Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-09-01
UNCLE MARTINS MONEY.

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SN OSEVILLE was asleep in the
jST duliness of Sunday afternoon
In Mrs. Maloney's sitting room
there was the odor of strong tea, and
that meant that Mrs. Burns and Mrs.
Ryan had stayed over after mass for
dinner and were having friendly cup
of tea before they started homeward
with Their husbands. The men them
4 selves were hanging about the village
somewhere. There had been silence for
some minutes-a heavy, thoughtful
s.lence-after Mrs. Maloney's last re-
mark. The good women were relatives,
cousins In the first degree, and Mrs.
Maloney had been talking of their ma
ternal uncle.
- Its perfect shame she had said.
"Uncle Martin has a good deal OF
money saved up. am sure. He won't
spend it himself and he won't give
anybody else a chance at it, and, like
as not, when he dies, he'll leave it to
Father Shapahan for something or
other that he happens to take into his
head. Martins getting dreadful pious
in his old days. since he's been living
alone in the little house."
He hasn't ii in any bank at Fair
has asked.
Like as not.'' Mrs. Burns said, "he
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 a trip to Chicago.
But the Lord knows that it is he that
could go if he wanted to. Not a chick
nor child to hold him.
Mis-, Malsnayi looked thoughtfu,ly at
Nthe speaker. Il saw him get in with
the McGoverns after mass. He was
going out to the farm to dinner with
them. We might walk over to the
house, and if he's in, give him a little
visit If he isn't"
The key is under the doormat,' ~
said Mrs Burns.
And over to Uncle Martins the coed
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 at once The pipe was laid
away with the cups and saucers, and
pair of shoes stood prominently on
one Of the chairs. But none of them
had any eyes for these incongruities
tJ-day.
How much" said Mrs. Maloney,
"do you think he might have?' as she
drew out a drawer of the old bureau
and began going through it.
IA thousand or so," said Mrs. Burns,
from the depth of an old rag bag.
Il don't believe it's that much" said
Mrs. Ryan, as she went through the
old cans and jugs stored away in the
closet.
They were so busy that they did not
hear a step outside just as the three
of them concluded to look through the
cornshucks in the tick.
But all their digging brought forth
nothing but a few cents laid away fer
ready change, less than a dollar alto
gether.
Red in the face with hurry, and q
little bit ashamed. too. they put things
back as best they could.
WOu0cl SACAC AC mas
way?"
do you suppose it is that he really
hasn't any, as he says pr said Mrs.
Burns.
"Pshaw" said Mrs. Maloney, skep-
tically.
The next morning, however, Mrs
Maloney was to have more exact
knowledge as to the amount Of Uncle
Martins money. Her husband. who
was the village constable. along with
being the biggest storekeeper, came
in to her excitedly.
Uncle Martin was just in the store,
and he says somebody has stolen his
money. He says there were signs of
somebody being in his place when he
came home yesterday evening, and he
thinks he can find out who it was"
Mrs Maloney was skimming the
soup, and she almost dropped the
ladle. After few moments she
managed to control herself enough to
ask:
How much does he say he had?"
"One hundred and fifty dollars. 1
would have thought he'd have had
more" But, Mrs. Maloney made no
protest. She was suddenly thankful
that the old man was satisfied with
that.
And then, think went on her
husband. ''of tle shame on the town
There hasn't beer anybody in the jail
for more than fivS ysars-not since"
Mrs. Maloney interrupted him.
whats Uncle aartin geing to do
about it?'
Hes gone off Il see if he can get
some evidence. he has a suspicion
who it is; he's goint to be gone until
this evening. and thin he's to let me
know He's"