Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-07-05
ON THE GROUND
FLOOR
By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1911, by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By M. QUAD

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
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 of the Blue Jacket
silver mine.
The Blue Jacket proposed to let
limited number of people in on the
ground floor. Aunt Mary was one of
them. She sent for a free book"
and when it came the picture Of the
president of the mine was on the Gov
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
thing promises made in the book and
then sent on 500. When she received
her stock certificate it 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
made fortunes the postal authorities
stepped in.
1t so happened that two or three Of
the swinded were after the president
of the Blue Jacket so closely that he
thought it better to go 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 $500. 1t
hurt her to lose the money. but it hurt
her to have been taken in and done
for. The worst of the matter was
that she had advised others to grab
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 a
stranger knocked at her door. 1t was
a summer day. If she took summer
boarders and if she had none at the
time he would like to come for a cou-
pie of weeks. He was business
man from the city whose nerves had
been shattered by too close applica
ton.
Aunt Mary took a long look at the
man and invited him in. She took
another long look at him and made
could depend on fresh eggs and I'M
watered milk. At the dinner table she
scanned his face for the first time.
He said be was connected with q
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 to 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.
Il want to know what this means?"
was shouted 1T her from inside.
Why, you are locked in the smoke
house" was the reply.
But what for?"
$50 that | can have a 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 days." she asked,
Il know nothing about it. | to d you
was in the Bible line
Have you got a Bible in the suit
case?"
NO"
You ought to carry one with you.
Are you still dealing in ground floor
silver StOcks?''
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 door,
"Shoo. now. but what a hurry you
are in! l don't expect the constable
; for an hour yet. How much Doodle
. did you get away with? s'pose there'll
: be reward offered for you. and i'll
that way FL 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
don't carry things too far | know
!. nothing of your $500. but if you will
. let me out I'll give you that much
!. money to go on. l have important en-
gagements."
. What are Bibles selling at now?'
: quietly asked Aunt Mary in reply.
The man began to yell for help and
kept it up for ten minutes. Then be
. saw it was no use and hoarsely asked
Woman, what do you want|'
Il want my money back and $500 fol
. my worry
You shall have it,
!: II want $50 for the people around
! here who invested on my advice anC
Z SIS extra for each one"
+ tYou shall have If ~