The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-12-21

Harmon Il Ruggles care! His patron
age was not of as much Importance as
it had been twenty years before. The
victims patience was finally exhausted
and there was a hint of fire in the
steel-blue eyes as he replied:
Squire Harmon, l never had any
more idea of marrytn' the Widow Har-
rington than you" He laid especial
stress upon the name.
Then what made you do such silly
things."
The lawyer was quick to note the
change of temper and did not care to
90 too far.
"Perhaps-it might bel spose-
that | was sorry for her; she didn't
seem to have none too many, friends;
an them that claimed to be her friends
'peared to have pretty much forgot
that she was alive.
The hit was a palpable one and the
lawyer WINGED.
Then why didn't you come cut and
say it was meant for charity. instead of
sneaking around as If you were ashamed
of it,"
The old man turned on his questioner
and said with reprOachful emphasis:
you used to claim to be her friend: do
you think she'd have taken anything
from me, if she'd known it,"
She said she'd go to the poorhouse
before she'd eat a crumb you had
touched. believe"
"Ie-: and she'd have died there too.
if joel Pike hadn't hefriendcd her--un-
bcknownst: and YOU know it, Squire"
"Oh. not so bad as that. | guess" an
swered the lawyer, a little confused by
the dlrectncss of the accusation.
Il never heard of anybody else
crowdin' favors on her-did YOU"
"Well-no: but for you-.)Oel Pike
to do such -things-now wasn't it
queer:'
It's been long while since | came
of age, Squire Harmon, said the other,
As he picked up his whip and mittens.
And then to think it was all lost
all wasted. Poor Joel Pike" continued
the lawyer, regardless alike of his vic
TINS words and acts. "One who had
waited until your time of life to begin
his C urting, deserved better luck, EN-,
.Joel:"
The man made no answer but twisted
his whip about his arm and started
towards the door.
Il suppose she couldn't get over the
way you you got the old place"
That was just what was the matter,
Squire" said the other, earnestly,
pausing by the door. 1T wasn't any of
her fault-sho Just didn't know"
OF course: and none of the money
paid for the place being found-it GER
tainly did look rather strange
so it did. said the Old man. candid
ly, Il never blamed susan bit-not
for that-at least"
And your failure to produce the
deed until his death, naturally aroused
her Suspicion
But had the deed and receipt
with u good witness, too"
Her hlisband:"
The other nodded.
lie claimed to have been drunk
when he signed it.
"iIe never swol'e to that. did hep
Il never heard that be did; and don't
know Is anybody would have believed
him If he had"
Il do said the old man almost
tcrccly. the lyin' white-livered skunk.
I'd give years work to have seer him
do il. an then have heard YOU ask him.
III your very gran,iest way, just to
please wipe his eyes on a certain other
paper you'd have handed him.
You'd have enjoyed it, too,
Squire. 1t would have been worth re-
Wondering by every one that heard
it."
The mans vengeful glce, though
very quiet, was apparent enough.
What paper was that, JOEL" asked
the Senior. He was not t. be diverted
from his object by the others anger.
No matter-he knew"
There wasn't any love lost between
You two:'
If you knew about half as much as
you think you do, Squire, you wouldn't
wonder"
Il don't know much," was the conf
| dent reply, but | can guess at things
pretty close"
No doubt of that, Squire. Iou can
see into a milestone as far as the man
| that picks it, no matter who he is-and
| guess a deal farther. In some cases
| gucssin' is just as good As KNOWN.
which is the reason, | suppose, why
| people generally have more confidence
| in what they guess at than in what
! they know"
| We'll. how could You expect one n It
/ to guess the secret of such transact
/ ton? II you'd nothing to be ashamed
( of. why didn't YOU come out and make
a clean breast Of the whole Natter
IHttc Na-u biit one c"SDu HaU
any right to know about it
! You mean Mrs. ilarrington?'
! Il mean Joshua Gcdncy's daughter. ~
of cour-e: did you tell her.
she never asked"
You woul6 if she had. | SUPPOSE
L don't know as l would. Squire. |
guess twas best she shouldn't know
until ii" end.
You mean when she died."
The other made no answer.
"luu're a queer man. JCc}. They
say you wanted to marry the daughter,
after tle mother Was gone"
L offered her q home told her il
sho'd come and live with ne, I'd give
her the best education to be got and
leave her everything when | was
through with it
YOU wanted a daughter. then-no'
Il wife," sarcaoticallV.