The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-08-05
Uncle Martins Money.

IA there was the odor o
tx s.sI strong 'ea, and that mean
hat Mrs. Burns and Mrs
Ryan had stayed over after mass fol
dinner and were having a friendly cul
Of tea before they started homewart
with their husbands. The men them
selves were hanging about the village
somewhere. There had been silence
for some minuteS-a heavy, thought
full silencc-aftcr Mrs Maloney's last
remark. The good women were rela.
tives, cousins in the first degree. and
Mrs Naloncy had been talking of theil
maternal uncle.
les a perfect shame" she had
said. Uncle Martin has a good deal
Of money saved up. | am sure. lie
won't spend it himself and lie won't
give anybody else a chance at it. and
like as not, when he dies. he'll leave
1t to Father Shanahan for something
or other that he happens to take into
his head. Martins getting dreadful
piors 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 rs not" Mrs. Eurns 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 90 If lie wanted to- Not a chick
nor child to hold him."
Mrs. Maloney looked thoughtfuly at
the speaker. II saw him get in with
the McGoverns after mass. He was
going out TO the farm to dinner with
them. We might wall; over to the
house, ana if he's in, give him little
visit If he isn't"
Tho key is under the doormat,"
said Mrs. Burns.
And over to 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 n man. which
women sac at once. The pipe was laid
away with the cups and saucers. and
a pair Of shoes stood prominently on
one of the chairs. But none of them
had any eyes for these incongruitles
to-day.
How much" said Mrs. NIaloney.
"d0 you thinl; he might haye?' rs she
drew out drawer of the old bureau
and began going through il.
"a thousand or so." said Mrs. Burns.
from the depth OF an old rag bag.
81 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 step outside, just as the three
Of them concluded to look through the
corBshucks In the tick.
But all their digging brought forth
nothing but Il few cents laid away for
ready change, less than a dollar alto.
gathcr.
Red In the face with hurry, and q
little bit ashamed, too, they put things
back rs best they could.
Il wonder whore lie has It, any.
vay:'
do you suppose It is that he really
hasn't any, as be says" said Mrs.
Burns.
"Pshaw~ said Mrs. AIaloney, sccp.
tlcally
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 eycitcdly.
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 lind out who 1t was"
Mrs. Maloney was sklmming tho
soup. and she almost dropped the
iadle. After few moments she man
aged 10 control herself enough 10 ask:
How much does he say lie had?"
"One hundred ana fifty dollars.
would have thought he'd have hat
more" But Mrs. Maloney made NJ
protest She was suddenly thankful
that the old man was satisfied will
that.
And then, think" went on her hus
band, 'of the shame on the town
There hasn't been anybody In the Sal
for more than five years-not since
Mrs. Maloncy interrupted him
whats Uncle Martin going to d
about III"
Hes gone off 10 see II he can &c
some evidence. lie has suspicion
who II is; he's going to be gone unit
this evening. and then he's to let m
know. Hes"
A summons from the store came jus
then. and Mrs. Maioney was. fortun
ately.. left alone.
"IIe must have seen u.s." sh
moaned. as she dropped into a
chair.
After dinner she went out an
hitched Jenny to the road cart. tellin
her husband that she was going for
little drive. Once ont OF sight. how
ever. she made Jenny ny.
Tlere were tears and gnashing Q
tseth In tho burns and the Rya
! HOUSEHOLDS. but " the end. the butts