Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-07-20

upstairs without a word to her hus-
band. She had scarcely done so when
there was ring at the doorbell Mr..
Chiverly answered the summons, and
there stood man with an express
company's receipt book.
"Sign here, please. Seven dollars and
fifty cents"
The rector cast glance at wagon
standing by the curb and recognized
the boxes he had packed q month be-
fore.
"W-w-what's this| he stammered,
paling.
Goods returned, uncalled for
Mr.. Chiverly caught at the doorpost
for support. AS soon as he recovered
his voice he asked the man to wait a
minute and, staggering back into the
hall, called his wife,
"What is 1t?" she asked, aghast.
1.-THE bottles"
!! "What about them?"
They're at the door,"
"Oh,. my goodness gracious! What's
happened?"
Edward, not receiving any explana-
ton about them, probably refused to
receive them or pay for them"
Didn't you put on them who they
were from?"
mo"
why didn't your
II dare not. If they had fallen into
the wrong hands it would have been a
dead give away"
ooh, James, what shall we do?"
"There's nothing to do but pay all
charges-$7.50-and send them again."
1--WE can barely scrape enough money
together to pay the $780,"
We'll, then, pay it."
Mrs. Chiverly gathered all the money
in the house, even borrowing from her
sons savings bank, to make up the re-.
CURED amount. Mr.. Chiverly had
dollar bill in his vest pocket besides.
Taking it to the express driver he
bribed him to take the boxes to his
home, promising that they would be
called for the same night.
What are you going to do?" asked
his wife on his return to her.
I'm going tonight to take them and
dump them in the river
"You will do no such thing"
"Why not?'
Suppose any one should see you do
ing it."
Il shall be dressed as cartman."
'sThat won't help the matter. You
will be traced the same as if you were
seen trying to get rid of some one you
! had murdered"
I'm going to risk it. We can't stand
this business any longer. I'm going
to get rid of the bottles if 1 have to
swing for it,
1 Mr. Chiverly's blood was up. His
wife's efforts to dissuade him were in
vain. When night came he shaved off
his whiskers, appropriated suit of
old clothes intended for a poor man
he had befriended and started for the
house of the eXpressman. On the way
he tried to hire a wagon. but could
find no one who would trust him with
his team without going with him.
So he changed his mind and decided to
rely on the expressman.
See here my man" he said on reach
ing the house. II want you to go with
me and get rid of these cases. Have
you a box opener handy?"
The man brought the tools and open.
ed one of the boxes
You see." said the clergyman, what
they contain. Will you go with me to
the river to throw them in?''
There's no need to do that" replied
the man. "I'll get rid of them by
selling them"
DO So" cried Chiverly rapturously,
land pocket the proceeds"
"All right. You're sure there's nc
skulduddery about it?'
"None in the least. These bottles
were accumulated by other persons
than myself. simply wish to get rid
of them
"All right. III send you anything
there is over or above half the profits
less cartage.'
please don't" urged the rector i'm
ploringly.
The man consented. Mr. Chiverly
then wrung his hand gratefully and
fastened home. Once there he DOTTED
his old clothes, put on his nightgown
and went to bed
For weeks. indeed months never was
there ring at the rectory doorbell
but Mr. and Mrs. Chiverly started as
though they were expecting an arrest
for murder. And whenever cart was
was heard stopping before the door the
lady would peep through the blinds tt
assure herself that the bottles were no,
back again before answering the sum
mons.
However. in time the dread wore
away and the pair finally found com
fort. They remained in peaceful pos
session Of the rectory till Mr.. Chiverly
was made a bishop.
What an awful difference, dear"
said his wife, ut would have made
had the secret Of the empty liquor bot.
ties got out"