Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-02-05

ware merchants or the auJacenI VII
lage.
The last-named opportunity was TOO
+ tempting for the astute Hiram Patton
to resist. Accordingly, he stocked up
his shop with up-to-date appliances,
Bart Graves looking on with no small
degree of interest.
1t was at about that time that new
arrival in the neighborhood was re-
ported, a certain Miss Sarah Ann Mills,
who had come to make her home with
a venerable uncle. The event caused
no little stir among the unmarried
male element, and jokes were passed
back and forth with q great deal of
freedom. Hiram vowed himself proof
against the wiles of every daughter
of Eve.
Again he courted a temptation which
proved beyond his power Of resist
ance. He met the young lady, who
was but few years his junior, and
for the first time in his life felt a
Juggling at his heartstrings. There
was no denying the fact-the worst
had come. He was in love! And for
him to set his heart on anything was
to possess it, as had proven the case
with the shop.
His attentions to the blushing Sarah
Ann were regarded with favor, and
soon they were engaged. Not long
afterward they were married, both
being satisfied to dispense with the
usual ceremonious delay. a neat cot
tage was rented near the blacksmith
shop-so near that the bride could lis
ten all day long to the music of her
lords hammer.
After his marriage it was impossible
for Hiram to save money. He and Sa-
rah Ann spent it faster than it was
earned. And when Bart Graves APP
peared at the shOp-doOr one day to re-
mind him that the ortgage would fall
due on the morrow, it seemed that
thunder-bolt had been hurled at him
from the clear sky above.
"What! Can't pay it?" demanded
Graves, gruiIly. you ought to be ready,
goodness knows. as it's the last pay
ment on good trade"
81 know, but" and he paused,
speechless.
Cant you do it?"
Moo"
"Well, I'll have to do the next best
thing"
whats that?"
"Close the mortgage"
Cant you give me another SIX
months?" implored Hiram.
Mary a day. Remember, young
man, you're dealing with old Bart
Graves, and there's no backing down.
Is this all you've bought"
mo; there's the stuff at the
house"
"Humphl How much have you
spent there?"
About a hundred dollars"
Pretty big sum to waste on
woman" remarked the crusty old
bachelor. "And is that ALP"
"Ye-es," faltered Hiram.
"Be careful" warned Bart. THAT
mortgage takes in everything, You
know"
well, the fact is" continued Pat
ton, confusedly. Fact is, there's my
new toggery, and the wedding ex-
penses, and-and Sarah Ann"
"Wh-ew!" calculated Graves,
aghast. Dye mean to say I'll have
to take your weddin' buds and-and
your wife, too?"
"How does the mortgage read?"
That's So" admitted Bart Graves.
Lets go to the house." said Hiram,
abruptly. Wen have to tell her
there's no getting out of it."
Mrs. Patton laughed till exhausted
when told of her husbands predica-
ment, but blushed nevertheless to
know that his queer business trans
action involved her own freedom.
She saw a way out, however, and
forthwith advised her liege lord to
comply with the letter of the mort
gage.
what! And give you over to
him?"
Certainly" At which both men
began to fear that n trip to the in
sane asylum would be next in order.
THAT will free you from this obi
CATION, you see, and I'll Immediately
pledge myself to pay Mr.. Graves the
cash balance on the present incum-
brance, you making the money and |
saving it. Neither you nor he can
definitely estimate my value, you
Lnow"-and she bowed with provoke
ing modesty-"so there is no other
way to settle the matter Win that
suit your"
It'll have to-" replied her husband,
meekly. While with a sullen nod Of
appreciation Mr.. Graves hurried away
from the spot, declaring it to be the
first and avowedly the last dealings
he should ever have with a woman.
That was the last mortgage ever
given by Hiram Patton, for with the
judicious Sarah Ann to prevent UNI
necessary expense, he managed to
save, not only the shop, but to pur-
chase a home as we'll And there
after, whenever times were dull or
the dollars scarce, Sarah Ann had
merely to offer to give mortgage
on herself to Danish all traces OF
blues, prospective debts, or other int
pediments.-Ledger Monthly.
- 60. 81