The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1897-09-16

the cashier handed her slip OF paper.
1t read:
Merchants Bank, Talbottom, Ca
Gentlemen Nothing to explain. We
forwarded check to Willie Smith, Tai
bottom, as requested. If the party
presenting it can be identified you may
cash same with perfect safety. Yours,
Waldron & Co.
$50 you see it is all right" said the
cashier. "Now will youplease indorse
the checkP"
Willie did so with sudden feeling of
exultation.
"Suppose you give me $4,000. That
will pay off the mortgage and make
some necessary repairs. The rest
deposit with you. And-and suppose
you let me have a check book; it will be
more convenient.
The next few hours were momentous
ones in the young girls life. The
mortgage was paid, and visits made to
the grocery and hardware and seed
stores, and to painters and carpenters
and stone masons; and before she went
home check was ON its way to the
principal OF her school at Staunton.
In the morning men came out and
made estimates, and they were followed
by painters and carpenters and labor
ers, who began to repair the old family
mansion, and to surround the neglected
fields with substantial fences, and to
build new cabins under the magnificent
live oaks that grew along one side of
the plantation.
Willie spent most of her time out
doors watching the work and making
occasional suggestions. The new cabins
were surrounded by generous truck
patches and when they were finished
she was careful to rent them only to in
dustrious, reliable negroes. In this
she was greatly assisted by the cashier,
who came out frequently to watch the
progress of the work and whose advice
was always valuable.
One day a brisk, prepossessing young
man stepped into the Talbottom post
office.
"Any letters here for Willie Smith?'
he asked.
"No; she called after them not an
hour ago."
"She?" curiously.
''Yes. Generally her man man Tobt
gets them, but she happened to be il
town this morning. You're one of th'
men working out there, I suppose?"
mo, not exactly"
He left the postOffice and walked
across tho street to the bank.
"Has Willie Smith presented a checl
her for $40, 900 recently" he asked.
Miss Willie Smith has, replied the
cashier.
II beg your pardon, 1 mean Mis-
Willie Smith, You see, ont west, W,
get in the habit Of dropping cere
mony."
The old cashier looked at him thought
fully.
$50 you're westerner, are you?" h,
asked.
"I was, but expect to be southerne,
now," said the young man frankly
"My mother left this country nearly
thirty years ago, but ! have often heart
her describe her old home. When
made my pile concluded to come dowl
here and look around; and if I liked tn,
place to stay permanently"
The cashiers face cleared instantly.
"Goodr' he exclaimed. "You can
help liking such grand country. AL
it lacks is money and energy. Blu
what part of the west are you from?"
"Leadville, Col"
"Ah, began to suspect it. You hav,
been connected with the house of Wal
dron & Co., and called in to see if tn,
check reached its destination all right.
He came from behind the counte
and took the young mans hand warm
ly.
II am right glad to see you, sub
Yo' house never sent out better chec
than that in all it's life. Miss Will
has paid off mortgage on her plants