The herald., 1911-10-26

ON THE GROUND
FLOOR
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1911. by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By M. QUAD

help of a 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 hardworking. 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
q 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 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
er. He had the look Of a 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 $500 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.
Ii so happened that two or three OF
the swindled 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 1t 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 gritttng
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
boarders and II she bad none at the
time he would like to come for q cou-
pie Of weeks. he was a 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 a 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 be was connected with
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 q 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
chair and sat down by the door.
II want to know what this means"
was shouted at her from inside.
why. you are locked in the smoke
house." was the reply.
But what for?"
so 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 days?" she asked.
81 know nothing about It l told you
| was In the Bible line"
Have you got Bible in the suit
caser
NO"
You ought to carry one with you
Are you still dealing in ground floor
silver stocks"
MY good woman, you are making
terrible mistake and one that may
cost you every cent you are worth. In
the name Of the law l demand that
you unlock this door,
"Shoo. now. but what a hurry you
are inI l don't expect the constable
for an hour yet. How much Doodle
did you get way with? Is'pose there'll
be a 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
don't carry things too far. know
nothing of your $500. but II you will
let me out I'll give you that much
money to go on. 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 he
saw 1t was no use and hoarSely asked:
woman. what do you wantT
81 want my money back and $500 for
my worry"
You shall have it"
IT want $50 for the people around
here who invested on my advice and
SIS extra for each one"
you shall have It"
The strapping hired man was beckon-
ed to come nearer. and when the
smokehouse door was opened he took
the Bible man by the collar and led
him to his bedroom and saw him count
n.,t thA o.. -