The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-01-03

Just ten daysl''
And in ten days then, it is either
flight. the North river. or the morgue .
Ten days is good long time, re-
Piled Evelyn. II shan't worry myself
80 far ahead Good night I'm off to
sleep
Eight days of the ten had elapsed.
The Bankers, with courage born Of
desperation, had stuck it out. They
had become accustomed to their new
position. and. despite their failing
means, Charlie sometimes even fancied
himself rich.
The Hansons were delighted with
their new son-in-law. No words in the
English language were expressive
enough to sing their praises. They
had driven here and there. been taken
to all the theaters and feted every day
on the fat of the land. They had been
made to feel their Importance. The
Hansons, of Denver, had never en-
joyed themselves so much in their
lives.
Barker was nearly crazy What
would he not have given to be back in
Twenty-third street and, il he must be
shot for running away with old man
Hanson s daughter, at least have the
satisfaction of dying like an honest
man.
On the morning of the ninth day he
found a letter on the breakfast table.
Old man Hanson was there with his
famous appetite, eating eggs which
had cost fifty cents apiece and ham
which had been purchased from the
blackmailer's at dollar slice.
The letter was from his father in Bos-
ton and read as follows:
MI DEAR CHARLEs-Your mother has just
learned from Mrs. Stewart, who arrived in Bos
ton from New YorE yesterday, Of your late
good fortune In Wau street always knew you
to laugh at those who have hitherto called
you the fool OF the family. Meantime you
may expect us by an early train tomorrow
s>s we are anxious to see our new daughter
Your affectionate father,
HORACE B. BARKER
r. ST. send this to your new house in Fifty
seventh street. which Mrs. Stewart tells as you
purchased OF the Van Lith estate She says it
is a splendid property hope you got bargain
1t was the last straw Unable to re-
press his fe elings, the miserable
Barker uttered a loud groan and
rushed from the room, nor did he stop
until he had reached his chamber.
Throwing himself into chair, he
buried his face in his hands and re-
NAMED for some time in a condition:
almost approaching stupefaetion.
He was aroused by light touch on
his shoulder and looked up to find the
door closed and old Joe standing over
him.
Don't you be a blamed fool, Marse
Charles. Don't you go an give it yup.
You's dom splendid. rs been talkin
10 de people downstairs an dey's all
agreed you's a daisy"
Barker raised his head and stared at
the man in blank surprise.
yves amt goin' to pinch you no
mo-, Marse Charles We done it as
uuch TO de fun dere was in it as fo' de
lash. Now you gets every thing at mar
l<et price. You's daisy. .
The love of human appreciation is tins
eainspring of great deal OF human
endeavor.
When Charlie Barker heard himself
called "a daisy" he took new heart.
In five minutes he was man again.
He went back to the breakfast table
and told another falsehood- about
having sudden indisposition. he
was now determined to see matters
through.
Suddenly there was ring at the bell
"A telegram. I" said Barker, aloud
perhaps to say that father and mother
can't come How provoking but in
wardly he rejoiced with an exceeding
10y. He tore open the envelope. and
the sight of that telegram nearly occa-
stoned him a relapse:
1--WE are coming home. Mrs Van Lith quite
sick. Expect us tonight.
"P. VAN L1rH =
THAT settles it, muttered Barker.
"If ever Van Lith gets into this house
I'm done for He's as straight as
string. And his wife, well. she wouldn't
tolerate such fraud as this for mo-
ment."
There was no time to consult Evelyn.
He must act at once.
He went out in the hall. The boy
was still there.
Have you telegraph blank with
you?" he asked.
.'Yessir."
Then he wrote:
Don't come. Smallpox in the house. Evelyn,
and the servants are IN quarantine Am
writing. CHARLES BARKER.
The boy looked at the telegram, read
it, and bounded to the sidewalk. He
didn't stop until he reached the corner.
Barker was now desperate. He was
In such a state of mind, and had so far
committed himself, that he was ready
for anything.
His parents arrived from Boston in
time for lunch. He received them roy
ally. He partook Of deep rotations
He laughed with his new father from
Denver; he slapped his old father from
Boston on the back They all got very
jolly. Dinner was right merry meal
The ladies had retired to the draw
ing-room. The two old gentlemen had
made terrific inroads on Van Lith's
wines. They each took a hand of
Barker's In theirs aud swore he was the
jolliest fellow in the world.
And you like me all the better be-
cause I'm well fixed" laughed Barker,
Historically.
sRich or poor said Mr., Hanson, Of
Denver, "it wouldn't make any differ
ence to mo. Only give me an honest
man and one who speaks the truth, for
despise liar
Then Mr.. Barker, feeling that the
time had come, arose somewhat un-
steadily on his legs and faced the gem
tlernan from Denver, who was mellow
nj au,flfuc with wilma
''You have a right to despise me,
then, Mr. Hanson, for am hypocrite I
and the biggest liar on the face of the
earth.
The old man started as if he had been
shot Something in the expression Of
his son-in-law's face told him that this
was no joke, but he was~speaking the /
truth.
you amt bin tellin' us wrong about /
your forshing. have YEP" he asked.
slowly. relaxing into the vernacular Of
his early mining days and with his face
gradually growing purple with anger.
Charlie Barker, for answer, put his
hand in his pocket and drawing ont q
solitary twenty-dollar bin he laid it on /
the table,
That's every sent own in the I
world, " he replied
'sBut this house; all this flne fnrng. /
turss" almost pleaded the old man.
'sIhns's raur'n. sinh lta's