Sharp County record., 1903-07-31

help him transfer the pest Uf hls De
lunrings from the old place Of business
to the new.
Early and late did the youth ham
mer away, his now doubled custom
making such labor necessary. Ihc
first payment was met without acci'
dent; also the second. This 50 clated
him that he relaxed his purse strings
Just little, and the third one WAS
met with barely enough of u surplus
to pay his board and lodging for tue
next lew days. But hIs sudden lit 90
economy had so wrought upon Ms
landlady that she bade him rest easy
50 far rs 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 VII
lH2e.
The last-named opportunity was too
tempting for the aAtute 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, Il certain Miss Sarah Ann Mills,
who had come to make her home win
venerable uncle The event caused
no little stir among the unmarried
male clement. and jokes were passed
back and forth with a great deal Of
freedom. Hiram vowed himself proof
against the wiles OF every daughter
vi Eve.
Again he courted a temptation which
proved beyond his power of resist
ance. lie met the young lady, who
was but Il few years his junior, and
for the first time in his life felt a
tuggng at his heartstrings. There
was no denying the fact-the worst
had come. lie 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, y neat cot
tage was rented ncar the blacksmith
shop-so near that the bride could lis
ten all day long to the music OF heI
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 Gart Graves ap
peared at the shop-door one day to re
mind him that the mortgage would fal
due Oh the morrow, it seemed that 4
thunder-bolt had been hurled at hin
from the clear sky above.
What! Can't pay it?" demanded
Graves, gruitiy, You ought to be ready
goodness knows, as it's the last pay
ment on good trade"
~ know, but" and he paused
speechless.
Cant you do it~ s'-''''
moo"
"Well. III have to do the next best
thing"
whats that?"
"(lnSo tho mort ua Da -
Cant you give me another sil
nonths?" implored Hiram.
Mary a day. Remember, young
man, you're dealing with old Bart
Graves, and there's no backing down
Is this al! you've bought?"
mo; there's the stuff at tht
aouse."
"lIumphl How much have yor
spent there?"
"About hundred dollars
pretty big sum to waste on q
woman remarked the crusty ole
bachelor. And is that alp"
"Ye-es," faltercd Hiram.
ABE careful" warned Bart. "Thn,
mortgage takes in everything, yor
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 III have
20 take your weddin' duth and-anL
your wife, too?"
How does the mortgage read?"
"That's So" admitted Bart Graves
Lets 60 to the house." said Hiram
abruptly. Wen have TO tell her
there's no getting ont of it."
Mrs. Patton laughed till exhausted
when told of her husbands predica
mcnt, but blushcd nevertheless tc
know that his queer business trans,
action involved her own freedom
She saw n way out, however, ans
forthwith advised her liege lord tt
comply with the letter of the mort,
gage.
What! And give you over tc
him?