The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-09-17

through my mind. even Thought e
he blots had made in copying s
contract for corn at the office and
iound myself saying: Let them go 10
he deuce. I won't scratch them out"
it's something like dying. 1 shoul4
.ancy, coming into a fortune. such odd
notions go through your brain. In my
,ase there was a certain kind Of feay
connected with tins discovery, the fsAt
that somehow one might not be able
70 realize all the treasure.
Anyhow we shovelled the dirt owes
the remainder of the money. We could
not lift out the chest without betray.
ing our possessions to the caretakerav
found it quite hard work to stoops
my pockets were SO heavy. We had
hardly got the place fairly covered W
when the caretakers returned. TheV
noticed the work I had beeen doinG3
I said my doctor advised physical ek@
ercise, and l thought a bit of diggdn0
would do me good.
Then my wife asked the women II
SIZE could give her a nights lodging.
The woman looked at her, inquir-
ing1y.
"You see." said Ruth. 1--WE have talk
such fancy to the house that my huss
-
would like to sleep in It one night first
to see II I should really like living III
the country
my wife is a very practical we
man." 1 added, land l daresay she's
right. I will pay you for her accommcA
dation, and here's a crown; and yov
shan't lose by your courtesy to us."
Your wife's a lady, that's easy
seen," said the woman, taking my sii>
yer piece; but I've only one bed. Ny
husband goes out O. nights, as yea
know, 1 daresay I could make shift
somehow, though we amt beddinQ
enough to make up another, even oil
the floor"
oh, We'll manage" said Ruth.
And If you don't mind my husbanA
will go home and fetch a shawl %
some thing; that will help U.S.
And 50 1t was agreed; and Ruth
tahlns me aside, said: You can az
ford hackney coach; you'll ges ont
at the Spaniards or the castle. Tak1
my basket put it in the cupboard where
I keep the groceries. Here's the keys
Wrap UP the money in my old shawl
and hide it between the bed and matt
tress. Come back to me If you think
we'll; but first thing in the morning
go and complete your contract for the
house. Pay a deposit, and obtain per-
mission for us to take possession"
Ruth was a wonderfully business
like little woman.
"At any rate" she said, I'VE must
never leave the place again" nor did
We.
Yes. as you say, it is a beautiful
place now. 1t was Ruth who chris,
tened 1t Moorland Cottage. No; we h&N
obi D,,th 81
eighty-six. She lived all her lif> y neves
knew day that was not happy She
spent a day every week at the orphan~
age in the city, and gave literally u
its funds. l don't know how many
pensioners she had. mostly widows.
but Vyse and West know. It was her
taste that you notice in the garden.
Yes, I agree with you. l don't know q
prettier spot The house was always
what you call picturesque. No, don't
know that I grieved for Ruth. Missed
her, yes, miss her every day. But she
went so peacefully. was so content
SO assured, that we should meet again,
30 satisfied that It was best that she
should go first, she being such a good
housekeeper, and desiring to prepare
the way for me, as you may say. that
am resigned. Oh, yes; I DO believe in
the future. in another world. have
reason, surely. Did I tell Ruth about
her ia ather? Oh. yes; told her every
thing. and ever since we had a prayer
offered up for his soul, and though
Ruth was a better churchwoman than
l ever was, still I hope we are judged
by our works, and the money that was
sent to US We have held in trust, aS
Vyse and West could tell you, and we
have lived on the increase Of 1t. giving
the rest to those who needed it; and
when I join Ruth, the Orphanage, the
Home for Widows. the Society for the
Protection of Animals, and a certain
trust for the visitation of the sick will
get the remainder OF the estate. And
so l wish you goodbye, sir!Joseph
Hatton.