The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-09-03
THE TARLEs !, TuRNED.

When was young girl, my uncle.
who had q large factory, found, ono
Saturday morning, that the confiden-
| tial clerk, who always went to town to
draw the money with which tc pay the
hands at five o'clock, had been taken
with q violent attack of intiammatory
rheumatism, and was unable to attend
! to tho business To 60 himself was to
break an engagement which was of tho
| first importance, and he was lamenting
| the fact in my presence.
"It's hundred pounds out of my
pocket to leave this afternoon.' he
said, "but there's no one else. and my
men arsl women all need their money.
Why aren't you young man, Jessic?'
Cant q young woman draw money
from a bankP" l asked.
''Ycs, certainly she can," said my
uncle
Very well." said !, '.let me go. I'll
take the gig and be back in no time. !"
.'It's u strange crrand for young
woman" said my uncle; "hut it's day
light, and no one will know what YOU
have got about you. You may go, Jes-
sic, but l shall be very anxious until /
see You again.
Before lie had ceased speaking had
hurried away to order tho horse to be
put to the gig, and get on my cloak
and hat.
1t was clear bright winters day,
and drove to town without any un-
usual incident; went to the bank, drew
the money, put it into n leather bag,
which l hid undcrmy cloak, and started
off again. There now seemed nothing
before mo but to drive home rs fast rs
could, but my story will prove that 1
was mistaken.
just us took the reins in my hand
an old woman hailed me. l rccog-
nizcd her us the mother of ono of our
factory hands-an Italian, who hard
never seemed very prepossessing to me.
II beg pardon, miss" she said, with
her peculiar accent, which l should
find it impossible to initiate; "but will
my son get his pay to-day? They told
me the hands would not be paid, and l
am anxious"
'Ycs. yes" answered. Don't bo
afraid. They will be paid Mr.. Pelli-
co is sick, but have come to get the
money myself. 1t is all right. "
"Thank Heavcn!'' said the old wo-
| u'.'h, W. ''Ao ~ 'ciJ pun lt uolle,
every penny is gone by Saturday night.
Ahn' and she gave q little groan.
What is itP" l asked.
"The rheumatism in my ankle" said
she. And if miss would but let mo
ride with her to my house. 1t is on tho
road. !"
/ Get in," l said, and turned the
horse so that she could do so. 1t was
not five minutes drive to tho old wo-
mans home, and my bag was safe on
my arm under my cloak.
She climbed in with me with an ex-
preston OF the wish that l might al
ways bo able to ride in my carriage,
and We reached her poor hut very
shortly.
BY this time her knee had become so
much worse that l was obliged to get
down and lift her out, and assist her
into the house.
cit was sitting on the cold steps,
suppose" She said. at was foolish,
but was SO anxious. You don't know
what it is TO be-poor. All, if had but
Il cup OF tea. Miss, will you reach mo
my tea-caddy? My kettle boils, and l
can make some"
did as she asked me. There was
plenty of time, and felt sorry for the
0d creature.
She made the tea, and seeming to
grow better, limped to shelf and
took down two cups and q sugar-bowl
and milking.
The place was very clean, and the
tea was fragrant. She filed both the
cups and begged me TO drink one.
at is SO cold" she said
1t was cold, but was growing i'm
patient.
II cannot stay" said. .'This bus
/ mess of mine is Important, you Know"
Yes" she said, '.but how long
would it take to drink cup of teapn
But had walked 10 the door. There
l received an unpleasant surprise. My
gig was gone. A boy went whisting
along the road ut that moment |
called to him ;:ld asked him if he had
seen it. He answered no.
ran up the road and then down, but
saw nothing of the horse and vehicle.
AT last | ret,s'ned to the cottage, in
tending to enquire where l could hire
q wagon.
The old woman replied that she wac
now SO much better that she coul,;
manage to get to her nearest neighbor,
who would do anything for her, and
make him send me home in his wagon.
meanwhile, drink your tea, or
shall think you too proud to cat in a
poor mans house,"
Then she left me.
laughed and sat down Mt tho table.
was not an cXcitable person, and not
ut all nervous, and resolved to drink
the tea.
had just drawn the cup towards me
when my eye rested on h;. of paper
hastily screwed up and tossed towards
the fire, which had not. however, more
than scorchcd it.
shall always believe that it was my
guardian angel that made me pick it up
and open it, for had none of the sort
of curiosity,that would naturally have
impellcd me to such IN act.
1t was covered with writing in blue
pencil, which was used considerably in
the factory, and it was in Italian.
My knowledge of the language was
sufficient to enable me to read it.
Judge of my horror when had done
80, for this was its tenor:
Mother The @ change q. l :, has come me to mako our
III.
who cannot read it; but burn 1T at once
MIR. Pellico Is III. The yonng Indy will
draw .hc money from the bank. Get her 10
our house, somehow. You nre bright enough
TO do II IL you choose. Make her drink some
tea IL you can, and put with it the powder in
the litIle blue bottc. IF you cannot do that,
the knife. Then take the money and 20 to-
you know where-and will meet you. Re.
member-sct The horse on its road first of ali. y
For one moment felt that | must
faint. Then ] said to myself
Courage alono can save me-"
! had the paper in my bosom, and
drew my cup towards me.
AT this instant the old woman re-
turned. knew that she had not been
to her nei2hbor's, and saw u 1iendish
. look in her black eyes.
"All is right" she said; 'thc wagon
will be hero soon. But you do not
drink your tea?'
Take some more yourself" said.
She lifted up the pot. poured out o
cup, and smiled at me--tllc smile of Il
Judas. As she did SO. spoke sud-
denly:
Il think your dress is on fire." said.
She turned Sharcly In that instant