The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-06-03

4
the same fashion in my best room, and"
with long whistle-''why shouldn't
l have it?
There's that second handed stove
that Gran'ther Atkins took for debt
from Scion Grubb I'll fetch it home
tomorrow and black it up and let Elder
Meacham suppose got a bargain from
some body, and I'll have the nice new
stove for myself and nobody'll be none
the wiser now that Gran'ther Atkins is
confined to the bed with creepin'
paralysis and Absalom Parker's up in
the wood lot chopin down trees for
winter firewood."
He drew rein opposite the Atkins
house. All was dark and quiet there
save the one red light that burned in
old Mr.. Atkins bedroom.
1t was no difficult task for man of
John Moppet's physical strength skill
fully to lift the old stove out of its place
in the outer shed into his wagon.
"Git up, Prince!" he muttered to his
horse, shaking the reins, and away he
went.
'Mr. Atkins is took wuss," said Abb
salon one afternoon, standing at the
doorway. Wants to see copyright
off"
Grandfather Atkins lay among the
pillows, like wrinkled old ghost.
john" said he, "all I've got in the
world is yours, but think I'd ought to
tell you where I've hid it sense the bank
robbery gave me such a scare"
1--WE hid it away"
John Moppet placed his ear close to
the pallid lips.
''Six Observation-Disclosures bills, folded
up in an old number of the Horn Hill
Gazette! In the old stove out in the
shedH' gasped the old man. 81 knowed
nobody wouldn't be likely to look for
EN- there! It's yours, John Moppet-
every cent of it."
So speaking, the old miser closed his
dim eyes and went where there is nei-
their money nor counting of money.
John Moppet uttered an exceedingly
bitter cry as he remembered the lighted
match he had put to the crumpled old
papers in the stove to make sure of a
draught when it was put up in the
church.
He went home and sat all evening in
a sort of stupor, with his head in his
hands.
AS the old kitchen clock struck nine
Absalom Parker came in, bringing
with him gust of fresh, frosty wind.
"Evenin' squire" he said I'm SOFT
o looking up the watchers. S'pose
you'd like to be one of EN-? But I'd
like to speak a word to you first"
IF It's about Nancy, it amt no USE"
said Mr.. Moppet, rousing himself to
the affairs of the world with some pet
ulance.
at amt about Nancy" Absalom am
swered, with a smile. Its about Mr..
Atkins money.
"Oh! you needn't jump so, treasured
Absalom. "It's all safe"
He took a fiat parcel out of his pocket.
Count EN-" he said Six, amt
there?"
Mr.. Moppet stared at Absalom Parker
as Aladdin might have stared at the
genii.
Absalom gave low chuclSle
HUSH" said he. Don't speak aloud.
| seen the old man hide 'em there. I
lnowed it wasn't safe, so l took EN-
out And you may thank me they
wasn't all burned up in the first fire you
| lighted in that identical stove"
"You know about the stove?" said
| Mr.. Moppet, with a gasp.
1T wasn't likely no such coniuring
would go on about Mr.. Atkins place
and me not know it." said Parker, dry
| ly. II guess the church folksll get
/ sick of it before great while"
when they do I'll make EN- present
of brand new one. And, Absalom-"
Yes, Mr.. Moppet?"
Since you and Nancy really are at
tached to each other"
Were just that, Mr.. Moppet."
Il don't see no objection to your get
tin married this fall" said Mr.. Moppet,
with an effort.-St Louis Star-Sayings.
-Wife--"I wish had taken the ad-
vice of my friends when married you
They all said you were a fool" Hus-
band-"Ies, that's what my friends told