Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-10-28
A
SHORT
LOAN

learned that he had been awarded a
ten-pound prize at the international
examinations, at which he had COM
peted a few months before. This came
quite Unexpectedly to him, because ne
had persuaded himself that he was
after making a woeful hotch of the
whole affair."" and at his home on the
edge of the big bog away beyond
Drumquilty, the result seemed even
more surprising, inasmuch as Jimmy's
cousin and fellow candidate, Jack Low
lor, who had been confident of haV-
ing done real grand" now proved to
have not even secured a pass-certifi-
cate.
The news reached Jimmy one wildly
wet morning, and all that day he
splashed to and fro among wind-ruffied
puddles in the gray gloomed thorough
fares of Loughkillen, with brilliant
visions dazzling his inward eye.
On the next Saturday, however, the
whole countryside basked serenely in
clear September sunshine, as he start
ed by rail for Drumquilty, treating
himself to the trip on the strength OF
his success. BY this time he actually
possessed his prize. Partly in one
pound notes and partly in silver, it
swelled a leather pouch, the bulk and
weight of which he found delightfully."-
perceptible in a safe pocket.
Never had he had a more agreeable
travelling companion. Not that his re-
joicing was selfish. In fact, forecast
Of the various good turns that he
would be able to do themselves at
home" had very large share in kind
ling his glow of gladness. Yet un-
doubtedly the brightest fame into
which scared up was the sense that
he could now carry out cherished
plan of his own.
This project was nothing less than
the taking of a quarters lessons in
typewriting and shorthand, thereby to
qualify himself for a situation prom
ised him at the new year, could he
ACQUIRE those accomplishments. 1t is
really splendid clerkship, with what
seemed to him unlimited prospects of
rising in the world About two pounds
would provide for the evening classes,
and he resolved to retain that much
of his prize. at any rate, for this end,
hardening his heart and stifiening his
backbone with the knowledge that in
such a post ne would be helper more
efficient than he could ever become In
his present hopeless drudgery.
But sure if them crathurs look the
ZENITH Of a standin' lep before them,
it's the most they'll do. They haven't
as much wit among them as 'ud keep
a frog hoppin' straight" he reflected
with tolerant candor.
His meditations engrossed him along
all the dozen miles of his railway jour-
ney. 1t was a new line, which for the
present stopped at Drumquilty, close
by the wide bog, where the passenger
seems to alight in painless region.
But Jimmy at once struck into that al
most imperceptible crease across the
brownish land which he knew would
bring him soonest to- the cluster of
cleaning white cabins. still hidden by
a fold of higher ground.
Just before they would begin to
beckon, he saw advancing toward him
his fathers sister, Margaret Ashe. Her
blue green plaid shawl and crimson
skirt, her black -browed gray eyes, and
hands busily twinklng the needles in
dangling heather colored sock were a
pleasant sight to him, since his aunt
and he were lifelong good friends.
He called the meeting a piece OF
luck, an opinion which he soon had to
recant in silence. For at the very be-
ginning of the interview she requested
him to oblige her with the loan of a
couple Of pounds.
This greatly surprised and discon-
certed Jimmy. Hitherto Mrs. Ashe had
always been a person of such proudly
independent habits that he had never
thought of including her among the
numerous probable claimants of a
share in his riches; he had indeed
counted on her support in resisting the
immoderate or irrational demands
which might probably be made upon
him.
And here she was asking of him,
without explanation or apology. con-
siderable part of his capital. That
must betoken some pressing trouble of
hers. an inference which admitted
anxiety from an unwOnted quarter.
OF course he promptly assured her
that she should have the sum and well
come. and handed over to her the two
notes. not without some pride and
pleasure in rendering the service, al
belt with no expectation Of ever seeing
his money again. She had spoken. 1t
is true. of a loan, but he quite under
stood that repayment might be looked
for at "one of those odd-come- short
lies" a date vaguer than sine die. He
had intended to seek her advice. made
valuable by her intimate acquaintance
with their family affairs. In view OF
this transaction, however, it appeared
indelicate to talk of financial matters
so he proceeded homeward with his
spirits slightly dashed.
Nevertheless, he thoroughly enjoyed
reioining in such happy circumstances
his own many headed domestic circle
enlarged by their Lawlor kinsfolk from
next door.
His Aunt Margaret had vanished
and his cousin Jack was out on the bog
with the terriers. not being magnani-
nous enough to face. dmmed with
failure. a comrade in the splendOrs OF
triumph. But Jacks mother was
alertly on the scene, and did not scru-
pie to comment freely on the ridiculous
result of the examination.
Her belief. substantially. was that
them examiners just joggled up the
numbers i'm a bag, and drew them out
anyhow" That "one person might as
aisy get a prize as another. fool or no