The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-06-09

Aunt Mary Davidson was farmers
widow, and she ran the farm with the
help Of hired man she had always
been given credit for being a sharp,
keen woman. People said that she
knew twice as much about business
as her husband. The husband was
industrious and Woodworking. but the
buying and selling were left to her.
When Aunt Mary found herself a
widow and entirely responsible for her
actions she determined to make money
little faster by speculation.
In due time Aunt Mary came across
the advertisement or the Blue jacket
silver mine.
The Blue jacket proposed to let a
| limited number Of people in on the
ground floor Aunt Mary was one Of
them. She sent for a free book"
/ and when 1t came the picture OF the
president of the mine was on the COW
err. He had the look of foxy swim
dler. but his vanity was stronger than
his prudence. Aunt Mary held her
breath for FIVE minutes over the star
Ting promises made In the book and
then sent on 500. When she received
her stock certificate 1t looked so nice
that she forwarded 5000 more OF her
cash. When all the fools in the coun-
try that could raise money had been
gathered in and the swindlers had
mnde fortunes the postal authorities
stepped In.
1t so happened that two or three Of
the swindled were after the president
OF the Blue jacket so closely that he
thought 1t better to 20 into the coun-
try for awhile than to take steamer to
Europe. which is the usual way. Aunt
Mary read of the affair in the papers.
She had been robbed OF her $780, 1t
hurt her TO lose the money. but II hurt
her to have been taken In and done
for. The worst OF the matter was
that she had advised others TO grab a
good thing. and, Of course. she would
be held responsible. She was gritting
her teeth and wishing she could get
her paws" on the rascals when
stranger knocked at her door. 1t was
a summer day II she took summer
boar1ers and If she had none at the
time he would like to come ior cou-
Die of weeks. He was business
man from the city whose nerves had
been shattered by too close applica- |
ton.
Aunt Mary took long look at the
man and invited him in. She took
another long look at him and made |
him low rate and added that he |
could depend on fresh eggs and un-
watered milk. At the dinner table she |
scanned his face for the first time. |
He said he was connected with a
Bible publishing house, but she didn't
quite believe him. After dinner Mr..
Coles, as the stranger called himself,
sauntered about. He inspected the
wagon shed. the barn and the milk
house and finally came 10 the smoke
house. As he was peeping in he was
given a push and the door slammed
and locked on him. 1t was Aunt Mary
who had done the business. When she
had her man fast she brought out a
chair and sat down by the door.
II want to know what this meansP
was shouted at her from inside.
why, you are locked in the smoke
house." was the reply
But what for?'
$50 that | can have talk with you.
If you wasn't locked In you might run
away as soon as began to say things.
And. too. want you where the con-
stable can find you when he arrives.
How does the Blue Jacket silver mine
come along these daysy she asked.
Il know nothing about 1t. told you
I was in the Bible line"
Have you got Bible ii the suit
case7"
NO"
you ought to carry one with you.
Are you still dealing in ground floor
silver stocksT
MY good woman, you are making a
terrible mistake and one that may
cost you every cent you are worth. In
the name of the law | demand that
you unlock this doorr'
"Shoo, now. but what q hurry you
are in. don't expect the constable
for an hour ret How much Doodle
did you get away with? Is'pose there'll
be reward offered for you. and In
that way I'll get my $500 back"
Look here, woman" said the man
inside. its as | have told you. You
are mistaking me for some one else.
Perhaps you are not TO blame, but
lon't carry things too far. | know
nothing OF your $500. but If you win
let me out I'll give you that much
money to go on. have important en-
What are Bibles selling at nowT
quietly asked Aunt Mary in reply.
The man began to yell for help and
lept 1t up for ten minutes. Then he
Jaw 1t was no use and hoarsely asked:
Woman, what do you want|
Il want my money back and $500 for
ny worry"
you shall have It."
II want $50 for the people around
iere who invested on my advice and
25 extra for each one"
You shall have it."
The strapping hired man was beckon-