The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-04-14

us when she'd expec' ter make hersen
clear like"
q dunno, sirs," replied the woman.
I'm old, an can't get abaat much, an
my things amt O. the fust class, an
since TIL big shops opened few folks
cum near me, an'-an' there's no tellin'
as I'd ever be able ter pay. Maybe Id
only get farther i tn mire like. l
dunno what ter say"
The cheeks of Amos Atkin were
blown out to their fullest extent. His
eyes bulged forward, and his fat hands
played nervously with his heavy silver
watchguard.
"Prob'ly," he said with burst, "sum
on yer ill think me fool like, but
but-well, it amt Christian as we
should send Mrs. Morris here inter tn
union. You does just what yer likes,
hut | withdraws my claim for til rent.
Theer-Tm maybe luney, but-well,
theer t isl" and he sank back in his
chair as though his soul had been re-
lieved of burden.
81 doant think as that's exactly bust
ness said Tuckwell. Its what they
calls a bad precedent: an yet-yet I
may say it shows a good spirit. I'm
thinkin' as maybe I'd not miss TIL little
mite Mrs. Morris owes me, an'-an' if
the rest i'll do tn same, We'll just call
it square"
I'm hanged if I'm going 10 BE out
done by any rantin' Methody local. ex-
claimed Needham, trying to drive his
fists farther into his breeches pockets,
IAN states or no states, We'll wipe EN-
cut"
It's like emo I'll get a DANCED good
wiggin' when I get 'ome from TIL ovid
man. put in young Horton, but if he
can't spare the price of half a ton of
coal, well, he's a thick 'un."
The four men twisted uneasily on
their chairs.
They had each been guilty of fool
ish act, but each had the consolation
that he was not alone.
can what say you, Mester Catsby?"
inquired Bill Needham.
at strikes me as Trentbofo' i'll be
hevin' a laugh at us as a lot O. milk
'eaded, soft earted-oh, no offence. Mes
ter Needham, but yer knaws what Rob
son, an Teddy Russell, an them there
ill have ter say in the White Deer when
they ears ont. Well niver be done
wit, an We'll be chaffed as no folks liver
was"
"Many a man doesn't do what is cart
tells i'm a'cause he's afeared O. bein'
laughed att said the preacher.
"Im not thinkin' as how anybody
should know owt abaat it." said Need
ham. ''If we hou'd our clap, no folks
| ill be owt wiser"
That's trew," answered the haber-
dasher, IAN I'm willin' ter join in, pro-
vidin' theirs nowt said abaat it,"
"Well, we amt SIGH fools as ter gle
folks chance O. laughin"," said the
other. at least. amt
Lawyer Spencer made a mild obiec-
ton, but he was promptly overruled
Then, gentlemen, may / take it this
meeting is dissolved without the credi-
tors coming to any decision?"
jest as yer like, mester," said Tuck
well, but I'm thinllin' we've cum 70 a
decision all t'same.'
Never once had Martha Morris raised
her head. She was conscious enough of
the conversation, and she knew that her
lot was to be the workhouse after all.
81 thank you, sirs; I'm 'ternal obliged
ter yer" she said in her thin voice.
which had no softness in it.
"An' | thinks it's abaat time I clears
off ter my tea" said Needham, rising
and stretching himself.
For few minutes the men stood talk
ing on the pavement. The old woman
slipped by them. There was no color
in her cheek, not even CLEAN of bright
ness in her eye. She ambled across the
Market place and down Church lane.
81 was thinEin' We was i'll, Mrs. Nor
ris," said another old dame. 81 was
wonderin' why tn shutters was up
"Oh, | had a bit O. business. an L
course there was nobody as I could
leave ter look after TIL place"
She went into her kitchen and took
off her bonnet with the faded lace. She
stirred up the fire and put on the ket-
tie. Then she went round to the front
and lifted down the shutters.
What has ter be, nun be-" she NUT
tered to herself.