Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-02-17

II want to do something for you,
Mrs. Farwell," he said humbly.
IF you have not lost your vote
by being away" she began. j, -
II have not, unless you people have
made a criminal charge against me-"
said Luke. - '-,5t, ~
"That we have not done," assured
Mrs. Farwell. your vote will help my
husband" 49, a$- u -
"Then will go to the polling place
at once" said Luke.
He came back In about an hour.
Then he set at work cutting some
wood and cleaning up the yard. The
feelings of Mrs. Farwell began to
soften towards him. He seemed con-
trite and anxious to make amends for
his past misdeeds. At noon she got
him q lunch and he pottered around
at various odd Jobs until shutdown.
II have q little business with your
husband, Mrs. Farwell," said Luke,
land I'll wait till he comes home, If
you don't object" -.
mot at ALL" replied Lucy brightly,
but Ransom probably will not be
home very early, SO we will have our
supper now"
Lucy could not eat, she was SO anx-
ious to learn the result OF the cleo
ton. She sprang up from the table,
all excitement and suspense, as there
was q clatter Of horses hoofs In the
yard outside. She rushed to the door.
A CHEEKY whistle rang out.
ooh, that means good news!" she
cried hopefully. a>'' -
"Who got it," palpitated the eager
Lucy. 80 - .s -.
II am elected" announced her hus-
band proudly.
"Oh, am 50. glad!"
by one majority"
by one majority. repeated Lucy.
Eyes, a narrow shave for me, but
I'm in safe and sound"
He advanced to the table and
brought his hand down with a resound.
ing slap on Luke Barrett's shoulder.
+ And hero, Lucy" cried Ransom.
SIS the vote that carried the day for
me-" .,.,s $50
"Oh, it can't be true!" cried Luke,
tears OF Joy rising to his eyes.
e 1T is, Old fellow" declared Ransom
heartily. "s'hake!" you've squared all
the past, forgotten and forgiven, Luke
Barrett, this glorious day!"'
mot quite" dissented Luke; draw
ing something from his pocket. THAT
is yours" ~. 80 ~
In amazement Ransom and Lucy
stared at a little pocket book. 1t was
covered with dust. Its edges were
widowed. Its covers were rat-nib-
bled. - Fl AT.,ts'' = 49, r.
~ Why, exclaimed Ransom, inspect
ing its contents, "the whole eight
hundred dollars Is here! You didn't
spend any of it," ..4& -
II never took It away with me"
said Luke. II was dulled with drink
when broke into your house and
stole the money. In my dazed condi-
ton must have gone up into the barn
loft. ] went to sleep. In the night
wandered of. The next morning ten
miles from here, missed the money
and fancied had lost 1t along the
road. was ashamed to come back,
and Two led life of worry and star
walton. Yesterday, in the city, fun
bling in fob pocket, hoping to find
a stray dime to get bite to eat, l
tished out a pinch of hay seed. In
a flash seemed to vaguely recall
that night in the loft had put the
money under my head, thinking it
was a pillow. came back this morn.
ing and found It,. ! was desperate and
had about decided to make OFF with
it, when your kindness-the kindness
Of your dear: wife broke me all up.
and I'm a changed man. :"
:. Luke Barrett spoke Ransom Far.
well, grasping the hand Of his vel
come guest, there's an application
for an assistant IN the position have
been elected to. have faith in you,
and you are appoint ed. Let the three
of us start tout In: this new hopeful
lifetogether!" II .yi.ss} 4, 4 =
Copyright. 1914. by W. Chapman)
Is. .as