Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-03-27

''l'yc done nothing" Amelia rctorted.
"Mrs. McNIurtry, you have lost the
money on the road or left it at the law
yers. I'm sure you took it,"
"Did you see me take it?" asked the
old lady. Can either of you swear to
that?"
II laid it at yourelbow," said Amelia
"Well, let's look again." said Mrs.
McMurtry. I'VE 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 plaid cloak
vanished Mt the door, the wearcr utter.
ing the words:
81 hope you'll find your money, young
ladies. l should hate to do what III
have to do if you DON'T" as parting
bcnediction.
I'm sure she carried ii off with her,
and believe she knows she did," said
Amelia.
"0h, don't say that, Nelly" said Aman.
ola. "She's SO rich, too. 1t wouldn't
be temptation"
81 don't know how far miser's heart
viii, 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 new
cloak in the memory of grown-up
folks!"
swell, l don't think she would steal
our money" said Amanda. Sand
though | 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 a
reward to the "honest finder of roll
of 50-dollar bills" probably lost be.
tween her home and Lawyer Smiths
Office, "by a 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.
Murtry had lost them; others still, on
whose property she held mortgages, OF
who had been ''sold out" by her, made
the same remarks about the plaid cloak
and the miser's heart that Amelia Per.
ry had made. Finally the courthouse
was packed one day to listen to the
case of Amelia Perry against Jean Nc
Murtry-the former declaring that she
had paid the latter the sum Of $500;
the latter declaring that though the
money was laid upon the table, close
to her elbow, she had never touched it.
II might have taken it up again and
forgotten" she said; "but never since
] was born did | carry money loose in
my hand. When | was child put
my penny in my pocket when went to
buy candy"
While Miss Amelia swore that she
laid the money at Mrs. McMurtry's ell
bow, she could not avow that she saw
her pick it up; and Amanda had not
seen her do it either.
Lawyer Smith and his clerk swore
that Mrs.Mc Murtry came into the Office
in great hurry, to get the necessary
papers and receipt, and said: ''There's
my money lying ready for me on the
Perrys' table. It's more than | ever
expected, and ] should have hated to dc
what I'd have had to do"
Every one sympathized with the
perrys, but neither of them could
swear that she touched the money
Laying it Oh the table near her was not
giving it to her; and shortly it was de.
cided that Mrs. McMurtry had the right
to foreclosc the mortgage. which was
overdue.
While Miss amanda, who was very
pale, pinned blue veil abo, the bon
net of Miss Amelia, who was drowne5
in tears, Nj. smith turned his atten
ton to his client, who had found hel
plaid cloak too much for her and had
removed it. The garment had faller
to the floor. It was an intricate thing
with sleeves, capcS and straps and
know not what. and somehow, in pick
ing it up, MIR. Smith reversed it ant
laid it over her shoulders upside-down
She, unaware of what had happened
shook it wildly hoping to settle it, ant
suddenly small hoy, who had some
how smugeied him self in, Ilricked:
"Get on 10 the money!"
Those nearest stared A $40 bill wa:
lying at Mrs. McMury's feet. In mo
ment more hollow squart of cour
officials had forme, about that lady
and her lawyer, who was OIL his knees
picking up u vast quantity of banl
notes, all new and crisp and green
. that fell mystcriously as a shower
of mamma upon the courtro I'm floor.
1.-TWO thousand five hundred dollars,
he counted at last.
While Mrs. McMurtry tore off hel
cloak lung il from he as though
its to, ere deadly, shrieking:
"Ihcl, rip in the silk facing, ant
it made 4 pocket nj itself, and me {
thief | did pick up the money with
out thinking, and | put it IN there.
wouldn't have dole it on purpose fol
a kingdom. but who'll believe me-
Nobody
, 81 believe you, Mrs. McMurty," erie;
Miss Amanda, who, perohed on ;
bench, looked down upon lhe scene
"and guess sister Amelia does, 100
"les," said Amelia family. "Yes
it's that rip ia the cloak facing that
. TO blame for ALL"