Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-08-08

that Mrs. Burns and Mrs.
Ryan had stayed over alter mass for
dinner and We're having q friendly cup
of tea before they started homewari
with their husbands. TIE men them
selves were hanging about the village
somewhere. There had been silence
for some minutes-a heavy. thought
full silence-af:er Mrs. Maloney's last
remark. The good women We're rela-
tives, cousins in the first degree and
Mrs. Maloney had been talking of their
maternal uncle.
Its perfect shame" she had
said. Uncle Martin has Il good deal
of money saved up. | am sure. He
won't spend il himself and he won't
give anybody else Il chance ut il. and.
like as not. when lie dies. he'll leave
1t TO Father Shanahan for something
or other that he happens to take into
his head. Martins getting dreadful
pious in his old age. since he's been
living alone in the little house"
He hasn't it in any bank at Fair
brooke" said Mrs. Ryan. because Pat
has asked"
Like us not" Mrs. Burns said. che
has it hid in the house somewhere
He's that queer about it. you never can
tell. He's always wishing he had
money enough for trip TO Chicago.
But the Lord knows that il Is he that
could go il he wanted to. Not chick
nor a child to hold him
Mrs. Maloney looked thoughtfully ut
the speaker. Il saw him get in with
the McGoverns after mass. He was
going ont to the farm 10 dinner with
them. We might walk over to the
house. and if he's in. give him little
visit. II he isn't"
''Thc key is under the dcormat,"
said Mrs. Burns.
And over 10 Uncle Martins the good
ladies went. He was not at home.
and the key was under the mat The
house. though generally clean. had the
air of being managed by a man. which
women see az once. The pipe was laid
away with the cups and saucers. and
pair of shoes stool prominently on
one OF the chairs. But none o: them
hal any eyes for these incongrui;ies
today.
How much" said Mrs. Maloney.
"do you think he might haye:" as she
drew out n drawer of the old bureau
and began going through *.
"A thousand or so." said Mrs. Burns.
from the depth of an old rag bag.
81 don't believe its that mGch." said
Mrs. Ryan. as she went through the old
cans and jugs stored away in the
closet.
They were so busy that they did rot
of them concluded to look through the
cornshuclls in the tick.
But all their digging brought forth
nothing but few cents laid away for
ready change. less than dollar alto
gethcr.
Red in the face with hurry. and q
little bit ashamed. too. they put things
back Is best they could.
Il wonder where he has ii, any
way
do you suppose Il is that hc really
hasn't any. as he says" said Ms.
Burns.
"Pshaw" said Mrs. Malorey. scep-
tically.
The next ma:Eir-. however. Mrs
sOncy was TO have more exact
Iwledge rs 10 the amount of Uncle
lrtin's money. Her husband. who
as the village constable along with
'einS the biggest storelseeper. came
in TO her e1citedly.
'Iincle Martin was just in the store
e says somehody has stolen his
,ey. lie says there were signs of
<nehody being in his Place when he
came home yesterday evening. and he
thinks be can find cut who it was
Mrs. Maloney was Swimming tho
soup. and she almost dropped the
laGle. After 4 f6w moments she man.
I'll TO control herself enough Ia ask:
How much does hc say h. had:"
"One hundred AMI fifty dollars.
would have thought he'd have haa
more But Mrs. Maloney made 10
J-otest. She was suddenly thankful
that the old man was satisfied with
that.
And then. think" went o. her hus-
bard. "of the shame on tie toGr.
There hasn't been anybody in iac jail
for more than i've ycarS-aoi since
slrs. Maloncy Interrupted him:
"what's Uncle Martin going 20 do
about it.''
"He's gore off to scc IL ne can Gct
some evidence. lie has suspicion
who 1t is: he's going 10 be gone until
this evening. and then he's to let me
know. Hes"
A summons from the store came jus;
and Mrs. SIaiOney was. forum.
:. left alone.
e must have seen u.s." she
ned, as she dropped into
A.
ter dinner she went out arl
ed Jenny TO the road cart. tellin
husband that she was going for Il
drive. Once out OF sight. how
.1dn Jenny hy.
bears and gnashing OF
Burns and the Ryan
n the cad. the butter