The Monitor-register., 1897-02-12
Highest of all in Leavening Power-La us Govt Report
R@!a!l! q! Rs%assF RskiRs
ABSOLUTELY PURE

the katydids had flushed their night
chorus, Ephraim, dressed in an old
flannel shirt and pair of overalls, began
the work of razing the chimney. When
the bell rang for dinner he had knocked
it to pieces within six feet of the ground,
and when he went at it again in the after
noon he found his mind flying back on
the wings of memory to the indistinct
past, when Uncle Josh was the tyrant of
the place.
II don't blame him." thought Eph-
rain; "for I've faults enough of my own
to tend to; and it amt for me to jedge,
because l might get jedged myself"
He put the crowbar into crevice, and
pile of bricks and mortar fell, filling
the air with dust. Ephraim stopped to
wipe his dripping forehead with a red
bandanna, and host of spectral associa.
tions gathered round him.
"Right there, by that oven door," he
said, "the old man used to sit by the
hour, thinkin', and smokin' his clay pipe.
Aud now he's gone, and I'm tearin' down
the last reminder of him. Hope he amt
sorry I'm doin' this. Anyhow, it can't
be helped; so here goes; and another pile
was added to the debris.
"Jimmy" muttered Ephraim, "there's
loose brick. Wonder what that meansp
Hullo! there's another. Guess the mason
that built this chimney rather sighted
his job! Cracky! there's another, and
another. Well, tell you what tits, that's
funny. Uncle Josh would have had fit
if he'd knowed that. Why. that makes
quite hole, do declare.'
Ephraim laid down his crowbar and
began to examine. Il must say" he
unused, ''that 'ere mason didn't have no
self-respect, or he wouldn't have saved
ten cents worth of mortar in that way
And there amt no film in behind. He
saved bricks, too, by hockey! Wonder
how deep that is. Guess I'll run my arm
in and see.'
In his arm went up to the elbow.
''Tell you what tits, he muttered, "it's
deeper'n thought" Then he thrust his
arm in again, and this time up to the
shoulder.
swell, can just reach the end of it"
he said. 'It's simply ridiculous that a
man should pay for good work and have
1t holler instead of solid. Why, there's
something in there, true's you live.
Wonder what it can be-" He peered In,
but could see nothing. Then he reached
in once more, and his fingers clasped
something that was neither brick nor
mortar, while his face wore an expression
OF intense curiosity.
"Tell you what 'tis," he said, "l'm a
sort of Christopher Columbus on
v'yage of discovery. Come out here,
whatever you be, and show yourself;"
and he dragged it to the light.
"Now, give it up" he cried. ''That
is just about the last thing to be tucked
away in hole like that. That's canvas
bag, or my eyes amt good at seein''
things. A canvas bag. What's it been
doin' in there? Who put it there And
it's tied with leather string. Must be
somethin' in it, it's SO heavy. All right;
l reckon I'll open it, and find out"
AS the mouth of the bag yawned when
the string had been united, it revealed a
quantity of gold and silver coins; such a
pile that the farmers eyes were like two
full moons.
Ephraim took handful, and then by
sudden impulse put them back again, as
though he was frightened. He stood
aghast at his discovery, while great drops
gathered on his brow and cheeks.
"That's money, or I'm dreamin'?"
He looked round to see if any mortal
or any ghost were present, and then
striking his right fist into the palm Of his
left hand: "Uncle Josh, certain as taxes!'
They thought him crazy when he
returned to the cottage. He trembled so
he could hardy speak; but he placed the
oag on the table and pulling himself
together, yelled:
'Tildy! We're saved! The mortgage
is goin' to be paid! Mary Jane! you and
Silas kin git married soon's you please.
Badger is done for. That was Uncle
Josh's money that he hid in the ohimley;
and darter," turning to Mary Jane, '.your
dream wasn't so far wrong, after ALL"