The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1894-06-22

CHTeIully III large DduubnuH uhnuher-
chief, and put it in a 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 as often
questioned nervously as to whether
they had chosen the best hiding
place; but finally he concluded to let
it femain.
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" he said that night.
cat any rate, we've got to run the
risk of losing on it wherever we put
it."
Thus philosophizing they went to
bed, and Notwithstanding their anxiety,
slept soundly, as hard working people
are won't to do.
Well along toward morning they
both awoke with terrible feeling of
sufocation. The room was full of
smoke! They sprang out of bed, to
see the flames already bursting through
the door opening into the parlor.
"The money the money!" screamed
Abner, frantically, and rushed into
flames, only to be driven quickly back.
He flew outdoors and round to the
parlor windows, hoping to gain en-,
trance there; but he was too late. The
whole house seemed to be in flames;
it burned like finder.
Before any of the neighbors were
aroused, before Abner and his wife
thought of anything but the money,
the whole house and all it contained
was gone-money, furniture, clothing
everything gone in night!
At first the thought of his loss drove
Abner almost wild. He raved like
mailman, and his wife looked into his
face in speeches. agony.
What could she say? How was she
to comfort man like him for the loss
of his property? She did not think
of herself for a moment; she only felt
for him.
= The sun had risen, the birds we're
twittering in the trees. and by and by
the COWS came up the lane one by one
of their own accord to the milking.
The old horse and the colt in the field,
put their heads over the fence and
whinnied, and finally the great rooster
strutted up quite close to Abner and
crowed encouragingly. Abner, looking
up into his wife's face, almost smiled.
81 forgot the creatures, he said,
slowly. They're left to us-and
there's the land. If we only had the
money to build the new house with I
wouldn't care"
"Never mind; we shall get along
somehow. l reckon the Lord'll pro-
vide" she answered cheerfully.
"BelindY, " said Abner, TREMENDOUSLY,
"the worst of it'll l deserve it all. And
see here" hesitating and speaking
with evident effort, "I-Pm afraid I've
got nobody but myself to blame for
the fire. Belindy-I suppose-it was
my own hand that set that fire. You
see l went into the parlor just at dusk
to make sure the money WAS safe be-
fore going to bed, and not contented
with feeling it, lit match to see. I
expect that match done the mischief
it must be And believe it's judg-
ment upon me, too.
YES" he sobbed, breaking down
entirely now, eyes, I've been a grasp
ing, wicked man, and now granpa' S
money"
At the mention of grandpa Belinda
sprang up with cry, and fastened to
the chamber in the tree, closely fol-
lowed by her husband. In their sell
fish grief they had quite forgotten
grandpa Was he safe?
They clambered quickly up the steps
and reached the landing. There on
the bed lay the old man, still sleeping.
He was very sound sleeper always
and evidently the fire had not wakeneG
him.
, Ashley looked upon him, the thought
of what would probably have been his
fate had he been. sleeping in the house,
made their blood run cold.
"We should have forgot him-ant
we couldn't have saved him, anyway !
they said.
! While they stood there he awoke
a Seeing his unusual visitors, he sal
/ up in bed and rubbed his eyes, little
I bewildered; then suddenly wonder
fully bright expression illumined hi
D dim old face, and he laughed aloud.
I 81 know, Belindy. 1 haint forgot =
he chuckled, and slipping his hanc
under the pillow, he drew out tn
n bundle done up in the bandanna tina
! they had hidden in the parlor cup
O board, and delivered it over to Be
4 linda.