The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-03-17


house, ard could not think of allow
ing that old bureau to come. That
made her mad, and she said: More
shame for you. That old bureau is
worth dozen new-fangled ones Any
way, she wouldn't give in; neither
would /, and so the whole thing is off.
John is very angry, | am afraid, but
don't care"
"Oh, yes, you do. am sorry, my
dear Mrs. Archer. Ii is evident that
the craze for theantique has not struck
YOU, or YOU would be wild TO have that
old bureau"
"No, indeed. l never could abide
old traps. | like new, bright, expen-
sive furniture. | was going to get the
old lady beautiful new chifionier.
But it is all off now"
"Well, | must say think il is pity
! You know, my dear Mrs. Archer, that
Mr.. Brown is all the mother your hus-
! band ever knew, but we must all grow
old in time.n
That's true; but she never did any
thing extra for John. Besides, | am
! under no obligation 10 her. | would
rather have her room than her COM
pany at any time, and why should
I give in when she won't?'
Why, indeed, thought Mrs Dawson,
though she did not give expression to
her thought. Nevertheless, she did say
what she could TO the young woman
about forbearance, and felt when she
left as if her visit had not been in vain,
! and that if John took the right way his
/ wife would finally consent. 1t was evi-
dent, however, that John Archer did
not follow the lead that Mrs. Dawson
/ had given him, for his aunt did not
become an inmate OF Mr.. Archer's pref
! ty home, and about three weeks after
| ward Mr.. Dawson brought home word
that the old lady was dead.
"And the funny part of it all Is"
! said Mr.. Dawson, with "A chuckle of
amusement, "that she left that bone of
contention, the old bureau, to Mrs.
Archer, 'her beloved niece by will.
Her real estate goes to John; she made
provision for her pets and her old ser
wants, but the bureau, withouta scrap
else, goes to Mrs. John. The old wo-
man had strong sense of the humor-
Gus. Iwonder what my fine lady will
do with il, now?"
IL wonder, too" said his wife.
1t was therefore with some natural
curiosity that Mrs. Dawson called once
more upon her young friend, whom
she found in high state of indigna-
ton.
"Spiteful old thing, She was just
determined to make trouble between
me and my husband, dead or alive.
John insists that the bureau must come
here. The idea, But shall not allow
u rattletrap to come inside my house. i
am on guard-have been for days-and
when it comes / shall send it off again.
I guess am a match for John and an
old woman"
While the lady was speaking an eX-
press wagon drove up TO the pretty
front entrance, aud the driver dis
mounting dropped the tail-board of his
wagon and drew very solid-looking
old-fashioned bureau to the back.
Then, apparently remembering that
lac ought to make some inquiries as the
disposition of the article in his charge
before shouldering it, he opened the
gate and walked towards the house.
He did not get chance to ring, for
Mrs. Archer herself opened the door.
You can take that old thing away
again, my good man. | do not want
il here"
Isn't this Mr.. Archer's place."
"Yes, this is Mr.. Archer's place.
But, don't you understand, | don't
want that bureau. You are to take it
away"
"But have only lust brought it, and
where must take it to? | was told by
the old man to bring it here. Besides,
sure, wasn't paid for hauling it."
"Very well, will pay you for haul
ing il. How much is it?"
.'Seventy-five cints," said the young
Icishman with a grin. He evidently
In ought this rum go, but so long as
e got his pay it did NJ! matter much.
Aud the extra quarter would come IN
handy. Mrs. Archer paid him, and as
he turned to go he said: Must l take
1t back to the old place where | got it,
ma 'am?'
Certainly not: If you did, it would
only have to be brought back again.
D. what you like with it, my good
m.n. but don't bring it back here"
.'An right, ma'am. You're sure
nothing will be done to me?"
Perfectly sure. The bureau was
given to me, and | refuse to take il. i
give it to you. Do what you like with
it,"
"AII right, ma'am. / am glad this
lady hears the discourse. My name
is"
"No, no, I don't want your name
nor address. | want to know nothing
except that you get that bureau away
from my front gate before my husband
returns"
, "AII right, ma'am," the expressman
| said for the third time. He slipped
the three quarters into his pocket and
walked back to his wagon in the most
deliberate fashion, like one in deeI
thought. Mrs. Dawson saw that hei
hostess was very anxious to have hin
( depart; but he was naturally slow IL
/ his movements, aud it was evident thai
, the old bureau was a kind of white
elephant on his hands
: But at last he was off, and Mrs
q Archer brs sathed freer. Mrs. Dawson
: soon saw that she was in too excited
e mood to enjoy her visit, and with SOM
e regretful thoughts over her young
e friends future happiness, the eldel
4 lady took her departure.
I Meantime Tim O'Flaherty drov
|. about to several secondhand stores L
/ dispose of his present. The first deal
e er refused to take it at all, and the sec
/ ond offered him only fifty cents
r -