The daily Alaskan., 1905-12-14
In the Nick of Time
IOrlglnal.l

lLlk LAAG NbkGtAA any eA fNoN
 household effects was in progress at the house where they had been accu' mulating and wearing out for thirty years. The only residents were man and his wife, who had been gradually sinking from comfort to poverty until their house was to be sold under a fore closure of mortgage and the effects were going to pay individual debts. The couple stood together, the husband now and again vainly trying to infuse Into bis wife courage to see her treas ures scattered.
 'I can't bear to see that go," she said to him. i've kept 1t ever since Tommy wore 1t. I embroidered every bit of 1t with my own hands. l can't, l can't.
 But Tommy proved q dlsappoint- ment to us, mother. I put him out of my mlud long ago. At least I've tried to. thought when grew old he'd take the burden was bearing for him. but he ran away and left us to go to rack and ruin. Stand up, mother"
 q can't. I wish you hadn't been so harsh with him. He was young and headstrong. He needed soothing. You fretted him."
 ''who bids?" the auctIoneer kept say Ing. "Is no one going to bid on this chlld's dress? That embroidery was all done by hand-nOne of your machine work. Every stitch shows the greatest care. Step up, ladies, snd examine it."
 Five dollars" cried l mans voice from the far end of the room.
 The auctioneer looked surprised.
 Five dollars I'm offered. Make 1t a half-S5. It can't be possible that If man Is willing to give such price the ladies will not go higher. Why, the pattern has just come into fashion"
 But there were no mere bids, and he pronounced the article sold.
 Then he took up the next, haby's bonnet. A lady bid 25 cents, but the purchaser of the dress lid q dollar, and 1t was knocked down to him. A young woman hung on his arm who appeared to be his wife. The women present whispered to each other and looked at the couple who seemed so anxious for babies clothes. The young husband kept on bidding, and the child for whom they were intended must be boy and growing old rapidly. First toys, then sled, tricycle., hobbyhorse, no matter how dilap!dated their condition, were bid in by the man who was ready to absorb all of them. Then when articles of furniture were put up the buyer con tinued his purchases. Chairs, tables sofas, mirrors, all went into the pos session of the stranger.
 "Cheer up. mother" whispered the old man. "The thing5 are bringing more than they are worth"
 They're not bringing tithe of what they are worth to me" she sighed 'This young couple w1o are buyinG them all remind me of the time whcr you and I started out SO happy. It's all over now. They'll huve to come to It some time, poor things"
 "I hope the boy they're buying the toys for won't desert them," sighed the man.
 There was not very mich to sell, and what there was the stranger purchas. ed. Then the auctiOncer announced that he would sell the house. It was some time before any bid could be got and then 1t came from the man who had bought the effects. He bid $3,OOO. Several persons wanted the house, and 1t was run up to $SOOO before the bid. ding began to drop off. At last the only two contestants remaining were a real estate operator and the mRn who had purchased the toys. The two ran the price up to $1O,OO0, when the unknown astonished all present by bidding $2o,- 900. That ended the sale, and the premises were knocked down.
 "Why, mother" said the old man, "that gives us S1OOOO above all our debtsr'
 What name Is the deed to be made inT' asked the auctioneeT.
 Thomas Coggeshall."
 ''No, no" said the aIctoner impa- tiently; mot the last owner, the pres ent one"
 Thomas Coggeshall."
 The auctioneer looked up surprised.
 Make the deed to Thomas Cogge- ahall," said the purchaser.
 What does 1t meanT' asked the old woman of her husband. He did not re- ply. He was as much befogged as she.
 Come, hand in 10 per cent of the purchase money" shouted the auction eer, "and give me your name, or If you're going to back out say so right of, and I'll make the sale over."
 The stranger took out check book, drew a check for $2,OOO, signed It Thomas Coggeshall, Jr., and handed 1t to the auctoneer, who looked at 1t as much puzzled as ever.
 twill you please explain thls riddle| 1 asked the auctoneer.
 ''Yes, but to my father and mother"
 Approaching the old couple, he took them both in his arms with: Don't you knoV me, father? Don't you know me, mother? I'm Tommy. I've made money and got married and come back to find you. This Is Evelyn, my wife. She says I've heated you