The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-03-14

| glad to see the McMurtry plaid at thu
door," said Amelia. "I'H go ana get the
money!" ~,
She, ran upstairs, and came down e
find Mrs. McMurtry sitting on a chair
in the kitchen.
Eyes," the latter was saying, Il heard
you'd come home, and thought I'd call
and have little talk about our troubles
| shall hate to do what Eve got to do !
| ''Yes, Tn really sorry for you," said
Amelia, beginning to wipe dish.
| Mrs. McMurtry looked surprised.
| "I-suppose you feel it is serious, and
have done your BEST" she said.
II don't seem to mind much" said
Amelia, laughing Il don't look wor-
ried, do II"
"Now, Nelly, don't tease" said
Amanda. And Amelia threw her great
towel over her arm and dipped her
hand into her pocket and drew out
a great roll of banknotes.
"Yoli see we've no reason to fret; and
we can pay you to-day. We've had leg
acy, and it just covers what we owe
YOU" She laughed.
"Well, I'm as glad as you are" said
Mrs. McAIurtry, as Amelia counted out
the money and laid it on the table at her
elbow sand I'll run to Lawyer Smiths
and get the papers and receipts. Take
care, Miss Amelia, take care, you've
dropped four notes on the fioor-you're
real nervous. Aren't you? So am J..
You see, we are all SO pleased. Ishonld
have hated to do what I'd have to do !"
With this she turned to the door, call
ing back that she would be back at
once with the receipt.
| The two young women went on wash
ing the dishes and packing them in
baskets, laughing as they worked, un-
til they saw the plaid cloak coming
again.
Just caught my lawyer" she said,
sinking breathlessly into a chair.
Here's your receipt, Miss Amelia, and
now I'll take my money, and thank you,
too.'', M %eaa a,s u 8&Sssk Nj
your money!" said Amanda "Why.
surely you took it, Mrs. McMurtry.r
81 laid it on the table at your elbow"
said Amelia.
"A why, ] wouldn't have carried 1t off
before gave you the papers" Mrs. Nc
Murtry cried. She plunged her hand
into her dress pocket, she felt in the
bosom of her dress, she took off her
cloak and shook it. Meanwhile Amelie.
searched herself and Amanda looked ali
over the room.
"What can you have done with it?"
Mrs. McMurtry asked at last.
1--WE done nothing" Amelia retorted.
"Mrs. McMurtry. you have lost the
money on the road or left it at the law
yer's.' I'm sure you took it,"
did you see me take it?" asked the
old lady. "Can either of you swear to
ithat?"
81 laid it at your elbow" said Amelia
"Well, let's look again." said Mrs.
McMurtry. "We were all real nervous
And now they searched the house,
went over all the china, lifted teapot
lids, emptied baskets, turned cream
jugs upside down--Amelia, in her grief
and wrath, continually declaring that
she had paid the money and that Mrs.
McMurtry was to blame for its loss.
At last night fell, and the paid cloak
vanished at the door, the wearer utter
ing the words:
II hope you'll find your money, young
ladies. I should hate to do what I'll
have to do if you DON'T" as parting
benediction.
"I'm sure she carried it off with her,
and believe she knows she did," said
Amelia. 'N
"Oh. don't say that, Nelly, said Aman-
da. Shes so rich, too. 1t wouldn't
be temptation"
II don't know how far miser's heart
will carry one" said Amelia. Think
how long she has worn that plaid cloak.
A woman with nobody else to spend
money on, never to give herself a new
cloak in the memory of grown-up
folks!"
f"Well, 1 don't think she would steal
our money" said Amanda. "And
though I was scared at first, mean to
trust Providence. I'm sure it will all
come right yet" ~
Then they packed the china for the
fair, hoping to find the bills in every
mug and pitcher and teapot, but hop
ing in vain,
The news of the loss spread rapidly.
Miss Amelia posted notices offering
reward to the "honest finder of roll
of SCHOLAR bills" probably lost be-
tween her home and Lawyer Smiths
Office, "by lady in plaid cloak"
Mrs. McMurtry resented this. Pub
lie opinion was divided. Some said
the bills must, in all the washing of
china, have gotten into the dishwater
or the fire; others, that Mrs. Nc
MnrtrY had lost them; others still. ON