The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-10-05

TERMs: 81 ssae1Rs1 Months Xsa5 6 ia esass assan''
Blinkers domicile they knew the worst
had happened; and when the curtains
were drawn before the windows they
all went home to ponder upon the
brevity of this earthly journey.
Let us now pay visit to the "strick-
en- home." Here we find the doctor,
minister and "widow" seated about
the table partaking of cup of tea.
They were conversing il low tones.
eyes," said the Rev. Smykes, "I be-
lieve the deception is justifable in this
case. And we shall be prevaricators
only in appearances. Not one of us
have told anyone that Mr.. Blinkers
was sick. The fact that the doctor
and myself called here aroused the
gossips, and their own Imagination did
the rest. They have themselves to
blame chiefly. Anyway 1 have ac-
cepted call elsewhere, and intended to
leave shortly in any case."
"And am going to move also," said
the doctor, laughingly.
"And so shall we, when John re-
turns" said Mrs. Blinkers. "But first
there is the funeral to attend to-"
The coffin was brought TO the house
the next day. The loafers had
gathered around for news.
"The coffin will be shipped east"
said doctor Whelan, briefly. But be-
fore it is sent the parson is going to
speak. You are invited to come an
hear him this afternoon"
In the afternoon they were all there,
and the minister spoke as follows:
"It is scarcely necessary for me to
speak of the many virtues of the man
whom you mourn. To know him was
to love him and become his friend for
life. He was himself so kind and low
able that he impelled love and kind
ness within the breasts of all with
whom he came in contact. He
was generous and unselfish to q
fault. Yes friends, and it was this
very generosity that was his undoing.
He loaned and gave away his belong
ings until he and his good wife were
left destitute. Today this good woman
is pauper, by the unlimited generosi-
ty of the man who has gone away. I
ask you as friends and as men to return
at least part of the goods and money
you obtained from the one who has
gone from our midst. I ask you in the
name of all that is honorable, upright
and true to do justice to this unfortu-
nate lady,"
That was all. But it was enough.
They looked at each other guiltily.
Lunt Howe was the first to respond.
He returned a wheelbarrow, a lawn
mower, the aforementioned garden
rake and hoe, a spade, a coal-sh0vel,
tun of coal, three cords of wood and
forty-fve dollars in money. After
that things began to arrive faster than
Mrs. Blinkers could take care of them
and store them away. There were
overcoats, mackintoshes, umbrellas,
wheelbarrows, lawnmowers, paints and
brushes, screendoors and windows,
pocketknives, bushel baskets, hay, coal,
wood and sums of money ranging
. from fifty cents to fifty dollars. Some
of the articles had been gone from five
to six years, and were little the worse.
for wear.
Mrs. Blinkers announced that she
| nff ho orfi
l on the spot. The doctor acted as auc-
tioneer. The old rascals made a great
scramble to become possessed of some
of the things, and bid until their
. throats were sore. They would do the
: right thing by the widow, they avowed.
| Everything went, even an old hoe with
; broken handle went for thirty-five
J cents. And then Blinkers returned
q from the East. What? Blinkers there
! as big as life! Yes, it was indeed
a Blinkers, the same old Blinkers! They
collapsed Imply, and the awful truth
dawned upon them. Sold! Sold by
] the ingenuity Of a woman.
y They shOuldered their articles and
i went home, crestfallen bunch. Doc
tor Whelan and the reverend Smykes
: began to pack up. So did Mrs. Blink
. ers. Her husband was not slow to
: grasp the situation. He smiled ap-
d provingly at his ingenious helpmate.
n "What was the accident at home
: dear ?" she asked sweetly and Innocent
ly.
Q Accident, ratsp he blurted cut.
Q "Ned said that the family cat had been
q caught In trap door, and had died
/. before arrived. But I forgive you
dear" he added, as he glanced ct the
heap Of money on the parlor table.
Q .s:s.... EMERITUS.