Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-09-02
.N IA! u il Legacy.
H7 UsH, children! There's your
jill father comingY'

e>~>e~o--seese~~~
S7S7 UsH, children! There's your
I6I father comingy'
Mr.. Jcbson fell, metaphorlcal-
" speaking, like wet blanket on the
bosom of his family. They all trem-
bled as he came in. Charley dropped
the Robinson Crusoe" that he was
reading, and deity substituted an
arithmetic in Its place. Juliet sewed
harder than ever at her patchwork.
Mrs. Jobson made haste to ding an
other log upon the fire, and the old
grandmother in the corner drew her
knit wooden shawl closer around her
shoulders with a little shudder.
Dear mel" said Mr.. Jobson; dear
mel It's just MS said. There's an
other cold wave coming from the
northwest. and coal is two shilllngs a
ton higher. Goodness knows what's to
become of us ALL
Presently he looked around inquir-
ingly.
"Eh? How? What's that I SMELLY
Chickens? Actually chickens roastingl
Where's the cold pork that was left
from yesterdays dinner7"
II thought" said Mrs, Jobson apollo.
getically, Tint as we had so many
young chickens coming on
Every one Of those chickens said
Mr.. Jobson, speaking slowly and
counting OF the syllables on his fin
gers. will be as good as a crown
piece when the holidays come on. Poul-
try is going up Dup, as steadily as
a rocket, and here you are roasting It
for an everyday dinner. l never saw
such an extrayagant manager as you
are, Jane. Hereafter shall count the
fowls, and II one is taken away.
shall take means to know the reason
why. And those In this house who are
too dainty to eat cold pork may live on
bread and cheese"
Mrs. Jobson murmured something
about trying to do what seemed right
always" and a gloomy silence fell over
the whole group.
There's the wing Of the old kitch.
en-" said he. 1--WE put Naomi Brush
out Of 1t this morning."
Mrs. Jobson looked up In surprise.
"Put Naomi Brush out 2" she repeat
ed; and what Is the poor soul going
to do?'
That's her lookout" said Mr.. job
son; .'she has preyed long enough on
me and mine. I've got an offer of a
crown q month from Tom Diggs for
the old room. And may as well say,
now. that don't at all approve of the
way you women have been going on
about old Naomi. / never could teach
you the necessity for being economical
How am ever to. pay Jones the two
hundred pounds that owe him, II this
b the way we are to go on? How,
But here the old grandmother spoke
out in mild tone.
Not by being economical at the ex.
pense Of other people. Calvin" said she
gently.
"God has said, Give, and 1t shall be
given unto you He has not said.
.scrape and pinch. and grind the faces
Of the poor, and you viii get rich
Naomi Brush is solitary and friendless.
and when you turned her from the sole
shelter she has, you did cruel and I'M
generous thing"
And, taking up her knitting, the good
old woman went quietly out Of the
room.
The children all stared.
Mrs. Jobson looked apprehensiyely
at her husband, and Mr.. Jobson him
self turned NIL manner Of colors.
''That settles the matter" said Mr.,
Jobson hoarsely to himself, as he walk
ed out Of the house with his hands in
his pockets. ut isn't every son-in- law
who would have borne the burden of
helpless old woman rs cheerfully as 1
have done. But when Mrs. Price I'M
dertakes to dictate to me, she assumes
q little too much. I'll tell Jane, this
afternoon, that she must find some
other home for her mother. I suppose
she'll cry and make a great fuss over
1t. but can't help that. Grandmother
must 60. don't at all doubt that it's
she who has been putting Jane ND to
all this senseless extravaganza. In the
matter Of charity.
In his intent self absorption he al
most stumbled over a portly little man
in fur-trimmed overcoat, who had
Den coming in his direction with a res
olute step.
"Oh. It's you. is It. Squire jones' p,
said he obsequiously.
Yes. it's me-" said the squire, recov.
ering his equilibrium with some diff
Guilty. II was just coming to see you.
Jobson. about that little note of yours,
! think I told you last week that I
t wanted the money. And wish you to
understand that must have it, or |
shall And myself compelled to foreclose
on the mortgage"
Mr.. Jobson grew pale.
..Isn't this rather sudden!' said he
family.
The squire shrugged his shoulders.
'what would you havef, said he.
1.-THE money is overdue. and there's a
considerable amount OF interest still
unpaid. To tell you the truth. Jobson,
I don't like this way of doing business,
and want my money one week from
to-day"
Mr.. Jobson tore his hair.
1.-TWO hundred pounds" he cried.
"And in q week. Why, who ever heard
Of anything SO duel1'
"Cruel!' echoed the squire. Is II
cruel Of business man to want his
own back again? You should have
thought Of that before you borrowed
It."
And the squire walked on.
Mr.. Jobson kept his weary way, rack
ing his brains to conjure up some es-
cape out Of the dilemma. Two hun
dred pounds! And in weeM How
was the thing to be done?
BY the side Of miserable old shanty
by the road there was assembled a lit
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