The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-01-29

anu ldbC dlh blIC JOuIh
mer away, his now doubled custom
making such labor necessary. The
first payment was met without acct
dent; also the second. This so elated
him that he relaxed his purse strings
just a little, and the third one was
met with barely enough of a surplus
to pay his board and lodging for the
next few days. But his sudden fit of
economy had so wrought upon his
landlady that she babe him rest easy
so far as his obligations to her were
concerned, which streak of good for
tune was followed by an offer of the
long withheld credit by the hard
ware merchants of the adjacent viii
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
no little stir among the unmarried
male element, and jokes were passed
back and forth with great deal of
freedom. Hiram vowed himself proof
against the wiles of every daughter
of Eve.
Again he courteda 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
tugging 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 nCer 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 mortgage would fall
due on the morrow, it seemed that d
thunder-bolt had been hurled at him
from the clear sky above.
what! Can't pay it?" demanded
Graves, gruffiy. You ought to be ready
goodness knows, as it's the last pay
ment on good trade"
Il know, but" and he paused
speeches..
Cant you do it?'
'No-o."
''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"
"No; there's the stuff at the
house"
'Humph! How much have you
spent there?"
q bout a hundred dnlIore,
pretty big sum to waste on q
woman" remarked The crusty ole
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' duds and-anL
your wife, too?"
How does the mortgage read?"
ihul SOs hhlliIllCu DdII NTdNeS
Lets go to the house." said Hiram
abruptly. "Well 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 tc
know that his queer business trans
action involved her own freedom
She saw way out, however, ant
forthwith advised her liege lord tC
comply with the lester of the mort
gage.
What! And give you over t,
him?"
''Certainly." At which both me1
began to fear that a 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 car
definitely estimate my value, you
know'-and she bowed with provok
, ing modesty-"so there is no othe
way to settle the matter. Will tina