The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-12-06

lie handed them the cascaue OF udiu-
ty null rufling, iuted and edged WITH
delicate valenciennes, and began swift
ly shutting up and preparing to remove
his machine.
II don't suppose-you ever-buy old
ones
"Buy old ones? Indeed, we dol That
is really my business-to pick up good
old machines whenever we can induce
owners to part with them"
"We have no idea of selling ours"
cried Dora, stoutly. ut was a wedding
gift to mamma, and we are attached to
IT,"
Lady, 1 honor your sentiments. tits
only a kind heart that cherishes the old
, wal horse"
"Let him price our old war horse for
us" giggled Bess; though l have no
more idea Of selling than you"
When the r~amshackle old charger
came rafting through the hall the
agent went into ecstacies.
"What superb metal! What action
IL must have had-40 years ago! You
don't find many like it nowadays"
1T was bought before the war and
cost a hundred dollars" said the En-
gagged One, with great pride.
"Indeed, I believe you. And it is
worth at least $25 nowl"
Blue Eyes was speedily absorbed in
this remarkable veteran, and trusting
to his convenient deafness q buzzing
colloquy grew quickly louder and
louder behind the. smiling agents back,
What did he find to occupy him so long
about the old hulk?
"Bess, what do you think of that?"
GLOW much is $25 from $65?" "Oh, it's
about 500" 'No, it isn't" "Oh, I'm
so stirred up in my mind I can't bother
with figures" Papa will see we are
business girls" add it up, and see ex-
actly.'' "Oh, it's $oo!" cries the En-
gagged One. you're a perfect gump;
it isn't at ALL" Richmond trip has got
10 GO" "Who cares for old trips? It's
$50" "Well each contribute a third
and so on and so and on.
When the willy agent Strengthened up
his back the thing was settled among
them. lie had no idea of ever straight
ching his back up until the matter was
settled, if it crooked him into q cork
screw.
True, there was a little difficulty in
convincing them that thirteen dollars
and a third was the correct quota, and
the Engaged One counted all her fin
gers twice and the three diamonds in
her ring before she would believe it.
BY hat time the "old w~arhorse" was
screwed down in the wagon and the
new one briskly deposited in the middle
of the parlor.
"God-day, ladiesi" and the black
horse and the white one were kicking
up dust along the avenue.
"Gre't day in de mornin'!" calculated
little black Topsy. dat ar man duu
tote off old Miss SEWN sheen and dun
rob us outer all we-alI's money!"
Bess looked at Dora. Dora looked at
the Engaged One. All three burst out:
"We are robbed! We are robbed
Stopl Come back, sir! Oil Oh-h-hi
He has got all our money! Iwant our
good old machine back again! Come
back herei"
run, Topsy, run! I'll give you a dol
lar if you catch him and bring him
backi"
Never had little Topsy's little black
feet slapped the ground so hard or 50
hastily before.
She tore after the lessening cloud of
dust, around the bend of the road, gain
ing on the black and the white.
They craned their necks to see. Yes;
Topsy was certainly gaining.
Anh BASE. xx-kot - 4Ia r1,,rJ xr,uI1
did you ever get him started on our
darling old machine for? 1t is oil your
fault"
mo such thing! You put The notion
Of buying it in his head yourself. l do
hate that old new thing"
"0w-ow-our lovely trip to nlS,.
mond all gone, too, and not.snandker-
chief even 10 be hemSed. Oh, how did
you have TIC nieart to rob three poor,
hagdess girls like that?"
stop your racket!". shouted Bess
from the horse blocks. "Yonder comes
the cloud Of dust back. Topsy has
nabbed himl Murray for Topsl We
will make him give us back our money,
and darling old machine; never more
to part. Cheer up"
"Bess, you are the greatest goose in
the world. Can't you see that it is only
mother coming home in the surrey?
There! She is waving. Oh, girls, a fool
and his money is soon parted. Oh, my
fifteen dollars-gone! Boo-hoo-ool"
Dora, stop crying. You look like
scarlet fever. Don't be oil OF a sud-
den with mother. Throw a cloth over
that horrible, sickening old thingl How
! do hate it. To be fooled and robbed
by an AGENT"
I'VE must break ii gently to mother,
else she'll have a turn. Is the old thing
hid? Money and trip all gone; Inever
was SO unhappy in my lifel Boo-hoo-
col"
stop crying; can't you?"
"And, so, my dears, l gave up my trip
entirely and bought a present instead.