The National tribune., 1893-03-09

Where's the watch suppose you forgo
that"
"0h! no, sir. Here it is" and Samuel eager
ly reached for it. What Was his confusion
his terror, when he found that instead he ex
tended the inevitable ten.dollar bill. Instinct
lively he felt in every pocket until be had
laid out before him six greenbacks; but
when he finally drew forth the two notes hi
bad acquired on the borse.ca with third
clinging TO them, lie desisted, and stood like
detected thief before his master.
What's this. what's this?" cried the sus-
picious Mr.. Gimp. Ninety dollars in fresh
new bills and only yesterday you were begging
to draw s. on account of your wages. l mus,
look into this. Where did you get this sum
sir?n
g. can't tell you." qusvered the frightened
clerk.
"You can't tell me Well. I can't afford to
employ a capitalist at Sc per week. Where's
the watch, say?"
AZ don't know, sir. I must have lost it."
Lost it, you scoundrel! Now git before
give you into custody. As for this money, I'll
hold il until your accounts are written up
and you find my valuable timepiece. Git
say"
With downcast mien. Samuel SUNK out oil
the store, a jeer and butt to all the clerks.
He fingered on the sidewalk and fattened his
| nose against the show window like a beggar
outside restaurant. He had spent many long,
unhappy hours within, overworked, half starv-
| ed, and berated: but oh how proud he had
been to be salesman with counter of his
own, and now, alas he had lost both situation
and character. tear trickled down the mis-
cradle Sammy's cheek. Mechanically he sought
his handkerchief and gained n-dollar green
back.
Events had been too hurried for Samuel. He
couldn't as yet comprehend. He realized that
| he had an uncomfortable store Of wealth, but
whence or how he didn't know, nor did he
much care since it seemed first to get him into
trouble and then to disappear. How unsettled
he felt, how lonely, low sad Where should he
go, what should he do with himself; for who
cared to be bothered with him? His thoughts
turned to the cruel Kate. Perhaps she would
reent and be glad to see him. Perhaps she
might explain the uHex plaina ole! Might not
some little gift propi.iate her? Why, of course !;
and didn't he have money in his very grasp?
I'll keep it there" he murmured, with a
touch of shrewdness. land then I'll have no
| trouble with these COMPOUNDED pockets"
But what should he get? All he recollected
the pin of forget me- nots. The very thing
and only $50. Lightened by hope, he has
tened to the jewelers. and obtained the coveted
keepsake. which he buttoned tightly in bis in
side pocket close to his ardent heart Then
away for four-mile stroll to the home of his
| beloved. Why should he not walk? The day
was young; he was a man of leisure. He
looked at the gliding horse car and shuddered
| slightly. Yes. assuredly, he would walk; the
exercise would be beneficial.
He arrived. Alas! how quickly were his
fond hopes e1tinguished. His bonny Kate re.
ceived him coldly, and in the presence of her
mother, the Widow Quigley. Their eyebrows
mutually expressed interrogation.
five come" Sammy siammered, ito ask
your forgiveness. and let bygones be bygones.
and please will you accept this trifling gift?
IL think it quite appropriate"
All in culver of expectancy he nnbuttoned
his coat and made his offering. Alas, and alas
Kate screamed and tainted The widow
screamed and advanced with menacing fingers.
90, you whelp; you villain you ]" she cried.
Do you dare to prefer money to my child
Do you think you can insult two defenseless
females with immunity? Ugb you wretch /
could scratch your nasty little eyes out"
Sammy looked and saw.
"Oh, Lord" he calculated, as he tore the
offending greenback into bits and dashed from
the house without his hat.
How he ever got to his lodgings he never
knew. A confused remembrance remained of
q race through the streets, of startled way
farers. of expostulating policemen. of following
crowds of an angry landlady, and of her dread
ful whisper TO the scullion: Hes drunk
How disgraceful!" But he gained this poor
asylum, where he might at least be alone and
hide; and he threw himself on the bed and
buried his head as well as possible in the poul-
tice-like pillow, and for hours lay unconscious
in the stupor OF despair.
When he awoke he was refreshed-his mind
was clear. He recalled the old woman's part
ing assurance that whatever he would wish
for, that thing he should receive. He recalled
his wish that every time he put his hand in his
pocket he might draw out ten-dollsr green
back. Evidently, them the beldam must have
possessed supernatural powers; evidently. then,
her words had been true. Well, heretofore he
had struggled against the disadvantages of the
gift, now he would try its virtues. Truly he
could not continue to pay for whatever he pur-
chased with ten-dolar bills and put the change
back in his pockets. Already they bulged with
articles he could not withdraw. But might he
not open bank account; might he not always
give checks, as some men did? Come. now! he
would arrange deposit for the morrow which
should open their eyes-from the snpercilious
cashier to the scofing messenger. Samuel spent
that evening in pulling fresh, crisp ten-dollar
notes from his pockets, and only desisted when
his hand grew quite sore and his trousers began
to fray.
The next morning he went to the bank,
where he was known through his late employ
er's dealings. and, to the bewilderment of the
teller, opened personal account by depositing
1000 ten-dollar greenbacks."
Let me congratulate you, sir" said that
1unctonary, having In MIND q lucky lottery
ticket.
Don't mention it," replied Sammy, as he
placed the checkbook in his inside pocket. He
turned away, stopped, and then stepped back
again.
81 beg pardon" he exclaimed, "but shall
have to trouble you for another cheekbook. /
find / shall have use for it," and this obtaining
and holding in his hand, he went on his way
rejoicing.
Well, well, this was something like! In the
evening he bought more ham and cheese and
ale, and gave check for the amount of his &C.
count !. e.. 81 cents, nor did he much care, be.
cause in his inadvertence, he lost the viands
through thrusting them in his pocket. No, no;
he had important financial matters to engross
his attention, let hand smart and cloth fray
and be hanged to them.
Bright and early on the following morning
he was again at the bank. How really fright
ened the teller seemed to be to see him. He
accepted the deposit. of course, but how slowly
he counted il over, and how infinitely he ex-
amined each bill!
While this operation was in process, Sammy
felt hand on his shoulder, and q very respect
able man in citizens dress, but with an awe.
inspiring badge on his vest, said Follow me-
sir" The stranger led him into an inner
room, and there were two portly old gentlemen
who eyed him almost as the teller had. but
more curiously and with less fear, and then
Sammy learned that one was the President of
the bank, and the other high Government of
fetal, while the man at his elbow was detect