The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-06-08

to him from the exposure. He did
not get the terrible colds and rheu-
matjsm that Belinda had feared; on
the contrary, he seemed to grow
stronger and happier every day. And
she found she could accomplish twice
rs much work. 1t was true, as Abner
hid said. che was out of her wav:"
still, she did not feel quite easy abouc
him.
1t seemed dreadfal thing to have
her old father sleeping out there alone
in the darkness of the night SO she
anxiously hoped that he would not
think of going this year.
But II few days after the recorded
conversation, Belinda came home from
an errand to n neighbours house, to
find that the "May had taken
place. Abner, who had been wit
ness to the proceeding, only said,
carelessly:
"Let him be, he's all right; nothing
happened to him last year"
What finally reconciled Belinda
more than any thing else was remark
her father made in his rambling way,
which gave her new Insight into his
feeling.
"Belindy, darter," he SAID, "lon't
hcndcr me. Everything is free out
oc-doors, free and welcome"
She knew then that he realized how
Gr"dgingly he was housed and fed.
His Withdrawal from the house seemed
but natural instinct, the protest OF
his self-respect. After that she could
not oppose him farther. She allowed
him the most perfect freedom to come
and go as he liked.
"God III take care of him, as He
does of the birds aud the rest of His
creatures" she said to herself, trust
July.
One day Abner came in very much
clatcd.
"Delindy!" he exclaimed, "what
should you say tn an offer Of four
thousand dollars for the old place
What kind of an offer is that, hey?"
and he rubbed his hands in great sat
isfaction.
81 should say it was q bouncing
good offer, and you'd better ttke it,"
said his wife.
He went on excitedly to tell her the
particulars
"And now, Abner," she said pres
emily, in her coaxing way, 81 do hope
you'll try and feel little more pa
tient with gra ald'pa. Jast think o.
NIL that money coming to US through
him !"
"rh, best Of it is," continued
hbner, who just now could think of
nothing but the money, "the best of
it is, Bclindy, it's going to be paid
down! So all I've got to do is tc
clap it into the bank, AMI let it stay
till after the crops are in. Their
wc'll begin the new house right away
have it all done and ready to move
into by spring!'
"And when we get into the new
house, we're going to have Mary and
the baby come homo to live with us,
amt We? You know you've prom
ised," reminded his wife, bent on talk
ing all possible advantage OF her un-
usual opportunity.
Mary, their only dauy yhter, had
married q poor man, and was now a
widow, supporting herself and child
hy working in the factory in distant
town. To have her child and grand
child ut home with her had long been
the wish of the mothers heart but
her husband had always put her off,
"Wait till we got into the new
house," he had always said. "Then
there'll be more room" But she had
feared that he never really meant to
consent. Now, to hcr astonishment
and delight. he answered good
naturedly:
eyes, yes let 'em GOMEZ"
His good luck seemed to have
warmed his heart, and made him for
once fathcrly and benevolent.
The next day the man who had
bought the Pinney farm paid to Abner
the price i'll full-four thousand
dollars; more money than either
Abner or his wife had ever seen be-
fore.
In the midst OF their joyful excite
mcnt, they were both suddenly struck
with an anxious fear. Since Abner
could not take ths money to the bank
till the next day, where should they
pnt it for safe keeping through the
night?
After much delibcration they de.
cided to hide it in little cupboard
over the mantcl in the parlor, and
accordingly, while Belinda tiptoed to
the window and made sure no one was
nigh to see, Abner wrapped the money
carefully in large bandanna handker-
chief, and put it i'll dark corner OF
the cupboard.
Several times Abner left his work
and stole into the parlor to make sure
that the money was safe, and rs often
questioned nervously rs to whether
they had chosen tho best hiding
place but finally he concluded to let
il remain.
81 shouldn't suppose anybody would
be likely to look there for money;
they'd be more apt to think | had it
under my pillow, be said that night
''At any rate, we've got to run tho
risk Of losing on 1T wherever We pat
it."
Thus philosophizinG they went to
bed, and Notwithstanding their anxiety,
slept soundly, as hard working people
,rp wont tn do