The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-07-16

For work, yes" retorted Mrs
Jump.
Mrs. Jump was always busy, and
hated drones as she did reaches.
I'm going to the store" she said,
sharply. to her husband; III the gar.
bage man comes while I'm out ask
him what's he paid to break up PEG
Pies boxes what pays taxes to pay
him his wages?"
Leaving her husband to ponder owe.
this somewhat obscure commission.
Mrs. Jump departed with derogatory
sniff towards Mr.. Keckler. By the
time her buxom form was hidden in
Bressler's store the tailor shop door
opened and Burgunder came in. Mr..
Jump arose obsequiously. Burgun.
der owned a large secondhand fur.
n1ture business and was we'll of. He
was also a customer.
Il owe you ten dollars, Jump" he
said, you were to call for it on Sat.
urday. but I'll be away. SO I'll pay
you now"
Mr.. Jump wrote out receipt,
thanked him, and laid the note on
the table. He was wrestling with
| fierce temptation. Mrs. Jump, OF
course, would know nothing of the
payment of the money. She would
expect Jump to collect it on Saturday,
three days away. Suppose he bet this
money on Little Minch? 1t was an
edlct of fate that the horse must win
the race, hence there was no risk.
He could pocket the winnings, and
hold the ten dollars until Saturday.
'keckler," he almost whispered.
mat gentleman, preparatory to
leaving was adjusting his hat before
the glass.
"Keckler," called Jump, in a quaver.
Ing voice, and then, as a man might
act when keyed up to a desperate &C.
ton, he rushed to his visitor and
crammed the note into his hand.
Go, Keckler," he gasped. "go to the
pool room and bet this on Little
M1nch. Co." and he pushed the aston.
1shed Mr.. Keckler into the street.
Mr.. Jump climbed on his table and
then leaped off as if burned. What
had he done? Suppose? He rushed
to the door to call Keckler back, but
while that gentleman was yet in reach
or his voice, so, also, was Mrs. Jump,
returning from the store. He hastily
resumed his seat on the table and
wondered if his wife would hear how
his heart was beating.
Two hours later Mr.. Keckler strolled
calmly towards Mr.. Jumps shop. A
glance discovering that the proprietor
was alone, he entered and handed Mr.
Jump a card.
Its on" he said: II wish you luck"
AS the words left his lips the click
OF the kitchen knob gave evidence OF
the approach of Mrs. Jump. Without
looking at the card, Jump placed it
hastily within the order book that lay
on the table.
Here again?" remarked Mrs. Jump.
entering and addressing Mr.. Keckler.
Il thought 1 had left something"
responded Mr.. Keckler, abashed.
Il didn't suppose you had anything
to leave" retorted the matron, acidly.
Keckler darted off and Mrs. JUMP
sat down to sew. Her husband, on
the table, worked with suspense gnaw.
ing at his vitals. What if his wife
should open the order book and be-
hold the card? 1t was an unpleasant
two hours for Mr.. Jump while his
wife calmly sewed.
Boys began shouting the evening pa.
pers in the street. It was too early
for race news and Jump did not heed
the cries, but his wife bought copy.
Presently the clamor was "all the race
news" and Jump bought paper from
the first boy who poked his head in
the shop.
Didn't you see me buy one?" asked
Mrs. Jump, scornfully.
Thought there might be some late
news" replied Jump, timidly.
Cevertly he scanned the race col.
umn. The room seemed to whirl
around, the floor to upheave Little
Minch had been beaten. He was bad
third. In limp hopelessness sat Jump.
Under his eyelids he glanced at HE
wife. How portentous she looked.
11OW HUGH mOTe pOFIeutOdS WOul0 she
leok Saturday when he must confess
the use of the money.
Mrs. Jump arose to repair to the
kitchen and Jump snatched the ticket
out Of the book to destroy it. What,
six to one against Little Minch?"
The edds in the paper were seven to
i've. He scrutinized the card. The
name was not Little Minch," but
Little Minnie" Keckler had backed
the wrong horse.
He looked over the paper to see
how Keckler had made such an error.
Little Minnie had run at Latonia. and
God in heaven-she had won. The
money was his.
He snatched up his hat and tore out
Of the shop, leaving the door open.
It had been q timid, brow-beaten
Jump that had sat quarter of an
hour ago on the table. It was stiff.
spinsd, confident Jump that walked
back from the pool room with $50 -:
his own in his trousers pocket AMI
a. 49,. S111o, 1>sI1 -. ~.