The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-09-16

Darius Jones to his better half, as he
got up from the supper table and with
great deliberation filed his briar-wood
pipe from tin box which looked as if
it had seen hard service. Deacon
Sykes will take the huh ont as soon S
his payment comes due, and that's
less'n a fortnight, so don't worry any
more about it," With this, Farmer
Jones settled himself in his big arm
chair to enjoy his evening pipe.
We'll, Darius" said Mrs. Jones, 'the
sooner that money turns into good
mortgage bearing six per cent. the bet
ter itll be for my peace o mind.
hain't forgot the desperit doin's of
them air tramps over 10 jeff Bowman S
less n year ago, when they most killed
poor old Jeff torturin' him to make
him tell whore his money was hid, and
She shook out her snowy tablecloth
with nervous little jerks, as if she saw
the tramps then and there in her mind
eye.
Darius had sold the west lott for
three thousand dollars in crisp bank
notes. This he had that day brought
hoAiit anu NltulH ttic
little wooded chest that had long served
as repository for sundry deeds and
mortgages, the fruits of life of stern
est toll and nnceasing frugSity. Gift
ed by nature with a strong constitl-
ton. Darius had, many years before,
settled in comparatively new region
IN western Pennsylvania, and after TAX
ing to himself helpmeet, the pair had
devoted themselves with unceasing en-
ergy to the task of redeeming their new
land to state of cultivation. Slowly,
bnt surely, the black skirted forest re-
ceded from the humble log cabin, the
uns.ghtlv stumps aud brush. heaps gave
place to broad fields of waving grain,
and at last the old log house, with all
its sacred associations, was torn down
and replaced by modern dwelling
quite pretentious in its architecture
Children they had. but all were mar
ried and had left the parental roof.
And, now on the shady side of sixty,
Farmer Jones and wife decided it
wsuld be better to sell a part of the
farm ana so relieve themselves of a
portion of their burdens and response
bilities. Josiah Pendleton stood ready
totake the west lot fifty acres) at six
~ dollars an acre. and when Darius
called one day and announced that he
was ready to draw ''writin's, ;" the con
veyance was quickly made and the
money paid over. Three thousand dol
lars. Quite enough to tempt the cupid
ity and excite the avarice of certain
worthless characters of that neighbor-
hood. SO reasoned Mrs. Jones, and al
though Darius did his best to reassure
that nervous little body, his efforts
were far from successful
There amt a soul as knows a thing
about it, 'cept Josiar and his folks, an
l cautioned EN-, over and over agi'n,
not to say word about it,"
What can't be cured, must be en-
dmed," was Mrs. Jones philosophic re-
Joinder. 81 shan't enjoy nights rest,
though, till we're we'll rid ont"
Farmer Jones was not in the least
addicted to nervousness. On the con
trary, he was the very soul of self
possession and reliance. The feminine
timidity of Mrs. Jones was, however,
not without a certain effect on her hus-
baud.
VI b'leve I'll Just put a charge down
The old gun and set it where it'll be
handy" he remarked, Just before bed
time, and stepping into an adjoining
closet he brought ont formidable
booking muslset, a big powder-horn, a
bag of shot and some waterproof caps.
Darius examined the gun critically,
blowing into the muzzle with such
force that his checks bulgcd out like
those of the fat man in the dime mn-
scum,
"if any o them tramps try to burgle
me III make it mighty interesting for
'em," said our hero, as he finished his
inspection of the arm and poured a
heavy charge of powder into his broad
palm.
DO be keerful, Darius" expostulatcd
Mrs. Jones. n was in hopes Ia seen
tae last o that gun last spring when
you came in with your nose bleedin'
and yonr lip all swelled up after
Ahootin' that cat"
Il killed the cat. anyhow" said the
old man, a little testify. An | killed
bar with il, onc't too. Tina old gun
win kick leetle. but it'll shoot equal
60 any of their newfangled ones" And
draw ing out the iron rod, he drove the
paper wadding home with vigor that
WAS positively startling. and fitting the
sap ON the tube he stood the weapon
against the bureau in the bedroom and
where he could reach it from the bed.
Thar mother; 'forcwarned is fore
sr0cd. Mebby your stewin' haint
took the exact form of a warnin', but
hil answer the purpose jest as well, |
le> kon.' and Darius gazed thoughtfully
INTO the fire.
The conversation naturally turned on
fhe change their business affairs had
sa6en, and before they were aware of
The latcnesS of the hour the big clock
IA an adjoining room had struck twelve
with its slow and measured strokes.
The old farmer gave vent to his surprise
IN a iong-drawn whistle II declare
mother, | hadn't any idea it was so
late" he remarked with a sleepv
yawn "Guess we'd better go to bed,
o. am f.ald you won't get much sleep,
to-niSh,"