Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-05-17


pretty soon, Mamie, he said one day,
ito take the burden off your shoulders,
or, fret thing we know, you'll be down
Mamie smiled, but she knew that her
work was not over yet, for in spite Of
her best efforts during Harry's illness
they were 10 debt, anl now that he WINS
up again work was hard to find.
One day, as his wife was sitting de-
spondently in tho little kitchen, he
sprung across tho threshold with glad
cry
Mamie, Mamie, I've got chance
to pay off our debts aud have little
sum left over to help us on, il you'll
consent to something"
Her face frightened, and she replied
"What is it | wouldn't consent to do To
be able to do that, Harry Tell me,
what is your plan ?"
"iou know there is u wealthy woman
from the city visiting the doctors wife :"
Eyes"
well, she heard that we bad an old
fashioned clock, and she wants to buy
it. She'll give us 1886 for it. Think Of
it. $35,
"Sell the old clock, Harry !" exclaim-
ed his wife,
yes" he replied "Why not? We
can get new one some day that'll sit
on the mantle and not take up so much
room in the kitchen"
But [ couldn't do it, Harry,
couldn't do it 1t was mothers, and
her mothers before her, and it would
be like parting with one Of the family.
Don't ask me to consent to that, Harry.
Surely there will be some other way
opened for us"
GOOD chances don't come in drovas,"
said Harry suddenly. "You see. can't
get work, and thought sure you would
be willing to do that much to help along.
You ought to be reasonable, Mamie !"
She looked at him with panied eyes.
After the long struggle Of the past win
ter it wounded her to hear him speak
so. She started to speak, but the tears
come up and down her voice. and she
buried her head in the apron and sobbed.
Harry put on his hat and left the
house. His heart had been so set upon
this that disappointment made him I'M
reasonable.
After the relief of tears Nannio's
mind was clearer, and she began to
think. After all, the old clock could
do them no good, aud il the sale of it
would set them right with the world
again was it right to let mere feelings
stand in the way? She decided that il
was not She was very sensible girl,
was Mamie, and practical withal. Tho
clock must go, she said to herself She
would toll Harry when he came in again.
But she was only woman, and ut the
thought Of parting with the old time
piece the tears came rushing back, and
she leaned her head against its face and
wept She lifted the baby from the floor
aud said between her sobs:
kiss the old clock. Harry kiss it
.goodby Mamma's going to sell it, so
the baby can have new dress aud
shoes
The bnby did not kiss the clock, but
made frantic grab at one Of the high
parts of the top. The glue must have
been broken and loose. for with crack
il came off in his hand. Mamie would
have cried out in dismay, but great
jingling accompanied the mishap, and
her exclamation was turned 10 one Of
joy as several bright coins rolled at her
feet. She seized the post aud examined
it 1t was hollow aud filled with old
coins It had covered recess in the
top of the clock. in which there were
many similar gold pieces. When re-
duoed to the value of present money
they amounted to several hundred dol
lars
When Harry came home, penitent and
ANXIOUS to apologize for his actions Of
the morning, Mamie few to him with
open arms. "Oh, Harry, boy Harry,
boy we won't have to sell the old
clock, anyway Look what baby found
in i'll" Stupefaction, comprehension and
wild joy followed each other in quick
succession through Harry's mind. Then
he folded his wife aud baby in bis arms
and wept, while the old clock beamed
on the scene from its place in the corner,
aud all unmindful Of the indignity that
had been placed on its venerable head
murmured on--tick took, tick, took -
LHicn1O Mems