The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-02-26

OOnC iONh ttn ctdnu kCttiH UP tH
world Pride'll hev fa', an thy whip
persnapper's come cropper at ony
rate.
In tongue warfare Rachel was no.
where Besides Aunt Bet wasn't worth
answering. Then, that very day. the
overlooker had threatened to reduce her
to two looms and had humbled her so
terribly before the other weavers that
all the spirit seemed clean gone out Of
her. She went to bed, but not to sleep
The 'knocker up" had an easy task
next morning. That day was the black.
est Of many black ones during the past
few weeks, and now no lovers comfort
awaited her. Everything went wrong.
The stuff wouldn't weave. Her looms
seemed bewitched. The ovsrlooker over.
loo'.ed with vengeance.
"Yo'll start on two looms tomorn, I"
he said. "Think on that Awe lots a.
wenches o. IA at weave better nor thee
an do moor wark on two looms tan tina
con o. three"
1t was the last straw. She dare not
face Aunt Bet and her sneers.
"Oh, Jim. Jim, was the cry of her
heart, why couldn't you say word to
me?" For when her heart spoke it cried
FOR Jim, and not for looms. Coming out
of the hot mill it was bitter cold. She
drew her shawl over her head and hur-
ried away-not to the place she called
"home." She scarcely knew where she
went. A hopeless despair weighed on
her sensitive spirit. Tears, unchecked
and UNDECIDED, dropped as she walked
Anywhere, anywhere, out Of the
worldr' would have been her exclama-
ton could she have expressed her deep.
est wish. Suddenly she found herself on
the top of the reservoir embankment
The moon was shining upon the water,
which sparkled and shone with crys-
talline brilliance.
'There's no1t left to live for, an I
won't livel' and, casting her shawl
from her, she threw herself from the
embankment. There was sharp, ring
ing sound. The moon shone on, and all
was still
u
"Now, Aw wonder what's come out
about this money!" thought Jim Sum.
ner as he struck the reservoir bank ON
his way from the station home. Folks
are fain to stay in toneet, Aw reckon.
AVN glad nob'yll see me till Awe
cleared myself clearin it is-and
what can tn masters ha' taken tn trou.
BILE to get my address fro mother-for
MODIFY else knew tan telegraph for
me to come instantly, if it's not? My,
but tn frost has bin keen this two days
ANVIL bet tn lodge'll bear" So saying.
he ran down and tried it with his foot,
and, finding it safe, walked a distance
on the margin.
whats that? Good heavensr" He
had stumbled over the PROSTATE form OF
a woman lying few feet from the EN-.
bankment The ice was starred in every
direction where her head had struck it.
Poor wench!" He turned her over, and
the moons light fell upon face he had
often kissed He reeled as though he had
received the blow that made the blood
flow from that marble brow. How cold
she was But she breathed. He picked
her up and carried her, he knew not
how. up the bank and away till he stag
gered into his mothers cottage.
Could she be Ill better hands? Still
unconscious, but with signs Of returning
animation, he left her and fastened to
the mill The lights still burned in the
Office. The masters were seated by the
fire. and in the background sat the mes
senger and Jabez Smethurst.
How dye do, James-you got our
wire?'
II did, sir, thank you. -
Boy. tell US again what you told
this morning" Whereupon the penitent
lad, with fearful looks at Jabez, told
how the overlooker had terrorized him
about small betting debts; how, at his
instigation. he had obtained o blank
check from the office lad at Bromley S;
how Jabez had filled it in. copying the
writing from another of Bromley s
checks; how he had presented it with
the rest at the bank and got the cash
The sequel was known and did not need
recounting Jabez sw0re it was parcel
of lies. but the boys evident sincerity
revelations of Jabez's hoonnaking trans.
actions and later Rachel's account of her
rejection of his suit. and his subsequent
threats and persecution convinced the
masters Of Smethurst g guilt They sim
ply discharged him and eased their con.
seriousness OF Jims overhasty dismissal
by raising his salary to $50 year
The folks who cheered happy pair
and pelted them with rice did not see a
scar OH the brow of Ike bride. for it was
covered by her brida. veil Tit Bits
he morally responsll e, If not actually
criminal and, according to the immo-
mortal custom Of the firm, chad to go. !"
Poor Jiml He did not wait to meet
his chapel folks and intirnates. He just
kissed his widowed mother, who would
not have believed "owt again Jim" on
the testimony Of an archangel, and went
out into the frosty air, straight TO the