Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-05-31
THE FORGOTTEN BAG.

adolphiA Record.
THE FORGOTTEN BAG.
rs It really as bad as that, faith
cry! asked Mrs. Pettingill, glancing
tsnderly across the room to where her
husband sat disconsolately, his head
resting heavily on one huge, brown
hand.
Yes" he answered, the old farm
must 60. I've tried to ward of the
blow" he continued. but it's no use.
Squire Parsons has said once for all
that the mortgage will be foreclosed
two weeks from Saturday. II DOT paid
By then. Three thousand dollars," he
added YEARLY. three thousand dol.
lars, when l haven't fifty"
"oh. If Grandma Pettingin had
only lived long enough to tell US
where she put the money!" exclaimed
his wife. She had always promised
1t to you. but goodness knows where
tbs now! And where shall we go
whom the mortgage Is foreclosed?"
she added hopelessly.
Before her husband could reply
there came sound of hurrying foot
steps, and their twelve-year-old daugh-
tor Eunice came running into the
room.
oh, mammal" she cried eagerly,
not noticing the sober faces OF her
parents. Miss Alice is going to help
US girls make dolls clothes, aad may
please go up in the garnet and get
some pieces out Of the old hair trunk?
Please. mamma, please"
Yea, dear" answered her mother.
Take what you want. They'll never
do me any more good" she added bit.
terly. ~ the child left the room.
Let her be happy as long as she
can; 1t won't be long she can be-"
replied her husband.
Meanwhile Eunice ran lightly up
the attic stairs, closely followed by
her pet kitten.
What, you here!" she exclaimed.
STOPPING to drag the little trunk out
from under the caves. and seeing the
kitten grayely surveying her. We'll.
you may stay here, but don't &c,
lost"
When she had rummased to her
hearts content among the boxes,
bags and trunks with which the gar.
ret was filled. she gathered up her as
sortment of pieces and turned to go
downstairs, but Tige was nowhere to
be seen.
"Kitty-kitty-kitty." called Eunlce.
her voice echoing through the large,
silent room. Where are you?" A
prolonged "me-eaow" came from un-
der the caves which divided the old.
unfinished part Of the attic from the
new. A little gray head appeared
for moment. only to disappear again.
"Oh. dear!" said Eunice, now
spose Ill have to chase Tige, and it's
so dark In there. too"
1t was growing dark rapidly, and
the big gloomy attic was not a pleas
ant place to be alone in after dark.
But she bravely crept under the caves
Into the old attic. Come. kitty"
she called, glancing nervously around
the great, pare room.
"On. there you are. way over in
that dark corner!" she exclaimed,
feeling her way cautiously along the
beams. Now I've got you." she cried,
selling the furry gray bundle and
smuggling 1t close in her arms. why.
what were you playing WITH" she ex-
claimed as she stopped to pick up
from the dusty floor a large. old.fash-
Toned bag Of rusty, black leather.
Why. mamma never keeps any
thing up here!" she said to herself.
And here's book. too! How funny.
wonder whore on earth they came
from; guess I'll take 'em downstairs
with me-" So tucklng them carefully
under her arm she crept back into the
garrett. and. gathering up her pieces
again. sped hastily down the narrow
stairway.
"Supper's ready" called Mother
Pettingill. as Eunice gained her own
room and deposited the kitten upon
her bed. where 1t continued to purr
contentedly. III wait till tomorrow
before L look at the things" she de-
cided. tucking them carefully under
the bed. And tomorrow my doll'll
have new Dress"
But tomorrow passed and the next
day. and the next, and never thought
did Eunice bestow upon the book and
bag which still lay snugly hidden on
the floor beneath her bed.
At last when the dreadful day was
near at hand and the sad news had
been broken to poor little Eunice. she
flung herself on her little bed, cry
ing passionately. In one short week
she would be homeless, and she loved
the old home so.
At last when the tempest had spent
itself, Eunice thought suddenly of the
black bag. Sitting down on the floor
she CROPPED beneath the bed until
her fingers closed upon something
hard, and she drew forth the little
book and Jag. On the crumpled, vel.
low ay-leaf Of the book, stained with
age. she read her own name-Eunice
Pettingill.
why. 1t must have been grand
ma's!" she cried, excitedly. and she
sped down the old front stairway,
crying: Daddy! Mother! See what
I've found. 1t was up in the garrett:
1t must have been grandma's."
Mothers old reticule!" exclaimed
the farmer. dazedly, and her diary.
too. Come here. Anna; it's the bag.
the very bag, in which she kept the
bonds"
Let's open the bag FIRST daddy"
pleaded Eunice. dancing excitedly