Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-01-10

and my mother had taught me all the
little economies of housekeeping, so
we managed to get along nicely, and
every month something was added to
our nest-egg in the savings bank.
Job Shultz, who for years had been
fireman down at the china pottery
works, occupied half of the flat we had
taken, and though both he and his
wife belonged to the uneducatcd, hard
working class OF German migrants
they were sober and honest, and
proved to be very good neighbOrs in
deed. By some strange freak of nature
their twin children, Franz and Gretch-
EN-, were born mutcS.
When we formed their acquaintance
they were about eight years old, and
seemed to enter into all the sports of
childhood with as much zest as their
more noisy companions. Still, it was
pathetic to watch the little things 60
ing round so silently, and it was out
of sheer pity for their forlorn condi-
ton that John and undertook to
master the deaf aud dumb alphabet.
John learned rapidly but it was q
long time before could make my fin
gers speak SO as to carry on q CONVEX
sation intelligentIy. My final triumph
gave as much pleasure to the little
'Dutchies" as to myself, and, as shall
show you, was afterwards amply re-
paid for all the pains | took to give
them enjoyment.
Wehad been married five years. and,
10 spite of the gloomy prophecies of
some of our would-be advisors, John
was junior member of the firm that
had once employed him, and the suite
of rooms in the flat had been exchang-
ed for a pleasant residence in a very
respectable part of the city.
John looked after the business inter
eStS OF the concern, and as he was
obliged to take many unexpected trips,
/ was often left for several days at a
time with no other company than the
servants. protested a little at first,
but | was reasonable, and soon be-
came accustomed to the loneliness.
One cold, stormy night i'll February,
Just after the shutters had been clos
ed and the curtains drawn, John
came i'll hurriedly, and, without speak
ing, went quickly upstairs. Twas sur
prised, for he did not usually leave
the store until eight O'Clock, and it
was then but $50.
When he came into the parlOr a few
minutes later | inquired anxiously if
he was ill. Before answering me he
closed the door leading into the living
room, andJthen, drawing a chair close
up to mine, he said in low voice
81 did not mean to say anything to
you about it, Marion, but you are
such a brave little woman | am sure [
can trust you.
Gan attempt to blow the safe was
made last mig int, and the adrolt way
in which the would-be burglar manag-
ed to cover up his work leads us to
anticipate a repetition of the visit to-
night; in order to thwart the gentle
mems designs | have brought the
money and vaIuables home, and have
put the box containing the treasure in
the lower drawer of the secretary that
stands in our ROOM"
''How much money is there in it?'
/ asked, trying to speak in my natural
voice.
NEARLY fifteen thousand, answered
John, in q whisper.
"Why didn't you put it in the bank
for sake keeping" l asked, uneasily.
''That was the arrangement; but
Brown, the assistant cashier, whose
business it was to attend to it, forgot
his errand until the bank was closed, u
replied John. Don't worry anything
about it, dear. You are the only one
outside of the firm who knows what
disposition has been made OF the mon
ey, and tomorrow it will be placed in
the bank"
/ was satisfied with theexplanation
and thought no more about the box
upstairs until after the clock haG
warned for nine and it is not probable
that | would have thought of it ther
had not John been ordered off on one
of his midnight journeys. Just before
he started he put the key in my hand
saying
"When Mr.. Mowry calls for the
money give him this. / will not be
home in time to look after it before
tie bank closes tomorrow"