The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1900-08-17

Grabbe's rising fortune, and supportiue
an increasing family as best they could
and all that they owed in the world wae
Peters debt at the bank. But to do all
this had required SO much hard work and
so many sacrifices that Peters health
had been broken, his spirit had beer
crushed and he had arrived at that stage
where one regards almost all mer
as enemies; and some of the neighbore
said that Mary's mind was weakening
"Yes, I'll raise it for him or die in the
attempt" he muttered, as he hastened
along the dreary, deserted street.
Presently he turned off and walked
hurriedly toward barn which stood or
the open prairie in the outskirts of the
village for Into it man was just driv
ing team.
"Good evenin', John, >" he said, accost.
irg the driver and entering the barn
"You're in late this trip, amt your"
"Hello, Pete, is that your responded
the driver, as he slowly dragged his be-
numbed limbs from under a pile of heavy
horse blankets. Eyes, I'm a COMPOUNDED
sight later than like to be; but the
snow crifted 80 in the buttes, the las,
blizzard, that I've had to drive SO miles
to make 40, and the going is terrible bad
all the way. Besides, I'm about laid up
with the grip.
"That's bad" replied Peter, In q tone
indicating sympathy, though in truth
with some degree of satisfaction. ''Then
p'rhaps you'd like to have me take your
oh off o. your hands for few trips"
"You're mighty right would, Pete, u
quickly returned the driver, "but do you
think you could stand it p
tive got to stand it," answered Pete
positively. "I've got TO raise some
money mighty quick, or have all o. my
property closed on"
1.-THE dickins you say I" exclaimed the
driver. "Then I'll give you just what
I'm getting, Sc trip, and pay all ex-
penses; but you must furnish your own
rig, for my bronchos are about gone up.
What do you say, Pete ~
"That's fair enough in you, John, :"
answered Peter; "but jest the same I
wouldn't think o. dom 1t If I didn't have
to raise another bonus for that leech
down at the bank"
"The blarsted scoundrel !" exclaimed
the driver, with emphasis. "He's worked
me for several hundred, from frat to
last, but you can gamble he'll never do
1t again for cent. When do you have
to raise that blamed bonus ?"
"WednesdaY o. next week." replied
Peter with shudder; land I guess,
John, I'll have to git you to advance
what lack by that time, for you know
it won't do to let it 60 over a single day.
I might beat him, but 1 amt got no
money to hire lawyers with.''
,"You can bet your boots you can
have it, Pete, the very day you have to
pay it," promptly returned the driver.
81 I've got It right in my jeans. Then it's
= 60, is it p
''It's a 60, John, and I'll be round in
The mornin', answered Peter; and bidding
the man good night, he hurried away,
fearing that the true condition of bis
health might be disclosed by fit of
which he felt coming on.
"Well, Mary" he said, with downcast
look, as he entered his humble home, II
couldn't do nothin' with him."
sob, couldn't you, Pete I" responded
bis wife sadly.
''And jest to think, Mary, how I've
,neaked round the bank all the evenin'
;ryin' to work up courage to face nothin' |
ous man like myself Proclaimed Peter,
IN tone indicating shame. sits enough
% make a man hate himself. I don't
olieve I could o. had. the sand to of |
asked him at all II Bill Hartman hadn't
y stood there, givin' of him fits. But it's
Ill the good it done me; 80 Pm goin' on
Johns mail route in the mornin', for six
u eight trips. to raise the money for an
,ther bonus"
80, Pete !" she cried, bursting into
ears and throwing her arms around bis |
,eck. I'm afraid you'll never stand it in !
he world, the way you are. You know |
I'm lots stouter than you are, Pete, and |
wish you'd let me drive it in your place.
Won't you, please p
"Wha' are you talkin' about, Mary !"
Peter quickly, at the same time
Ut H.