Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-12-20
ON THE THIRD CHRISTMAS
Continued from page 25.)

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
his last wishes Gilbert, dear, let US
learn teegraphy-not for the sake of
the money, but because he wished 1t.
because Of what we owe him."
And so we mastered telegraphy, FL
sic much more readily than |. We
had been full hedged 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-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 inner
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 despondent
If you don't find where the money
Is hidden tonight suppose we would
better plan for you to marry Percy
Gaines. Elsle,' she said as stepped
upon the table to wind the clock, or.
rather, crank" 1t, 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 snlfiles, and his socks
and neckties are so shrill," protested
Elsie, referring to Mr.. Gaines.
We'll. 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 frightfulby with his walking
stick" replied Elsie 81 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 a wee
bit daify?" she asked me.
Hes so nutty. Aunt Elise" SOL
emnly asseyerated, that when he
strolls about in his ancestral groves
the squirrels pursue him."
Dear me! How extraordnaryw ex.
claimed literal aunt Elise.
80 you see" observed Elise, after
all, had better marry Gilbert"
81 think So too, | agreed. "You
see, Aunt Elise, thanks to Uncle Am
brose can earn living for my
Here ! broke OF abruptly and stared
astounded, ut that extraordinary clock
Elsie, with her dear little jaw sagging
In sheer amn2ement. was staring too.
What are You two gaping ut?" de
mandcd Aunt Lliae in alarm Nov,
why do you stare like stuck pigs?" she
queried moment later for Elsie and
| sat MS If spclbound listening,
We found ourselves listening to the
now familiar staccato-tapplng OF
telegraph instrument. Clear and sharp
through the Invisible sOunder came q
message tapped by an unseen key, and
mechanically no. automatically
dn2ed minds caught the message.
Elsie and Gilbert my idle girl and
boy ran the message, Patterson
has the money for YOU Ask him for
II tonight II is my Christmas gift to
You. Merry ChrlstmasI God bless you
both, Goodbye
"The clock" ! gurgled. Its in the
clock' Listen" For after an interval
Of hoarsc clucklike ticks the message
wns renNntad
Now why are you making such
fuss about that clock 2" demanded
Aunt Elise. That clock never has
had Il sane, natural tick It has al
ways made a noise Just like that"
Aud this was true Twice before we
had held our vigil In the workroom I'M
needing, while the faithful clock had
patiently delivered the 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 transmltters with Morse alpha
bet records for students. you know"
Elsie" | said after | had carefully
examined the vltals OF that blessed
clock you certainly are the original
Miss Nancy Know It All, There is an
automatic telegraph transmitter in
that clock, Here's the taper
Elsie eyed the colled strip OF paper
tape with It's perforatlons correspond.
Ing TO the dots and dashes OF the Morse
alphabet with much interest.
Now for Patterson" | interrupted.
"Tll wager that he hns been chuckllng
In bis sleeve these past three years.
I'm going to call him up this instant,
! hope that III get to rouse him from
his beauty sleep" | continued mali
clously
But In this | was disappointed. for
he answered the phone promptly.
This Is Gilbert Ashcmft speaking"
| began wiG much dignity "Mlss Elsie
Martin and ! would like definite infor.
nation concerning the money be.
qucuthed us by Ambrose Breen. which
hn laft la vntr ,nr,