The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-08-04

that was all there was for supper and
not another bite in the house."
But I'm not at all hungry" insisted
her husband. IF | was. that poor fell
lows enjoyment Of the meal would
make me glad to deny myself"
and putting him in the old garnet
where grandfather used TO sleep-not
invaded for years, It's a sort OF sacri-
lege."
Nonsense, Nellie." returned Mr..
Valentine. 1.-The old bed is ready TO
fall down. Don't worry, dear. Badly
off as we are. it's nothing TO the fix
that poor outcast is in"
They were indeed bad of. The
past year had been a struggle for them.
Things had gone from bad TO worse.
The old house they had been left by
Grandfather Ellis was m0rtgaged TO
the limit. John had lost his position
In the town. Their credit was exhaust
ed, the last cent gone. Unless John
found work they were absolute pau
pers.
They sat thinking over this for some
time in dead silence. They were
startled as the door leading to the attic
was opened. The tramp faced them.
IL did not stop to think" he said
humbly, "but I'm subject to night
mares. Sometimes l hOller out like
mad, sometimes cavort around like a
| jumping jack"
Don't let that worry you, friend,
directed John. "We're not sleeping any
| too good ourselves, these days"
THAT is true!" sighed Nellie sadly.
Mr.. Valentine came up to his wife
and kissed her fondly. Then they went
over their prospects and plans. The
| first was dubious, the latter vague, but
there was the home village where Mel.
| lie had lived TO go back TO new start
in life, much as it hurt the pride of
John.
| His courageous spirit buoyed Nellie
up. She smiled through her tears.
There may be showers of blessings
in store for us yet" she said brightly.
"Oh, John y
In dismay she shrank back and in
alarm John drew her TO one side to
evade a real shower of splinters and
plaster.
Evidently their tramp visitant had
one of his nightmares. There was O
vast commotion overhead. A body
seemed to bound from the bed with a
yell. The rotted floor Of the attic
gave way. Down came plaster, laths
and, following, II bag, another, third
The fabric that composed them
burst as the bags struck the table
Gold-gold-gold!
Eagles and double eagles chinked,
spun and rolled on the floor. Coins,
yellow. cleaning, pirouetted, rolled,
flooded the rug carpet-hundreds of
them.
Someone came hurrying down the
rickety stairs. The tramp protruded
an apologize face beyond the door
way.
Don't be scared" he spoke with hu.
mlllty. ats only one Of my night
mares. / broke through-thunder! !"
He stared at the scattered gold, and
John and Nellie stared, too.
"Oh, can't you underestimate cried
the quick-witted Nellie, but John only
silently shook his head.
"Grandfather Ellis, of course ~ pro-
nounced Nellie excitedly.
you mean he hid his goldf"
Between the floors declared Mel
lie. Don't you remember how he
used TO hint at rich reward for those
who cared for him In his declining
years? And when he died he tried 10
tell us something that was on his mind.
oh, John, we won't have TO leave the
old home now!"
The tramp stood taking ia the scene
understandingly.
Boss" he spoke at Inst "if I've
brought you good luck I'm the happiest
man In the world |"
He had, indeed and he shared the
glad fortune by giving up "the road
and settling down ms II loyal, faithful
helper about the place TO which his
fortunate nightmare had brought JOY
and plenty.