Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-25

lost for the present. at least. He took a
squint at the Nestering sun and called Miss
Bobbin's attention to 1t as she came out.
There amt; no use, Miss Bobbin." he
said. If we're goin to pay that money
over in time to save him we've got to pay
it now" 81
"All right, ''Tsaid sBetsey Bobbin We'll
have it all done and surprise him with 1t
when he comes home
'Tll run into the tavern and see If Jake s
in there" said Bull. and he suited the ac-
ton to the word
Said he went along home about FIVE
minutes ago. aheSa announced as he returned
to her. g
Then he and Miss Bobbin proceeded tow
ard the lawyers house. On the way they
passed the residence of the Rev. Hamilton
Frye. and found that gentleman just issu-
ing from his front gate.
"S'pose we ask him to go along with us,
said Betsey.
Thus the reverend gentleman was for a
second time destined to witness and take
part in the humiliation of the candidate
for the opposition. On the way to the Mus
ser house the situation was outlined to him
under the seal of confidence, and his joy
was great.
Musser. astonished beyond measure. came
to the front door himself in answer to their
summons. He was almost overpowered
Had the minister and Bull been alone he
would probably have refused to talk to
them, for they had proved on that day OF
the cld1n-QlRSlHg match t0dt lHey were Ilol
his true admirers. But Miss Bobbin! 1t
was a puzzling situation, and the only way
to meet it was to ask them to step in.
1t was the first time that any of them
had ever been in Musser's house, and they
looked around at the somewhat bare in
terror with a good deal of curiosity. There
was an odor of stale tobacco smoke and
spirits about ii which was offensive to Miss
Bobbin's nostrls and she noticeably shifted
Musser smiled uneasily The call was most
mysterious, but he was anxious now, as
ever. to make a good impression on the lit
tie dressmaker. There was the memory or
her eyes at the baby show to spur him on.
Not much like home presided over by
lady, is it. Miss Bobhin?' he said. But
poor bachelors must get along as best
we can. you know"
'Humph." said Betsey Bobbn. and looked
about with disapproval at the litter on the
table.
Wont you all sit DOWN." said Musser.
1t occurred to him at this moment that
they might have seen the Express and
guessed at his connection with the Cooper
story which he knew was printed in 1t. al
though he had not yet seen a copy. II so
their call was doubtless hostile. and for
moment this confused him. but he remem-
bered that the press had not been started
as he passed the office. fifteen minutes be-
fore, and he did not believe that the papers
had yet been circulated. This reflection re
assured him. They seated themselves
rather awkwardly.
There seemed to be a general hesitancy
about stating the object of the call, and he
finally asked Miss Bobbin if there was any
thing especial which he could do for her.
He ignored the two men as far as possible.
She looked up at him smilingly.
Yes she said, somewhat CURLY. you've
got some mortgages or somethfn against
Jack Selkirk's paper, amt you?
Musser was completely taken aback. For
an instant he could scarcely reply, but
merely looked from one to the other in sur
prise.
"why-why yes, I have he said, finally.
We'll" said she, I've come here for
him to pay 'em Off"
If she had said that she had come to blow
away the top of his head with beam
shooter Musser would not have been more
astonished.
'But-but" he stammered.
There amt no butts Mr.. Musser,' she
said, briskly. "You jest fork out them pa
pers and I'll hand you the cash-principal
and Interest,"
But the debt is Mr. selkirk's' said
Musser, weakly.
"Im actin for Mr.. selkirk,' said Betsey,
in businesslike way.
yes" said the parson, in somewhat
sepulchral tone. I'VE all are.''
"But-but I'm afraid began Musser
There amt nothin' to be afraid of,
said Betsey, soothingly. 1--WE amt agoJn'
to bite you We've got the cash right here
and now and all you've got to do is take
it, and everybodyll be satisfied
Still Musser hesftated. He was trying to
collect his wits to meet this extraordinary
and unexpected situation. Sam Bull be-
came impatient
I'm afraid" he said, that we're keepn'
you from your supper. Mr.. Musser. l know
mines waitin'. Let's git the thing attended
to. so's't we can all eat"
you amt afraid that we amt got the
money be you?" asked Betsey Bobbn.
ooh no." said he. "Only, you see, it's
SO very unusual for the principals not TO
be both present on such an occasion as this.
IL"
at isn't necessary for Mr. Selkirk to pay
you the money with his own hands, rs it,
sir?" asked the clergyman severely.
He found that it was impossible for him
to pleasantly modulate his voice when
dealing with this man, whom he knew to
be dishonest.
THAT would be very much more in the
regular order of things" said Musser.
'sWell, I'm afraid that you'll have to take
it out of the regular order from a plain
cid maid like me- said Betsey Bobbin. IF
I was askin' you to pay me money for him
then I wouldn't blame you mite, for like
enough l amt too honest but"
Musser protested.
Come. come Jake" said Sam Bull. II
reckon I know about how you feel Fox
when the chickens jest been grabbed clean
out from between his drippin jaws!
know! I knew a critter like that to hang
himself in front of the hen house once, but
don't hang yourself, Jake. We can't spare
you yeti Jest pass the papers over. You
hate like thunder to have that debt paid
after all the trouble you took to git hold of
it SOS you could play dirty trick, don't
you? l know, I'm sorry, but it can't be
helped. I'm afraid we've got your
Musser knew they had.
Probably no creditor ever received money
with worse grace than he did that which
they proffered him then-principal and in
terest as Miss Bobbin at intervals insist
ed-but he received it, and they left him
with the evidence that Jack Selkirk's debt
had been Cancelled, tucked tight in Sam
Bulls pocket.
Il wish one of you men had a rope with
you" said Betsey as they went down the
puncheons to the gate.
''Why?' asked the parson solemnly.
He was bordering on the moral turpitude
of the man whom they had just left, and
he found it a melancholy subject for
thought.
Il don't know which I'd want to do with
it, said Betsey, skip it or go back and
hang Jack Musser with it. But I do wish
l had a rope!
And then and there, without regard to
who might be passing upon the street or
what they might think of her If they saw
her. she leaned back against Jacob Mus
ser's fence and laughed even asSshe would
have laughed had she been in her house
dress. and had she had an apron to throw
over her head.