The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-24

will be about it's worth"
"Why, that sold the first thing Mis-
Talcott. I'm sorry" said the hostess.
Il don't know who got it neither. for
Mis- Allen was tendin' the table
then"
Louisa's face fell, but she looked
little relieved too, as she put her purse
back into her pocket. In few min
utes Mr.. Talcott sauntered leisurely
up to the table.
"Sellin' much Mis- Atood?" he
asked, "why, all the garrets must be
empty for miles. guess I'd better
help some. I'll buy mothers bowl.
I see it's got the place of honor, in
the middle"
"Why, Mr.. Talcott, it's too bad,
that's been took. l was just tellln'
your wife about it" said the lady.
"Well, I guess it isn't much matter
In my opinion things like this amt
worth ten cents dozen, but we don't
all see alike" he said laughing, as he
turned away.
Fifteen minutes later John came.
He went straight over to the table.
Il want to buy the punch bowl, Mrs.
Atwood" he said. And then Lettie
waited to hear no more, but when
she was out on the moonlit veranda,
she laughed softly to herself, but
there were tears in her eyes, too;
which only goes to prove what a very
contradictory young person Lettie
was.
Later, when she and John were
riding home in the moonlight, behind
the black colt, John said, 81 am glad
you heard that conversation, dear.
1t shows that we really do not know
those with whom we are the most
familiar, or think that we are. Who
would have suspected George, of all
people, of having any sentiment9 I
see that l have rather forgotten late
ly to remind myself that the greatest
of all is charity l think I've been
hard on George-perhaps and"
he paused.
A horse and buggy was coming at a
swift trot down the hard road, behind
them, the horses feet ringing sharp
ly along the turnpike. John drew
the reins tightly, but the colt sprang
aside, as the other team passed, fling
ing Lettie upon her knees in the foot
OF the buggy. John had the horse
under control in minute, and she
was not hurt, only badly shaken up.
But as soon as she was righted
again, she said:
ooh John, what if l have hurt this
precious package. I hardly dare
look. | held on to it, but do hurry
and get home. l will stop long
enough to see your mother min
ute."
Five minutes after, they drove
into the yard, and Lettie carried the
bundle into the hall, and together
they united the wrappings.
John" she cried, almost in tears,
'the top is broken right across, ism t
it too bad But" and she paused,
John Talcott, there's money in this
punch bowl-bank notes-what does
it mean?" And waiting to see no
more, they hurried on into the sitting
room, where Mrs. Talcott knit and
dosed, waiting for John to come.
John had the happy faculty of
coming to the point with no waste of
words, when occasion required.
"mother," he said, "Letty bought
your punch bowl for present to you
she got it early before any one else
came. Coming home the colt cut up,
and threw her into the foot of the
buggy, and broke the top to the
bowl, and when we got into the light,
we found it was half full of bank
notes. Think OF it, mother! Uncle
Jonas did leave you something after
all" and he caught the bowl from
Lettie, and put it into his mothers
lap, while they knelt in front of her,
like two children, to count the treas
ure. There was $1,000 in bills, and
when it was counted, and they had
all three grasped the idea that it was
real, and not dream, Mrs. Talcott
said:
''I'll give check worth while, for
Home Missions now. I've always
just longed to know how it would
feel to give $25 at one time, now
can! And LOUSY can have her new
parlor furniture. You shall pay for
the farm tomorrow, John, and you
two children shall be married when
ever you pleased"
"That better be tomorrow too"
said John.-I'be Interior.
h. l. r