The Palatka news and advertiser., 1913-12-26

believe Uncle Gilbert had any money
to leave. think he had lost 1t and
that was why he was so worried to
think that we were not fitted to sup
port ourselves. We disobeyed and dis
appointed him in life. Now let us
atone as far as we may by obeying
bis last wishes. Gilbert, dear, let us
learn telegraphy-not for the sake of
the money, but because he wished it,
because of what we owe him."
And so we mastered telegraphy. FL
sic much more readily than |. We
had been full fedged "brass pound
ers," with fairly lucrative positions for
almost three months preceding the
third Christmas. We were burstingly
proud of our jobs-thnt's what we
called 'em-and we felt that our dear
old guardian had, in forcing upon us
the gift of independence. bestowed up
on us treasure of greater value than
the legacy for which we had hoped.
So with no further expectations or
hopes concerning the hidden inher--
itance and with cheerful resignation
to it's loss we met In loving compli-
ance with his request for our third
and last vigil in his workroom, with
his many inventions, which Aunt Elise
kept carefully covered, looking like
,shrouded ghosts.
Aunt Elise alone of the trio seemed
gloomy and respondent.
'If you don't find where the money
is hidden tonight ! suppose we would
better plan for you to marry Percy
Gaines, Elsie" she said as | stepped
upon the table to wind the clock. or.
rather. crank" it, for its mechanism
was set going by giving some dozen
turns to handle protruding from its
left side-a handle not unlike that of
an old fashioned coffee mill
"But he sort Of sniffles, and his socks
and neckties are so shrill," protested
Elsie. referring to Mr.. Gaines.
well, then, there's old Mr.. Binney,"
suggested Aunt Elise. i've noticed
that he is quite neutral in his dress"
"But he talks to himself and ges-
stick" replied Elsie. Il should be
afraid to get near enough to caress
him, and, besides, think he proposed
to me during a. brainstorm, and 1t
would be taking an unfair advantage
to accept. Don't you think him wee
bit daffy?" she asked me.
Hes so nutty, Aunt Elise" | SOL
emnly asseverated, that when he
strols about in his ancestral groves
the squirrels pursue him."
Dear ME! How extraordinaryT' ex-
claimed literal Aunt Elise.
so, you see" observed Elise, "after
all, had better marry Gilbert"
Il think 50. too" l agreed. You
see, Aunt Elise, thanks to Uncle Am
brose, can earn living for my
Here broke off abruptly and stared.
astounded, at that extraordinary clock
Elsie. with her dear little jaw sagging
in sheer amazement, was staring too.
what are you two gaping at2' de-
manded Aunt Elise in alarm. Now,
why do you stare like stuck pigs?" she
queried moment later, for Elsie and
sat as If spellbound listening.
We found ourselves listening to the
now familiar staccato-tapping of a
telegraph instrument Clear and sharp
through the invisible sounder came
message tapped by an unseen key, and
mechanically = no. acknowledgment
dazed minds caught the message. "
Elsie and Gilbert, my Idle girl and
boy ran the message. "Pl9terson
has the a.y for you. Ask MIN for.
y $, is my Christmas gift to
ou. hristmasl God bless yop
both! Go6dbyr' n
THE clockT l gurgled. Its in The
clock! Llstenw For after an interval
Of hoarse. clucklike ticks the message
was repeated.
"Now, why are you making such a
fuss about that clockf" demanded
Aunt Elise. ''That clock never has
had sane. natural tick. It has al
ways made a noise just Ike that"
And this was true. Twice before we
had held our vigil in the workroom un-
needing. while the faithful clock had
patiently delivered the message which
we failed to comprehend
There cannot possibly be tele,
graph instrument I'm that clock" de-
clared Elsie. 'but there are little auto
matte. transmitters with Morse alpha
bet records for students. you know"
Elsie" said after ! had careful
examined the vitals Of that blesse
clocz you certainly are the origin,
Miss Nancy Know 1t All. There is
automatic telegraph trsnsnJ't-,-
that clock. Here's the