The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-02-09

had been forced TO have recourse in the
preparations for the surprise of her grand
father on his birthnight.
Isn't it more like fairy's bower than
anything else? And you're the fairy,
gran'pa, that the bower has been decked
out for" And the child laughed and
clapped her hands and danced about the
room in the extremity of her glee.
1T must have cost"
20, never mind the cost"
She jumped from her seat and took
from the mantel tin money box, fash
Toned into the semblance of small but
convenient country habitation, down the
chimney of which she was in the habit of
pouring any small moneys that her grand
father, at rare intervals, might bestow
upon her.
That's the way part of the treat was
got. Mrs. Whirtle's son sent the other
goodies home to her, and so she thought
she would have her supper here with us.
When Mrs. Whirtle's son comes home he's
promised to bring something with him
we won't tell him what 1t is, though, will
we, Mrs. Whirtle ?-and then maybe you'll
find another treat in store for you"
Lord bless you, sir, she's been a-havin'
of this here upon her mind for this week
past" and something very like a good
round tear dropped into her appraised tea
cup, and was Immediately swallowed with
the refreshing draught. shes the sweet
est crtter."
And now, gran'pa, while you're shut
ting up the store" said Miriam, after
they had finished, well clear away"
Martin Grant, with the load half re
naming still on his mind as to the guilty
excess to which he had been partner, went
into the warehouse. AS he stepped forth
into the gloom, faint rafting at the
outer door met his ear. He went to it.
Looking down, little shivering figure met
his view. Conceiving it at once to be the
messenger of some wretched parents
wants, he went behind the counter with
a shrewd eye assusual to business. The
wretched little object stood wistfully re-
garding him, but gave no indication of
having anything she wished to pawn. In
surprise, he asked:
well, what is it, child?"
timid, low voice replied:
IF you please, sir, did not bring any
thing to pawn. We have got nothing left,
now"
way-what do you want of me, thenw
20, sir !" and she now burst into pas
sion of tears, II have been sent by poor
old grandfather to tell you-to tell you
that l am Nelly Grant,"
What, his daughters child-John
Grants daughter?"
70, yes, sir" sobbing.
Martin Grants countenance became
suddenly clouded.
Does he mean to besiege me In my own
house? Am l always to submit to this
annoyance? He would do well to cease
it, for l may at length be driven to de-
mand assistance of those whose duty 1t is
to rid the community of all such beggars
and impostors p
A demon at the moment certainly held
Martin Grant within his thrall, or he
could not thus have spoken in the hearing
of that appealing child. 1t possessed him
so powerfully and completely that he
walked hastily round from behind the
counter, as if he would have thrust that
fearful, pale and shivering form forth into
the street. But 10! an angel stood be-
tween, and face to face confronted the
foul spirit of i'll.
"Gran'pa!"
The demon recoiled.
Miriam, you here"
"Gran'pa p
"Unloose your arms from that creature
and retire at once into the roomW
"Gran'paw
will you do my bidding?"
The demon once again held rampant
sway.
Then begone from my threshold! Be
gone from beneath the roof which has too
long sheltered an migrate. Before my face
to side with such as these, and bite the
hand that cherishes! Monstrous ingrati-
tude But I'll not submit to it another
moment. Either unloose that child and
retire as l have hidden you, or else for
ever quit my house."
With flashing eye and a quivering LID
with heart swelling nigh to bursting;
with one arm twined closely around the
little outcast's neck; with a steady and
unfaltering footstep; with but one word
uttered, the child was gone.
The pawnbroker stood stunned for a
moment. Then he went into the little
back room. The store was closed and
locked. Save the embers of the dying
fire, there remained no light in the room
and save the bowling Of the wind no sound
to break the dead stiffness that reigned
around. A stiffness that might be felt.
A quiet that lay on him as he sat bending
over the fire, with heavy, smothering,
choking weight, and one which could not
be shaken off by the volition of his will.
Loud and sonorous was heard the ticking
OF the clock in the corner, and as 1t beat
back and forth, the pendulum became a
living tongue, and shouted menacingly in
his ear. And the never-ceasing burthen
rang clear and sharp In the solemn ST.
lence Peace on earth, good will towards
men " Never stopping for moment,
never hating to take breath: peace on
earth. good will towards men !" Louder
still, seeming almost to be shrieking 1t in
his terrified ear: peace on earth, good
will towards men!"
He arose and stopped the clock. Then
again seated himself, and bent once more
over the decaying fire. And the wind
came bowling mournfully down the chin
ney. And this, also. was gifted with
speech, and whispered forth for him alone
of all the jewellers in the great city around