collect bill?"
II have not come to collect bill. My
name is Brown, but DOM think it's the
same Brown. There are great many
Browns. If you will tell your brother
in-law that l am Brown Of Nevada"
"Oh!" gasped the widow; and for a
moment Brown of Nevada though she
was going to faint. He sprang to her
side to save her from falling, but she re-
covered herself, and her breath and color