The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-08-05

used to Miss Dinkcr. When she visited
the village store. and put piece of
tape up her sleeve, the watchful shop
man added its price TO her bill. When
she took her neighbours forks the neigh
Dor sent n polite message to Miss Jane
Dinker to have them restored; and Miss
Jane, who was old Miss Dinker's niece.
would find them up chimney or down
cellar and restore them.
Old Miss Dnlker knew that she was
deserving OF blame in thus lndulgIng
her desire for stolen fruit. but as she
often remarked when reasoned with
"she couldn't help It,"
She was generous old lady, too,
and kindly. and II she taught Jane that
man was deceiver, and that splnster-
hood was blessed. she meant well.
Capt Richard Murphy. told another
story when his ship lay In port, and he
himself rested mt little hotel In Cum
minsecd. And Jane, won over by his
merry voice and jolly ways, forgot her
aunt's precepts. and one day ran away
with him. leaving penltent little note
for her aunt and begging her forgive
ness.
The old lady was naturally lndig-
nant, but when, three days after, the
Captain brought Jane back under his
arms, established her In beautiful lit
tie house, which he had purchased, and
sent for "the old lady to make up"
Miss DinlSer relentcd, took tea with her
nj. nj Act TO 90
choice. and so the village scandal was
silcnced for while. and people called
on Mrs. Capt. Murphy.
They lived together for five years In
great contentment and n little boy was
born TO them, and all went prosperous
ly, but at the end of that time the
sword that always hangs by hair over
the head of seafarlng mans life fell
at last. Tho Captains vessel was n
wreck. and the Captain and crew per
ished In mldocean. and Jane. after hop
Ing against hope, and refusing to be-
lieve when no one else doubted. and
listening night and day for step that
came not and could never come. accept
cd the truth ut last and put on her
Widows cap and took the awful truth
In place Of suspense, and tried 10 live
and bear II for her boys sake.
Then there came from some far-off
place a man who proved himself the
Captains brother and who claimed his
property. alleging that Jane Dinker
had never been married to John at all.
Jane was furious, but she could only
vow that a clergyman Of the Episcopal
Church had married her. She could
not remember the name OF the church
nor of Its pastor. nor had she what the
brother called "'er lines" The mar
riage certificate. as she declared. the
Captain always kept among his private
papers and had taken to sea with him.
She advertised In New York paper
for the clergyman who had performed
the service, but no answer came, and
finally the law and popular opinion de
clarcd that the widow had never been
wife. and she was left poverty.
stricken and helpless. and not a friend
In the world but old Miss Dinkcr She
came out nobly.
Alas. all the rest OF Cumminseed held
a contrary opinion. They shuddered
at the thought OF having associated
with such n creature. and wondered
how she had dared TO impose upor
them so. They sent her to Coventry
and tabooed her. | think some Of the
dearest creatures would have tarret
and feathered her II they could. Jan,
Dinker had the comfortable Yanke,
pride Of Responsibility" In Its Yanke,
sense strong within her soul. and thh
scorn quite crushed her. She hid her
self from human eyes as much as pos
sible. and went thankfully home Will
old Miss Dinker. whose income ha,
grown smaller In these years. and VIII,
really showed great generosity In tax
Ing her dlsgraced niece TO her bosom.
And now that she had countenance,
poor Jane. and opened her house to her
she also had lost her friends, and PEG
pie grew hard upon her.
, "You'll tell your aunt Miss Jane. tina
! shall proceed to law If lose anothc
spoon" said one angry matron. L
whom Jane had been forced to speak.
When her boy grew older there wer
children near by who N he venture,