The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-06
IL.

Mrs. Peter Battersby did something else
before she left No. SO.
Together with her disappointed son and
darling Walter, she climbed the stairs to
Joans little attic and took hammer with
Der.
ITS the very kind of spiteful thing he'd
be likely to do she said, but I'll not
stand it-robbng his own flesh and blood
for workhouse brat
Mr.. Peter left her to her own devices.
he, Mr. Craven and the three vexed Qn-
deed, insulted) girls went away together
Then Mrs Peter studiously searched
Joan's attic from wall to wall She turned
out the girls one tin box, looked in the
drawer of the washstand, ripped up the
palliasse outrageously and threw the straw
all about and treated the bolster with
equal brutality
There was also a handsome old oak ward.
robe that would have graced even a royal
bedchamber This was for Joan's three or
four poor frocks.
1t was quite laughable to see how mother
and son tapped and probed this antique
piece of furniture They even knocked off
the head of a lion in relief at the top of it,
to see if there was a secret cavity behind
the head.
But the wardrobe taught them no more
than the palliasse and the bolster.
We'll. I'm off to the Hen and Chickens
said Walter Battersby at length I've had
enough of this"
So. too, had Mrs. Peter, for there was
not article in the room that she had not
thoroughly tested.
The sun was still well above the cemetery
hill when Seth called at No. SO, in his
workaday CRIME and his workaday grease.
Art ready, my lass?' he inquired of
Joan.
The girl began to make excuses
It's not right, Seth, to leave the house
with no one in it. He wouldn't have liked
it,, she said.
It's not right, Joan, to make promise
and not keep it," retorted Seth. Come
your eyes out. Do you mean to make me
carry your"
She was persuaded with difficulty.
Then it was revelation of character to
see how she locked one door after another
and pocketed the different keys.
.Anybody nd think the things were all
yourn joan" said Seth admiringly.
Its the same to me as if they We're"
she answered, with the tone of fresh tears
But Seth hurried her off before he coul
break down again, and soon had her in the
little red brick cottage he shared with his
mother.
Old Mrs. Perry had in her younger days
been a servant herself. She had a true
woman's sympathy for Joan. and discern
ment enough to know that her son might
do far worse than marry such girl.
It was comfortable meal as any in
MOXford. with the cat purrlng on the
hearth all the time
Afterward the talk turned so'idly upon
old Carmel and his singular requests to
joan
THE money and the furniture II be use
full enough to you, child said cd Mrs
Perry; but the idea of leaving you thing
like that!' pointing to the scrap-book.
Il used to be SO fond of it" stammered
Joan. THE times we've sat together; him
pasting and me cutting what he marked
She and lifted the big book on the
table, united its strings and opened it.
why what's this % exclaimed Seth, as
q bank not for G100 appeared.
joan turned pale she took it up. 1t
vas indor.ed on the back: Pay to Joan
Smith and no one else.
Ere they had finished looking through
the book they found twenty-one other
notes of exactly the -ame kind.
They are certainly yours, my girl. said
Mr.. Cameron, when Joan called on him In
the morning; and / shall have great
pleasure in telling Mrs. Battersby what has
become of the money to her brother-in-
laws credit at the bank.
-CasselIs Saturday Journal.