Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-12-05

tnat 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
his 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 l. We
had been full nedged brass pound
ers," with fairly lucrative positions for
almost three months preceding the
third Christmas. We were burstingly
proud of our jobs-that's what we
called 'em-aud 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 its 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 a handle protruding from it's
left side-a handle not unlike that of
an old fashioned coffee mill.
But he sort of sni1les. 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-
ticulates frightfully with his walking
stick" replied Elsie. Il should be
afraid to get near enough to caress
him, and, besides, think he proposed
to me during brainstorm, and it
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
strolls about in his ancestral groves
the squirrels pursue him."
Dear me! How extraordinarily ex-
claimed literal Aunt Elise.
$50, you see," observed Elise, "after
all, had better marry Gilbert"
II think SO, too," 1 agreed. You
see, Aunt Elise, thanks to Uncle Am
brose, l can earn a 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 at?" de-
manded Aunt Elise in alarm. Now,
why do you stare like stuck pigs?" she
queried moment later, for Elsie and
l 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 a
message tapped by an unseen key, and
mechanically - no. automatically-our
| daZed minds caught the message.
ELSIE and Gilbert, my idle girl and
boy" ran the message. Patterson
has the money for you. Ask him for
it tonight. 1t is my Christmas gift to
you. Merry Christmas! God bless you
both! Goodbye
1.-The clock" l gurgled. IT'S in the
clock! Listenp For after an interval
of hoarse, clucklike ticks the message
was repeated.
Now, why are you making such a
fuss about that clock?" demanded
Aunt Elise. THAT clock never has
had a sane. natural tick. 1t has al
ways made noise just like that"
And this was true. Twice before we
had held our vigil in the workroom un-
needing, while the faithful clock had
patiently deliveredathe message which
we failed to comprehend.
There cannot possibly be a tele-
graph instrument in that clock" de-
clared Elsie, but there are little auto
matte transmitters with Morse alpha.
| oCI ieCoiuS iOi you hloW.
"Elsie," said after l had carefully
examined the vitals of that blessed
clock, you certainly are the original
Miss Nancy Know 1t All. There is an
automatic telegraph transmitter in
that clock. Here's the tape!"
Elsie eyed the coiled strip of paper
tape with it's perforations correspond
ing to the dots and dashes Of the Morse
alphabet with much interest.
Now for Patterson" l interrupted
"I'li wager that he has been chucklinl
in his sleeve these past three years
Pm going to call him up this instant
l hope that I'll get to rouse him from
his beauty Sleep" continued mali
ciously.
But in this | was disappointed. fol
he answered the phone promptly.
This is Gilbert Ashcraft speaking
I hapan with muph di0nitv "AIicS ElSi.