The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-09-05

thing else about the place showed the
owners love of making spread
John never had much head for figures,
and SO when his accounts began to get a
little mixed, be engaged a young lady
bookkeeper from the city to take charge of
them. She was smart and pretty, and
John told quite number, confidentially,
that If she proved to be the woman he took
her to be, she might become mistress of the
farm some time.
"Well, things ran along for about five
years, when one fine morning John Dodge
awoke to the fact that his cash had all
been invested in fancy stock and scientific
farming apparatus and worse STILL that his
affairs in general were hopelessly involved.
"There was but one thing left for him
to do. He knew that by disposing OF the
farm he could probably save two or three
thousand dollars from the wreck; and his
self conceit, which was prominent trait
in his character, prompted him to think
that with this capital he could engage in
some business in the city, and soon become
rich enough to buy half the town in which
he had been born, and where thus far he had
been a failure.
Another thing, also, he decided to do.
The young bookkeeper had proved to be
all he had supposed her to be, woman
worthy to be the wife Of even John Dodge,
and he determined to elighten her in re-
gard to this fact, and ask her to assist and
share in his future brilliant career. He
had never spoken to her upon this subject
but he took it for granted that he would
receive favorable answer as he considered
himself prize of considerable magnitude
in the matrimonial market. He entered
the little Office where she presided and
after his pleasant greeting had been re-
turned, he said:
"Well, Miss Colburn, I'm thinking
very strongly of selling the farm.
" Indeed" replied tie booSkeeper.
Yes he continued, begin to think
| can make more money in the commercial
world. have made my plans and have
now come to you to assist me in carrying
them out. Will you do SOP
81 have always been faithful, l think,
to your interests, and shall continue to be,
was the bookkeeper's answer.
Thus encouraged, John Dodge asked
her to be his wife, but the little woman
very coolly told him she was sorry to dis
appoint him, but that she was already en-
gagged to young man who worked upon
his farm.
SAT this John was so taken aback that
he sat there, not knowing what to say,
when the little woman continued:
You spoke just now of selling the farm
at reasonable price, think can get you
a customer"
My friend paused here, and I quietly
said:
II think if were to guess who is at
present the mistress of Twin Farm,
should say the kookkeeper."
Fright you are" said my friend; 'and
there's another fact which perhaps you
wouldn't guess; I'm the farm hand who
bought the place"
extended my hand to my friend in
congratuation, and presently asked
"What became of John Dodge?'
"Well, after he sold the farm and had
settled up, he had about twenty five hun
dred dollars left; this he took to the city
and invested in what never could quite
make out, but he would come to the
neighborhood occasionally in swell suit
and beaver hat, and once he limited to me
that if a man wanted to make money he'd
better quit farming. | told him if |
wanted to make money. probably I'd quit
farming; but as my object in life happened
to be to get an honest living and to have
happy home, guessed wouldn't change
my occupation.
THAT was some years back, but about
a week ago he turned up here again, and
this time he didn't wear beaver hat, and
his clothes were about as seedy as any l
ever saw. He said he was out of money
and out of any employment that would
earn him victuals.
81 mentioned these facts to my wife, and
she said that out Of respect for past acquain-
lance she would advise me to start him in
business. I looked at her in surprise, for,
you see, although we are getting along
splendidly, the place cost large sum of
money, and we were planning to pay the
last few hundred dollars upon it soon; so l
wondered why she should advise me to do
such thing as to lend money to John
Dodge.
you don't understand me, said she;
and then she explained how | could start
him in business without any great expendi-
ture of funds; and as | saw, as | usually
do, the wisdom of her suggestions, l acted
upon them; in short, l bought him Just
the best woodsaw | could find in the
village and when you get to your uncle's,
if you will go around into the woodshed,
you'll find him there at the only business
he ever made success Of ;"