The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-04-05
were kept alone.

told upon the strength and energies o
Mamie, and her weakness, apparent il
the weary voice and slow step, mad,
her husband impatient to assume his ole
place in the household
"I'll have to be doing something pretty
soon. Mamie, he said one day, 'tC
take the burden off of your shoulders,
or, first 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 in debt and now that he was
up again work was hard to find
One day, as his wife was sitting de-
spondently in the little kitchen, he
sprung across the threshold with glad
cry.
Mamie, Mamie, I've got chance
TO pay off our debts and have little
sum left over to help US on, if you'll
consent to something"
Her face frightened, and she replied.
what is it l wouldn't consent to do to
be able to do that Harry? Tell me,
what is your plan?"
"You know there is a wealthy wom-
all from the city visiting the doctor
wife?'
YES"
"Well, size heard that we had an old
fashioned clock, and she wants to buy
it. She'll give us $35 for it. Think of
it, 1851"
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 mantel and not take up so much
room in the kitchen.
But I couldn't do it, Harry,
couldn' t do it. Itwas mother 5, and her
moth er's 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 dom I come in droves. {"
said Harry sullenly. You see, l can't
get work, and thought sure you would
be willing to do that much 10 help
along You ought to be reasonable, Nan
ME. "
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
came up and drowned her voice, and
she buried her head in her apron and
sobbed.
Harry put on his hat and left the
house. His heart had been so set upon
the advantages of the sale that the dis
appointment made him unreasonable.
After the relief of tears Nannie's
mind was clearer, and she began to
think. After all, the old clock could do
them no good, and if the sale of it would
set them right with the world again
was it right to let mere feeling stand in
the way? She decided that it was not.
She was very sensible girl, was Nan
ME, and practical withal. The clock
must go, she said to herself. She would
tell Harry when he came in again.
But she was only "a woman, and at
the thought of parting with the old
timepiece tho tears came rushing back,
and she leaned her head against its face
and wept. She lifted the baby from the
floor and said between her sobs:
kiss the old clock, Harry; kiss it
goodby. Mammals going to sell it, so
the baby can have new dress and
shoes -
The baby did not kiss tho clock, but
made frantic grab at one of the high
parts OH the top. The glue must have
been broken and loose, for with crack
it came off in his hand. Mamie would
have cried out in dismay, but great
jingling accompanied the mishap, and
her exclamation was turned to one of
joy as several bright coins rolled at her
feet She seized the post and examined
it. 1t was hollow and filled with old
coins. 1t had covered recess in the top
of the clock, in which there were many
similar goldpieoes. When reduced to
the value of present money they amount
ed to several hundred dollars.
When Harry came home, penitent
and anxious to apologize for his actions
of the morning, Mamie flew 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 itl' Stupefaction, comprehen-
sion and wild joy followed each other
in quick succession through Harry's
mind Then he folded his wife and
baby in his arms and wept, while the
old clock beamed on the scene from its
place in the corner, and all unmindful
of the indignity that had been placed
on its venerable head murmured on
tick, took, tick, took. Chicago News.