Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-02-06

off a table. 1t was early-nobody was
out yet. You were alone, Minnie, or
no." she said suddenly, you were not
alone. Minnie, who was in the pan
try?"
What has that to do with it?"
managed, with my feet as cold as
stone.
She got up and buttoned her sweat
er.
Don't trouble to lie," she said. 81
can see through a stone wall as well
as most people. Whoever got those
letters thought they were stealing
mine, and there are only two people
who would try to steal my letters;
one is Dick Carter, and the other is
his brother-in-law. 1t wasn't Sam in
the pantry-he came in just after with
his little snip of WIFE"
"Well?" l managed.
But she was smiling again, not so
pleasantly.
81 might have known it!" she said.
What a fool I've been, Minnie, and
how clever you are under that red
as long as l am here, and Pierce takes
his place, and help to keep the secret
and to play the game! Well, can ap-
preciate joke on myself as we'll as
most people, but-Minnie, Minnie,
think of that guilty wretch of Dicky
Carter shaking in the pantry!"
81 don't know what you are talking
about" l said, but she only winked and
went to the door.
Don't take it too much to heart"
she advised. TOO much loyalty is a
vice, not virtue. And another piece
of advice, Minnie-when / find Dicly
Carter, stand from under; something
will fall"
They had charades during the rest
hour that afternoon, the overweights
headed by the bishop, against the un-
derweights headed by Mr.. Moody. They
selected their words from one of Hor-
ace F'letcher's books, and as Mr.. Pierce
wasn't either over or underweight,
they asked him to be referee.
Oh, they were crazy about him by
that time. 1t was "Mr. Carter" here
and dear Mr.. Carter" there, with the
women knitting him neckties and the
men coming up to be bullied and ask
ing for more. And he kept the upper
hand, too, once he got 1t.
But il Mr.. Pierce was making q hit
with the guests, he wasn't so popular
with the Van Alstynes or the Carriers.
The night the cigar stand was closed
Mr.. Sam came to ne and leaned over
the counter.
Put the key in drawer" he said.
II can slip down here after the lights
are out and get smoke"
Cant do 1t, Mr.. Van Alstyne,"
said. Got positive orders"
THAT doesn't include me-" He was
still perfectly good-humored.
Sorry" said. Have to have a
written order from Mr.. Pierce"
He put silver dollar on the desk
between us and looked at me over it.
will that open the case?" he asked
But shook my head.
well, I'll be hanged! What the
devil sort of order did he give you?"
HE said" l repeated, that I'd be
coaxed and probably bribed to open
the cigar case, and that you'd prob
ably be the first one to do 1t, but
was to stick firm; you've been smok
ing too much, and your nerves are go
ing"
''Insolent young puppy!" he ex
claimed angrily, and stamped away.
So that was not surprised when
on that night, Friday, was told to
be at the shelter-house at ten O'Clock
for protest meeting Mrs. Sam told
me.
Something has to be done," she
said. II don't intend to stand much
more. Nobody has the right to say
when shall eat or what If want te
eat fried shoe leather, that's my af
fair"
We met at ten O'Clock at the shelter
house. everybody having gone to bet
Miss Patty, the Van Alstynes ant
myself. The Dickys were on goot
terms again, for wonder, and wher
we went in they were in front of the
fire, she on box and he at her feet
with his head buried in her lap. He
Oluu even lOOh up WHSH we entered.
They're here, Dicky." she said.
"All right" he answered in smoth
cred voice. How many of 'em?"
-Four" she said, and kissed the tiI
Of his ear
for goodness sake. Dick!" Mrs
Sam snapped in disgusted tone
stop that spooning and get us some
thing to sit on"
Help yourself" he replied, stir
from his wife's lap, "and don't be
Jealous. sis. If the sight of married
happiness upsets you. go away. &c
away, anyhow"
MT. Sam came over and jerked him
into sitting position. Either you'll
sit up and take part in this discus
sion," he said angrily. cor you'll &c
out in the snow until it's over"
Mr.. Dick leaned over and kissed his
wife's hand.
"a cruel fate is separating u.s." he
explained, but try to endure 1t until
] return III be on the other side OF