The record-union., 1897-11-21


! young 'ussy, and puts down the lug
and the money for art a minnit while
she ties her boot-lace, and when she
| comes to turn round the tuppence
wasn't to be seen, no more was Liza
beth Ham, and do ear Mrs. Flinders
ave threatened 'er with the perlice
Barler's buildings was low enough be-
fore; but when Barker's Buildings
takes to robbing each other-not but
what tuppence isn't much to turn thief
for-lny gracious."
You wouldn't have wondered Mt her
exclamation if you had seen the way in
which Mrs. Wicks set down her teacun
with such violence as would most like
iy have cracked it then and there if II
hadn't been cracked already. unset he,.
chair, and scurried out of the room
like as her daughter put it. shed
been hit by something
Indeed, had she been favored with
the sight of her parent running-act
ually running at top speed down the
passage. falling over Mrs Flinders cat
picking herself up again, and eontin-
ufng her headlong career up couple
of flights of stairs and down the next
passage. it is more than probable that
she would have considered the exclama-
ton just recorded wholly inadequate
method of chronicling her amazement.
Notwithstanding, this was the precise
remark uttered by Mrs Midgetts when
burst in upon by Mrs. Wicks in high
state of furry and remorse.
My gracious, Mrs. Wicl1s, Why,
whatever's the matter?"
Il amt fit to live-that's what's the
matter. 1 bin an done thing as Ia
never ave believed I'd put my and TO.
You know what Scripter says bout rob
bing the widder an the orphan? Ne,
what's a widder myself an a orphan
this many a year, What dye tSink
I've got 'ere?"
Dirty bit Of paper, 1 should say by
the looks"
Paper it may be, and dirty it may
be: but for all that it's a twenty-pun
note"
My stars!" giving way to very nat
ural astonishment. 'Why, you are in
lucki How dye come by it?'
'Tain't mine"
Then who's it belong tor
You
Mel" in a sforzando of amazement.
It's the money yer Aunt Martha left
SOu. tOuuu III III DAllti-ifl the QSH
o. iions-and stead o. coming an Civ
ing it to you then an there. l KEEP it all
night an were trying to make up my
mind to keep it altogether Thought
it'd jest come in andy to buy that little
business 1 We're telling you bout, am
you'd never a-bin the wiser But there,
L bin in a den o. lions myself ever since
an pretty we'll tore to bits by being
To.3
minnit's peace since first I laid eyes
on it. Ere seeing the other still hes
itated, incredulous of her good fortune,
take it, it's yourn sure 'nough, and"
bursting into tears, "call mccall me
all the names you've mind to. for
there amt none so bad as l amt de-
served 'em.''
This was too much for Mrs. Midgetts,
who Immediately began to give way
herself.
"Why-why-you dear, good, 'oneSt
soul-yes, 1 do mean it, for 1 don't be-
lieve there's a 'onester going. The
hidea o you making sich to-do, Talk
ing bout robbing folks, an sich non
sense. As if I didn't know better.
should like to know who wouldn't be
took a-back at coming upon sich 'eap
o. money all unexpected. And as for
your keeping it all night, it's jest as
we'll you did, for 1 know 1 shouldn't
ave 'ad a wink % sleep if you'd took
an brought it to me straight off Now
then, don't you take ON, an I'll tell you
what We'll do. I'll buy that business
with the lease an fixters you was speak
ing of. and you'n me We'll go down
there an manage it between us. Lor',
| shouldn't wonder but what we'u be
putting money by in no time. Any'ow,
l shan't be sorry to turn my back on
Barker's Buildings neither"
And as Mrs. Wicks subsequently
observed. Il should jest like to ear any
one run down the Bible after that!'-
Ada l.. Harris in Cornhill Magazine.