The Republican journal., 1902-10-23
GRANDPA ALIENS TRUNK.

Ill the corner. He was glad there was
fire in the fireplace, and he was glad
that Aunt Josephine was busy talking
to Mrs. Packard. 1t was delightful
playing truant from school and spend
ing a long October afternoon in the
woods: but when it came towards night
it grew chilly and person felt uncom-
Portable. The kid had known how it
would be, for he had played truant be-
fore. There was always the hungry
feeling, and the thoughts of Aunt
Josephine, and the lonesome feeling
that came when the suns rays reached
a certain slant and ones conscience
began to get troublesome. 1t was al
ways sad little kid who came creeping
home from these expeditions; but the
sadness never lasted over night. Per
haps after all, the sadness was mostly
fear Of Aunt Josephine's displeasure,
and when the worst was over-wel1 he
could always remember those delightful
hours before the sun got low and the
air got chilly.
Tonight the fire in the fireplace
cracked and snapped cheerily From
the kitchen, where Maggie was busting
around getting supper savory odors
came floating in and filled the hungry
kid With cOntentment. Best of all
Aunt Josephine was talking SO busily
that he even doubted if she had seen
him come in and that filled his measure
OF conlentment to Overlooking. Pres
entity as he sat there in his corner, he
began unconSciously to listen to what
Aunt Josephine was saying. There
has never been a doubt in my mind,'
she said, that grandpa Allen left
large sum of money. | can remember
the little black trunk that he kept his
papers ill., and | know that when he got
queer he took to filling that trunk with
money. He had twenty thousand dol
lars in the bank at one time; but when
he died it was found he had drawn it all
out 1t is safe to believe that he had
hidden it away. for everybody knows
he had never invested it: and the little
black trunk has never been seen from
that day to this though we have
searched the place until not SO much as
a ten cent piece could be hidden in any
corner of it. My father went so far as
to have every inch Of the farm plowed
up during his lifetime, hoping grandpa
I1l h,,r Ia
lie died without finding it, and left the
place to brother James with a heavy
mortgage on it. Jim has worked his
life out trying to clear the mortgage
He WAS doing very well until Annie
died: since then he hasn't had any
courage. Now the mortgage is to be
foreclosed and this old home that has
been III our family over q hundred
years, Will go to strangers. | tell you,
Mrs. Packard. it is almost more than
flesh and blood can bear" And the kid
saw two tears roll down over Aunt
Josephine cheeks. Somehow those
Tears Went straight to his heart: for
although Aunt Josephine was d rigid
disclplinarian the kid loved her dearly.
Before Mrs. Packard could speak the
words OF sympathy that rose to her lips
lie was on his feet, his black eyes flash
ia4, hs cheeks flushed with excitement.
his voice shUil with the intensity of his
emotion. Aunt Josephine don't you
cry. You shall not leave this place.
viii lind that trunk for you. Why didn't
you tell me about it before? Don't YOU
know how good ! am to find things.
Papa says there's nothing safe from me
When | start to rummaging. | will find
that trunk and you and papa shall have
the money. Don't you worry about it
any more, Aunt Josephine. Don't YOU
worry And he stopped for sheer
want Of breath.
For moment Aunt Josephine was
TOO astonished to speak. Then she
drew him to her: My Kid" was all she
SAID, My good brave little Kid" But
that was enough for her voice was very
sweet, and she held him very closely.
when | was a little fellow was the
thought that went through his mind.
Besides Aunt Josephine always called
him George, because she disapproved
of his being called 'the Kid" Some
how, for brief space of time the kid
was happy despite the trouble: then he
drew himself up, and the color faded
from his round cheeks. Aunt Jose
phine,' he said solemnly, perhaps you
had better know--I ought to tell you
didn't go to school this afternoon. |
ran away and stayed up in the beech
woods, by the brook, all the afternoon
There was d queer look in Aunt Jose
phlne's eyes as they met Mrs. Pack
ards, but it was not a stern look, and
the kid was surprised to find that her
arm still held him tightly. "Why did
You tell me this, she asked. "Well. I
guess I'm truly sorry this time, Aunt
Josephine. And | thought you ought
to know that | wasn't what you called
me just now. But | viii try to be good
y