The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-01-06

T hadn't thought on it-" she began
 Well you jess oughter," broke 1T 1 her companion volubly. Its sin ane
 a shame to let money go to waste as l b'longs ter you by good rights! Why 1 there's Seth Sawyer, claimed he had 2 gunshot in the knee-hed doctors cer- | tifcate made out an all that; but Far | mer Jones sez he got it pilferin' hen roost-he was with him when he done l it. Of course he can't come forward and testify fur he'd be defamin uv his own character. An Hannah Platt-she that Wuz a Winslow--draWs her sti- pend reg'lar; though every one knows Stephen Pratt never went inter the wal tell 'twuz nigh on over, an died in his bed at his allotted time. No one can say that of your claim, Penelope. It's all open and above board"
 A tender smile wreathed Miss Pene- lopes lips as she lifted her eyes to the opposite wall, where sword and knap- sack were suspended.
 Yes Nathan, he fit in three battles Shilo, Manassay and the Wilderness. He Wuz took ter the hospittle arter the last one, an that's the only bit uv in-
 
 | make out, even, where he was buried. Corporal Brent, he brought me them things back; found 'em on the battle- field"
 A tear stole down the wrinkled cheek.
 '"Twuz a grievous loss, Sister Pene- lope. That's the way I look at it. You've give a life to your country, an now 1t owes you a reeompensatlon."
 Mrs. Bracket leaned back after this statement, and looked at her friend as if defying her to deny the allegation. The bereaved widow shifted uneasily under that steady gaze. The remark able flow of language confused her. Tt never seemed exactly right" she ventured timidly. "Elder Little use ter go on awful 'gainst insurance. Pears ter me this is bout the same thing?"
 Elvira Bracket sniffed contemptu- ously.
 Sake alive. The quicker you get that notion out yer head the better. You don't hear no sech talk nowadays in the pulpit. Times hey changed. Be- sides, you've got ter look out fur yer self Think uv havin' ten dollars a month, sides the arrears. Uncle Sam's good purvider"
 Miss Penelope made no rejoinder to this, but turned the heel of her stock ing meditatively Perhaps awe of El- vira Brackett restrained her from an open expression of her views, for Mrs. Brackets mother was Peterson. To have emanated from such stock was ,f of t,a sons had borne the title of circuit judge; all had held offices of respecta- bilty.
 Mrs, Brackets sisters husband was a prosperous plumber. They lived in the city, and Elvira paid a yearly visit to her kinfoll1s, returning from each trip in an elevated and instructive frame of mind. Elvira was a born manager; so now, wheu she leaned for ward with an air of settled determina tion Miss Penelope sank back in her chair with much the same sensation of a fly in a spiders web.
 Its all very well,' Elvira went on, in an emphatic tone of voice, Ito be in- dependent when you're young an spry, an can look out for yourself, but now, with old age staring you in the face, it's Q slightin' uv Providence that's what it be! We wliz talkin' it over at the sewing circle last Wednesday. Hannah Jewett said she heard you hadn't been to meetin' since last July cause you hadn't a decent pair uv shoes ter wear. Now. Miss Penelope, you know what the Bible says about hidin' yer talent in a napkin. Elf hevin' a husband thet fit in three battles isn't talent I don't know what is!"t
 Elviras arguments were not exactly logical, but Miss Penelope had not the courage to refute them, and so she went on:
 q tell you now I have an idea. July Ann has sent a pass fur me to come on an visit her. I can't get off, seein' t's jest preservin' time, but you might as well take it an go as far as Washing ton. July Anns sister-in-law keeps a boardng-hGuse there an she'll take you i'm m write her to meet you an she'll tell you how to go bout it. That's just the very thing! I'll find some one goin on from Northboro ter put yer In care of, an it'll give you chance ter see the capital, too---its a powerful pretty city, so they say. Now. I guess I've got you all fixed!" And Elvira drew her shawl around her and prepared to take her departure. Don't yer worry about yer things or nothin. I'll be over an fix 'em up for you.'
 Miss Penelope sat motionless for a long time after her visitor had left her. The sun crept down behind the horizon line, and the stars lit their glimmering tapers one by one. A thread of moon- light stole through the parted curtains and glittered on the shining andirons. When she stumbled to her feet at last, and began to prepare her simple meal there was dazed expression on her face.
 Nigh on ter 72 an goin' ter the cap- it'll! l wonder what Nathan would say? Fiviry seems seems ter think it's my duty. She sed it wuz a slghtin' uv Providence"
 Even now, after Nathan had been dead thirty years. Miss Penelope found herself deferring to his opinion, as she had always tried to do while living; not that she had ever followed his advice when given. It was simply a form of respect by which she strove to hide the that Nathan's judgment was not to be relied upon Indeed, no Ine but Miss Penelope had much opin- on of Nathan Briggs To obtain a {. u Tf.