The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-04-24


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 at the door, the weaEer utter
ing thu words:
Il hope you'll find your money, young
ladies. should hate to do what I'll
have to do if you don't" as parting
henediction.
Pm sure she carried it of with her,
and 1 believe she knows she did" said
Amelia.
"Oh, don't say that, Nelly, "said Aman-
da. She's so rich, too. 1t wouldn't
be 3 temptation"
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 5O-dOllar bills" probably lost be-
tween her home and Lawyer Smiths
Office, "by lady in a plaid cloak"
Mrs. McMuTtTy 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, or
who had been sold out" by her, made
the same remarks about the plaid cloak
and the miser's heart that Amelia Per
Ty 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 81 800;
the latter declaring that though the
money was laid upon the table, close
to her elbow, she had never touched ii,
81 might have taken it up again and
forgotten" she said; but never since
] was born did I 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
sean hRT. do IL either
Lawyer Smith and his clerk sWore
that Mrs. Nc MurtTy 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 I ever
expected, and should have hated to do
what I'd have had to do"
Every one sympGthized with the
Perrys, but neither of them could
swear that she touched the money.
Laying it on the table near her was not
giving it to her; and shortly it was de-
cided that Mrs. McMurtTy had the right
to foTeclose the mortgage, which was
overdue.
While Miss Amanda, who was very
pale, pinned a blue veil about the bon
net Of Miss Amelia, who was drowned
in tears, Mr.. Smith turned his stten-
ton to his client, who had found her
plaid cloak too much for her and had
removed it. The garment had fallen
to the floor. It was an intricate thing,
with sleeves, capes and straps and
know not what, and somehow, in pick
ing it up, Mr.. Smith reversed it and
laid it over her shoulders upside-doRn.
She, unaware of what had happened,
shook it wildly, hoping to settle it, and
suddenly a small boy, who had some
how struggled himself In, shrieked:
"Get on TO the money!"
Those nearest stared. A $50 bill was
lying at Mrs. McMurty's feet. In a mo-
ment more a hollow square Of court
officials had formed about that lady
and her lawyer, who was on his knees
picking up a vast quantity Of bank
notes, all new and crisp and green.
that fell mysteriously as q shower
of mama upon the courtroom floor.
1.-TWO thousand Eve hundred dollars,
he counted at last.
While Mira. McMurtry tore on her
cloak and flung il from her as though
its touch were deadly, shrieking:
There's q rip in the silk facing, and
it made a pocket Of itself, and me a
thief I did pick up the money with
out thinking, and l put it in there. I
wouldn't have done it On purpose for
kingdom. But who'll believe met
Nobody"
II believe you, Mrs. NcMurty," cried
Miss Amanda, who, Perched on q
bench, looked down upon the scene;
'aad I guess sister Amelia does, too"
''Yes," said Amelia, family. ayes
it's that rip IA the cloak facing that's
to blame for all"
Meanwhile bursts Of laughter came
from the midst of the group as Mr,
Smith shook out OF the plaid cloak,
upon tbs door, & host Of hairpins
cards, letters, q ginger-snap. a photo
graph, ell sorts Of small, Tat tribes,
the accumulation, probably, Of several
years which Mrs. McMurtTy had PU.
into the rip in the facing instead Of her
pocket. And finally the courtroom was
cleared Of laughing crowd, who wait
ed to see The plaid cloak make its ap-
Pesrance,
It waited in vain. lawyer Smith
struggled his client home through q
/ hack dnoF. and the Misses Perry occu.