The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-04-19
"TOOTS.'

! back yard of her ranch house in the
San Fernando valley, stopped tC
listen.
"Gwine for to carry me ho-o-omer
continued Dinah, in deep, rumbling
tone, suggestive of an asthmatic bass
and accompanied by an energetic
rafting Of dishes
As the negress paused for breath
Mrs. Stocker heard heavy pounding
at the front door, and, smiling at
Dinah's duet-like efforts, hurried
round the house
On the porch she found testy and
eccentric old man, who gazed with
marked displeasure at her lovely face,
and, unappeased by her friendly
smile, roared out: "What in thunder
is going on in this house-a prayer
meeting or a cat fight? I've been
hammering on this door for ten min
utes, seems to men
Pm sorry if we've kept you wait
ing" she answered, gently.
The various hard knots into which
his face seemed to be tied slightly re-
laxed, but he vouchsafed only scep-
teal grunt in reply.
IHve come to see your husband,''
said he, abruptly; lis he to home?"
NO, he is not"
''When'll he be back?'
Not until tomorrow
4 s'pose you don't know how to
write a receipt" he queried with his
chin cooked scornfully in the air.
Il think [ COULD said she, smiling
| Nv ell, I've been owing your hus-
| band some money for three years, and
couldn't even pay the interest. cause
people didn't pay me; but I've had a
stroke of luck, and here's the money.
Gimme a receipt and We'll be quits"
he said, as he lifted heavy bag lying
beside him.
"Oh, dear mem she exclaimed: ::
could you not give me check for it E?
I'm afraid to have so much money in
the house"
He looked upon this feminine timi-
dity with the contempt of bitter old
bachelor, and promptly snapped: NO,
| can't. It's all the money I've got.
People seen me luggin' it from the
bank, and if you don't take it likely
some one else will. I'm skeered my
selfn' with sardonic grin.
She reflected that this crusty per
son might never make another effort
to pay, and that no one need know
she had the money; so she asked him
into the house, where she counted the
coins and gave him a receipt.
Whnn no unc rrpnn ohn h,l +ho cro1l
among some scrapbags IN dark cor
ner of her bedroom closet
As the day wore on she grew anx-
ious and nervous. There occurred to
her the fear that some passer-by who
had seen the old man bring the bag
from the bank had noticed his horse
standing at her gate and would sus-
pect that she had the money, 1t
seemed to her that the very birds had
too knowing an air as they tip-tilted
on a branch outside her bed room
window and cooked their heads on
one side to look IN.
If any one broke into her lonely
house, which was a half-mile from
her nearest neighbors, the Gordons.
she and her feeble old Dinah would
have no defense.
1t was with feeling of relief that
she saw John Gordon, her husbands
best friend, walking toward the house
He was a dark slender man, with
nervous manner and a rather jOyless
smile.
How are you, Mrs. Stocker? Feel
ing rather lonesome. eh?" he called
out I'VE saw your husband driving
by this morning with his regimentals
on, and knew that meant he'd be gone
some time. Wife isn't very well, and
wants to know if you won't go over
and stay with her while I'm away"
Thank you, l wish | could, but
Mr.. Stocker can't possibly be back
until tomorrow, and Randall has
paid ne large sum in gold .tha' I
dare not leave"
Has he, at last? l saw his horse
standing here, but had no idea you'd
ever see that money again" After
moments thought he added. But
why not leave it? Does any one
know you have it?'
No one but the man who paid it
to me that l know of-brt he looks
like brigand.'
Nonsense, my dear woman, You're
letting your fears run away with YOU.
Brigands don't usually pay debts. and
there's nothing to be afraid Of. Just
leave the money here, and go over to
our house to spend the night. Darkies
are a scary lot, and you haven't even
a sensible dog to keep you company"
She longed to yield: but she
thought of all this money would mean
to her overworked husband. and
hardening her heart against Mr.. Cor
don's repeated urgings, persisted in
staying at her post.
Saying that he was late for an en-
gagement, her neighbor bade her a
hasty farewell.
As the early darkness of the De
cember night began TO close in. Nature
herself seemed to Mrs. Stocker. in
her overwrought condition. to be con
/ spring with evil beings to heighten
her helpless terror.
At last Dinah ponderously waddled
IN and broke the gloom by cheer
fully announcing the evening meal.
While this was in progress a wagon
drove up and Mrs. Stocker heard the
welcome voice of Ranney. a sturdy.
Jolly Irish peddler with whom she
had had dealings for several years.
His was one of those rotund and iovi
al personalities jokes that look like
embodied jokes and the very sight of
whom makes every one feel cheerful
Now, Toots," he was saying. don't
ye be for ating me up the minute
| git down. It's so long since I've had
bite that I'd be mighty poor picking.
Be aisy, now, and the lady'll give We a