Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-08-26
A BLESSED MORTGAGE


, "Nothing. Mr. Tom." replied Almira
moving toward the door quietly.
II say there u something wrong
out with 1t. Almira." continued Tom
wishing to help her II she was In trGu
BILE of any kind. Almira made no ra
ply and Tom sprang up and obstruct
ed her way.
"Say, you're working too hard, AMI
Blister Eleanor pays you beastiy small
wages. I'll be bound. Maybe It's {,
new gown or a bonnet you're gr.ev.
ing after-eh, Almira7 Here. take thi.
and get It." And before Elmira could
speak the impulsive Tom had plunged
his hands into his pockets. brought Oui
q lot Of coin and pushed 1t into nes
hands.
| How dare you?" she demanded. &C
choked up she could scarcely artie
ulate. Have l ever given you auy
reason. Mr.. Tom. to treat me viii
such disrespect?"
"Disrespect?" repeated Tom. very
red and astonished. DO you think ]
meant any disrespect to you, Almirai
swear l respect yOR more than any
, other woman l know; only. though,
you were pining for some of the pret.
ty things most girls like, and why
shouldn't l do some good with my
useless money!"
Almira saw that he was honest in
his speech and was appeased, but
when he asked anxiously. 'If It isn't
l.. t,, l.
Is III" she burst into tears. and for
getting that she was Mrs. Munroe's
servant-girl and that Mr.. Tom was
her brother and a rich man. forgetting
all save the trouble that was wearing
on her and making her pale and thin,
she poured out her woes into his sym
pathizing ear.
She told him about the mortgage on
their farm, how 1t had been renewed
from year to year when the Interest
was paid. They had grown so accus-
toned 10 that they had never thought
of losing the place until Mr.. POllers, on
taking the interest so hardly earned
and increased by Almira's savings, had
been Informed that his creditors need
ed the money and must have 1t on the
farm.
The blow had fallen like a clap of
thander from a clear sky. The thought
of leaving the old homestead was IN
supportable, and yet where could Pc
ter Pollers expect to raise the money
to cancel the mortgage?
Almira told her story. punctuated by
sobs, and Tom listened attentively.
When she had finished, he asked, rs
1t a large sum, Almiraw
'Oh, yes. Mr.. Tom, $2,OOO! she said,
sadly.
'Hum!' said Tom, pulling his mus
tache and looking very hard out of
the window. Couldn't your father get
some one to pay the man and take up
the mortgage?
"Suppose-suppOse-I take 1t up. Al
mira" ventured Tom, still looking out
OF the window and getting very red
again. Astonishment and rapture ap-
peared on the girls face at his words
DO you mean 1t, Mr.. Tom? Oh, you
are too goodv' she cried.
'..BOsh" said Tom, brusQuely. Irs
simply a good Investment Don't ac-
cuse me Of being good, Almira; I'm in
corrigibly bad, l am. But" (hearing
footsteps approaching), run on. I'll
drive out and see your father to-day
and get the mortgage" And without
thanks, he hurried OH.
Not long after this Almira noticed
that Tom was drinking steadily. He
took what meals he ate at home alone,
Mrs. Munroe declaring she would not
and could not lend him her countena nee
The girl. as she waited on him, felt
great deal of pity for this man. who
seemed so alone and was wasting
health and fortune in dissipa ton, and
Ing unusually used up and his hands
were trembling 80 that he could hardly
hold his cup she again forgot the diff
ference in their stations and spoke out.
Mr.. Tom" she said. "I'm sorry for
you"
what! Sorry for met What do you
mean, Almira? I'm having Jolly good
time. A short life and a merry one
that's my motto.
Almira shook her head and looked at
him steadily. do you never think how
much good you might do instead of
throwing yourself into little better than
a beastT'
"Humph! That's pretty strong Ian
guage. must say" he growled.
But It's true, Mr.. Tom, II you keep
On you'll sink lower and lower-oh. it's
to think Of It," Almira shud-
dered as she picked up her tray and left
the table.
Hold there" said Tom, you don't
1t, Almira. It's got such a
hold on me. How can I shake it or?
I've got no one else TO help me If try"
and, weakened and unnerved as he
was, the tears started to his eyes Tell
me what to do"
You can get down and pray to God
to help yOu." said Almira. solemnly,
and you can go to the cure. They say
:t's wonderful what they can do. Be
l man. Mr.. Tom, and try It," she urged.
Tom sat irresolute for q moment, |
then rose and grasped her hand. Il
Will try" he said, "and If 1 come out |
Il will be hard, Almira. know, for
tried once, only I couldn't stick 1t out. |
But III try again, II only to show
He stopped abruptly and runs |
her hand and rushed out Of the room.
II Mrs. Munroe had known that heR |
brother set such value on Amira Pol
ers' good opinion she would have been
lorriHed. She reported that brother |
Tom had gone to a sanitarium because |
'he had lectured him into II, and was
quite satisfied as the weeks Heightened
nto months and To0 stiu remained |