Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 3, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 17 July 1875 — Page 2

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lad ever while hands and gaaed com. upon it with swimming m, if ft were the one bright iprt that he had •might for weary /ears, and found at last to worship.

Kr, Denaon wftched UNM singular matitfnrttfit'"rr-, *1 blank amassment and as the nods and sthlles oontinued, his perplexity increased. At length, he made up his mind that the man was Insane but upon fturther reflection, reeoh ed the oowuaston that tbo demonstrations were only a part of a deep Md «A to entrap him for he knew, rtrh»p as well as anyone, that the mine was not of a character to liuptre the liveliest admiration. Iudfeed he would have been miserable, had he known such to be the csee lor be bad always been eonststentty ostentatious in his contempt fbrbenuty of any kind.

The dwelling waa a one-story, doublelog bouse with a clapboard addition of one room in the rear. Twenty- steps in front of it, ran the rotten worm fence, and five behind, the tall rows of ripening corn and beans. Not a tree nor shrub within three hundred yards not a blade of honest grass, nor comely flower, nor creeping vine of any land nor the least effort' at adornment anywhere. The wretched yard waa overgrown and rank with flaunting burdock, Singled cuokle-burs, and sickly-smell-Ingjimson-weed. A dosen gaunt and mangy long-nosed hogs of the species known in Hoosierdom as "haxel splitten," wrangled before the crasy onehinged gate, and made the twilight hld008 with their noise. «#Mr. Kinmsn waited. "Slowly the sunshine ffcded from the crimson clouds. Solemn, dusky shadows gathered in the woods, and crept stealthily up the lane. A lurking breexe arose and gliding like a ghost serosa the tope ot the stinking, despised dogfennel, hid itself again among the trembling poke-bushes in the fence corners. There was something oppressive in the treacherous stillness of the gathering

iloem

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a something vegue and unde-

ned, but dreadful. Even the lusty iron-weeds seemed to hold their breath and listen while very common things began to wear a dim, urioertaln look, that made one shudder at- the thought of walking past them. Tbe necessary diplomacy might entail a vast amount ofaecelt and some very ingenious lying but Mr. Kinman made upnis mind that he was going to stay all night.

l-\

"SPRIKKUNO SAW.

^Discovering no indications on the part of the atranger ef any disposition ever to leave, and becoming somewhat apprehensive regarding bis own personal safety if he remained where he was till it got tbe least bit darker, Mr. Denson took one last, anxloua peep, and came out of the stable. At tbe same time, Mr. Kinman descended from the fence— on tbe inside—and inquired if he had the pleasure of speaking to Mr.— Mr.—

14Denson?"

HMU

Come an'what?" said Mr. Denson, sternly disdaining the proffered hand. Cuuiingore, my dear sir Cuuiincore Kinman 1 Given name—you unaerstand. (I. Cummingore Kinman. I—"

Peddlin?" waa the unexpected interruption. "Peddling? Oh,no! No I'm not a

fdo

~'vs- 4*» 4.'^

iddler, lla, ha! very good! Suppose look souiothing lute a peddler with this paokage under my arm. No!, You see I was recommended to stop and see you by a friend of yours in Clay Cut name of—" "Oh! Runnln' fer ofils,I s'posel!'

How is that, sir?" Yerroun' 'lectionyorrin', haint ye?" No. no! Nothing of tbe kind! You are quite mistaken, I assure you. I am a gentleman of somo means traveling ontiroly for pleasure. True, I do a little stroke of business now and then in tho way of—"

A-haf An inshorance agentI" oxolaimed Mr. Denson with withering emphasis, and an air of having probed the disgraceful mystery at last and found it for more lnfemous than he had at first supposed. beg your pardon, bnt you're wrong again, my dear fellow. I

Well!—yera'mosttoo frion'ly anyways snarled Mr. Denson and started towards the house.

Mr. Kinman was getting ruffled. Mon in his way of life are not unused to rebuff, but this fellow's insolence was peculiarly exasperating. Being despor* ate, however, he made another dash.

Mr. Denson, I want to stay all night with you: It's getting late ana——" well I halut a-runnin' a hotel!"

It was very evident that the conciliatory policy would be a failure.

111am

aware of that air but yoa can

let me stay all night." I'd do it, ef It warn't fer one thing." And that Is?" «I'd see ye In hfll fustl"

Mr. Kinman started. An Immediate change of taciioa was urgently necessary. There was no time for reflection he determined to try "bluft"

Here! 8*opr he cried sternly, Mr. Denson was again mtring off. "Do mu know that von are an ignorant Impertinent scoundrel Yoa think I want to tars night's lodging of you! What do you take me for? lam a rioh man not a beggan I dont want to anything" off of yon* I witling, to nay you munliioenUy for the paltry privilege of stopping till morning ia your miserable old ahanty Of a house. I havent asked yon the price, nor do I oare what it charge what you plsaae! You're not in the habit of throwing •way money should think* hat if Von get any of mine, Pve got to tetnwd half way white—not Uke a dog! I don't care for a little expense. loan alfovd it. A ten dollar Mil is no more to me than one of those Jltnaon leaves!" And taking impetuously from his tost pocket a "patcntmodicino"

hling a greenback of the denomination named,he tore it into ia&nliesimally •mail pieces before Mr. Demon's as palled eyos, and threw the fragments oontemptuously away.

That gentleman waa thunderstruck— amaasd—dumbfounded, in foot no oombiitatton of wards, y*t Invented, would adequately describe his consternation. Ilia flue during the tirade had aarnmed a livid paleness, and he now leaned heavily agalnjrt the fonco for sapport, Tivat portion of the argument in reference to throwing away money, enforced as it washy a practical application, had done the business.

J*you

now

him, he to the

breath think ye kin Conducting 1 book door. Mr. Demon fiercely Into the water ed for "Riahr."

When Mr. Denson had mopped himself to his satisfaction he entered tbe bouse, where, in the bosom of his family, he was easily overheard by' Mr. Kinman, in animated com ersatiotf.

Hello!" he remarked, "yoti haint in bed agin? What's the matter now?" Oh Oliver s" (a weak, female Voice) "you know this is my sger day. 1 couldn't keep a-goin'—nohow!" "Keep agoinf N-o! Course not! You can't never keep ti-gtfin. You'd rurher allei# koep a-wbinin', an' agruntln', an' a-complainin', an' arftwsin' at me, an' a-devlin' uv me, an* a*— Shet

was suggested, with a

gQOWl* Ob, yes Mr. Denson Glad to meet you, Mr. Denson very glad to meet you, sir! My name is Kinman." (holding out his hand) "Q. Cumingore Kinman late of-—"

Concealing bis surprise, Mr. Kinman proceeded more leisurely with his own

supper, allowing himself ample time to femiliartao himself with his novel surroundings. Thinking it as well to be social he endeavored to lure Riabr Into a conversation, but found her extremely shy: and beyond tho meager facts that she had never gone to school, that there was "a heap" of chills and fever in tbe neighborhood, that her uiotbor had had tbo "third-day ager for more'n a year," and that quinine was "powerful high andscacer the conference was barren of results. Atterwards, encouraged by previous successcs, he fell to speculating on tho feasibility of negotiating a small loan—of say five or ten dollars—from his amiable host, In the morning and strange as It may appear, this idea did not seem to bim altogether preposterous. Me arose from the table, and sought Mr. Denson in tbe yard.

It seems almost superfluous to say that he found that gentleman very reserved. lie was leaning against the front fence, gaslng moodily across tbe desolate stubble-field at the old deadning in the distance, where the moon was coming up. His high-strung feelings had been sorely outraged. He felt bitter and reveugeftil yet, though there were indications that eupidltv and a greedy curiosity respecting bis guest, were slowly overcoming his sullen sense of injury. He had oeen pondering over the extraordinary and almost incredible occurrence of an hour before —the deliberate deatruction of tbe ten dollar bill—and painfully calculating the largest probable amount it would be safe to charge this reckless millionaire the following morning. He felt that, to a man who ooald tear up money iu that ruinous style, there waa great danger of naming too small a nam. Suppose he were to be guilty of such a blonder! It would render him mleermble for life. He shuddered to contemplate Ik

And Mr. Demon continued to gam it a in a

IV.

OINVMIM A nraDiitTsm HSH nrro A BUD THK HAXD. However reserved In other matters, there la one satgeot upon which a termer of Mr. Denson *s ctsss never refases to yfc It la the tended extortions

anoe bis rankling, Incurable sore-place. He broods over It, dreams aboot it, and parades It on every possible occasion. He believes himself the helpless victim of fool ooofl comwMnmai, ml iflHiiy TI nscaar* after. He has exagerated notfone of enormous profita made by "them town fellers," and denounce tb«m vehementswindlers and thieves ik&rp6f9) twiiidkn tod WWYHI and notwiUMtanding hfat frequent and atrenueua asertkws of his own preeminence In honesty and allthe virtues, nothinz under the annaffocde hlmanch

fthtnliiig one of them. He sails this

ttgitUn'

RaliyingeulBdently, helnqulied wlthjlngly deflraoded him tlmea anaSwtMiaH why Mr. Kinman badnt number, In. tite put, or that they will aaid that he wanted to pay. eonttnue to do so every time the'affof«Ob, never uttnd!" was the sarxjastic tuniiy offers, in the future. Indwedbe reply,

il&ii'-.* JUi

TEREE HAUTE

needn't

around to the

In answer to tbe apmmOM, & mtm scrawny, frightened girl of perhapa eleven years, came hastily out of the house, co we ting as she approached her liooky heer, Miss! WhaTsf the reason they haint no warter jjrt Now yon git to tbe spring, an'don't ye beau night about it, nutber. Put!

With a terrified look the oiiild seised the heavy wooden bucket, and darted down a path through the corn while the Injured parent took^ down one of the very smiUieit Of diminutive tin wash basins that ever was made for use. placed It on a convenient stump, and waited for her with all the patience of a mutilated hornet on a hot stove. She was back In an incredlblV short space of time, pantingahdout of breath, and Immediately retreated into tbe house again. Filling the little basin with twe spoonsfhl of water, Mr. Denson proceeded with orach snorting and spluttering to bathe his head, hands and free and this finished, to conscientiously kick the little basin into the weeds and this accomplished, to gouge the dripping water out of his eyes, with his knuckles, and call wrathfally for Riahr to come and hand him the towel. The child came, running, took from ita accustomed nail the brown piece of coffee-sack that did duty as a towel, and which had at no time been out of the brute's easy roach from where he stood, gave It to him and again disappeared.

IJIW,

it ravin' crazy distracted. What? Now none uv yer sniffln', 'r' I'll mash yer mouth! Your firalt? Course tis! Whose fault is't, Ttaint yourn? Is't mine Well!—I thought maybe 'twuz! 'Tsa wonder ye dtdirt 'ense't on me. Now I tell ye pint blank, m'lady, 't's my b'lief it's 'sterricks ails you, an' nothin'else. Allers a-tellin' ye that? Well, why don't ye git up, then, an' stir aroun' 'n'try ter do somethin' Riahr, haint supper a'most done?''

I'm jlst a-goin' to set the cheers,

P*^Well,

even with ^em,** and hoasfli of It

U» hia neigh bom, and chtrcktos over it matmng to be proud ot He would not ifeduhe slightest besitaUon in testilying under oath that they had unblush-

couldn't nnd«ra&and It. 11 is .now certain ofttob than of anything WM wsthtff on tho supposition that yoa! else In the wjrldL were a avmttaman. Ooon to thelKmes* Mr. Kinmsn knew the prevalence o: ....

ana let's have aomethlngto eat,M this belief and nghtly judged thatlua various lNS«ilieringcommercial »|»oe

•fW-' "|J'J

__ Mr. Kinman Mttnaly,

In a tone of rsproaohfril tnerednllty. "Yon eannot mean to say thai yoo haven't thought about tho grsat wmtt tho farmer efias of thts w«iMJ lit iw ferlngat the hands of qieculatorannd

dtnfTl ligOnce, ignores questions of such vital importanceaSthis. NO, no!"

The downtrodden former priced up his virtuous ears at thia akilfOliy eonveyed compliment,and admitted that be had thought about It, hut ttad notyet Indentified himself with tbfct band of auffonng patriots known asths "Patrons ofHn«b^ndry."

I knew Itl" exolaiaaed Mr. Kinman, triumphantly. "Of eomee yon have thought about it. Studied it! Why, sir. Itell you Its just exactly as I have always ssld. Those unmitigated rascala tbe middle-men, for all their having tbinga so mnch their own way, can't— fool—sensible— thinking—men! .They cant do It, air! And they do»V*

Mr. Denson, much mollified, shook his head knowinglv, as mnoh as to my they couldn't fool Man. "And why should they?" oontinued Mr. Kinman, warming with hia subject. "Are you blind Have you no sense of justice Is it right, I say. that they ahould live in idleness on tbe fruit of ride in and be

of justice Is it right, I say. that they hould live in idleness on tbe fruit of

aleir

our labor, wear fine clothes, ride in carriages, amass money, and I honored and respected while you

ielr carriages, amass mone _onored and respected wl their victim, the hard-working, honeet former—toil day in and day out to fill their pocketa? Why it!s wrong, air It's infamous!

Tbe honest farmer afeentod as to the wrong and the infamy, of It applying tho terms rather more, perhaps, to the wearing of good clothee and being respected, than to anything else.

Mr. Kinmsn weut-on* "Why, sir, it is you that furnish these things., (You keen,tw to taxu* and Idlenes*, suppler thttn with fine clothes, buy them their horses and carriases, build them their fine houses-s— You, sir Youio it ajU't

Mr. Denson modestly shrugged bis 'shoulders and remained silent, apparently engaged in a mental calculation as to the number of fine bouses be hsd built for them In some given period—say in the year eighteen hundred and seventytwo! "And why is this?" pursued this disinterested champion of an oppressed people, with great enthusiasm. "Why is it? Can you tell roe, sir? Are they

Seyany

I think it's about tjme. Tell

that feller out tbar to come in." When the gentleman hospitably alluded to as "that feller out thar," came in, Mr. Denson was already seated at the table helping himself to the fried picklo-pork and other similarly well Known country delicacies, with the tnOst impressive onergy. Grunting an Invitation to his guest to follow his example, hq bent himself over bis plate, aeemingly abaorbed In the unique taak of devouring the greatest possible amount of food in tbe shortest possible space of time and tbe minute be was through, arose and left the room, without having ottered another syllable.

ore deserving than other people Are better than you are t. A*e they any smarter/"

Mr. Denson's face said they were no smarter. Mr. Denson's voioe said he'd be danged" if he'd be a farmer much longer if he ha4 a little mote money to go into business wjth!

Mr. Kinman was atartled beyond measure at this unexpected turn of the Conversation. A vista of glittering possibilities opened up before him ae by a flash, and the paltry loan of ten dollars, which he had before been working for, dwindled into inscrutable nothingness. The suddenness of the thing took his breath but he saw his oourse, and took it up without a moments hesitation.

Conoealing bis astonishment, however and repressing any manifestation of undue excitoment, he assured Air. Denson that he waa right, and that he could not help admiring bis spirit. It showed an Independence, and a freedom from prejudice, which he honored.

What is tho use," he impetuously demanded, "of a man like you toiling and slaving his life out for other people when he haa only to take hia proper place in the world, and others will toil and slavo for him

Mr. Denson took tbe sliver whioli he was nervously chewing, out of his mouth and ground it under his heel as if he would thus relentlessly grind out every association of his past life, if he onoe made up bis mind to do it.

The moonlight seemed to annoy Mr. Kinman. He changed his position so ss to bring bis watchful eyea into the shade. Resuming the conversation, he 'said:

You have sense, Mr. Denson. You know a thing or two. You see through men—read them as it were. You ought not to think of remaining on a form. Yeu would be doing yourself the greatest injustice by doing so. You are capable of better things—far better. Yon have business qualifications and enlarged ideas of life that demand other fields if I am any judge of men. The form la no place for a man of yonr ability."

Under tbe influence of this fulsome flattery, Mr. Denson assumed an air of such supernatural sagacity that the unfortunate Riahr, who happened at that moment to come out for an armful of chips, started back in guilty dismsy, ana really came pear going into a spaam on the spot.

Mr. Kinman oontinued: I am an old business man, myself have had years of experience and have made money. 1 profess to know what bualness is, and what business men are and I tell you that all I'd want to make an independent fortune In five yeans, la Jastsuch a man you for a partner, to manage the granger trade. Pd open a atoonght hero In Oooklmville, and I'd do It at onoe. I wouidnt care whether my partner had muah money or not. I have anengh myself, for that matter. Ifcegmat advantage to mo would be in the esnmctienT You understand, Mr. Demon. TheeonneoUon."

MvTSemen understood perfectly. Hia little aneaklng eyes amnmd oovstomly, and be almoet imagined himeelf roping

uisras&,isrK-»«

UHDAY EVE

man who

knew all about it, ptooesded to damrlhe mom minutely too variomtricka praetiaed by designing merchante upon their innocent and unsuspecting coMomem and spoke in glowing terms of the enormom profits to bo derived from anch a business and--speeking always 1a what he ooooeived to be a first-dam business tone—retorted to thorn engaged in it aa "naboba," "rolling in wealth." Ho •aid: »I have a friend now, down In Winota who is doing just sneh a bmittessaa 1 speak of. fte made twenty thpomnd dollars la*year, clean cash. Yes sir! Twenty thoossnd doilara (of courss his partner made the oatne atnoant) and eighteen months ago he «m Had farmed allhiaUfo, and wmddprobably have been forming yet bnt for the most fortunate aceidMit. He jmt happened to get acquainted with a man who wanted a partner an old, experlenesd bwines man—and it waa the making of him. this man had bean hi bnslnsss himself, knew wit about it, undamtood

«jonrnalbdng,* the •dsbitiag,'the MiittoiB^tiw^brae payahte,' tke 'bills In* ding,' the *storage,* the *exshange.' the barter,' tfee Secmmissioo,' tbe *et«ettera.* the ^etettemm.' and sooo, andao forth—

mors eomlng ovary snmnd like mad-

tured to inquire how muofi money Mr. Klnmin*s mend Smith hod invested In thtafloorlShlngbuMnesa.

Oh, I dodt know emotly,"

You km he was lueky In tbe mat-

ter of getting a pmtner. TWs wmthe great point. He mold have doao nothing without Arm. It Ipn^t every day a man can get a partner like my friend Smith's. What a man he la! alan of the trorld Good age I (aboutmold a man as I am, I should think) HahUa fixed! Pleasant manners! Good address Smith has often remarked to' me that without his partner he could have done nothing aud be deeiareethat he never knew hut one man like him and that is myself. Of course be docs me too ranch honor, hut then of oourse again, he kndwa me well and la aware of my business qualifications. "An' bowinneh," pursued Mr. Denson ss if it were a pretty difficult undertaking, but he hsd determined to get at the bottom of this whole business,

How much did yoa say be made?" Twenty thousand dOllara 1 Twenty thousand, eight hundred and seven dollars and fourteen oentar to he oxact. I saw their hooka. Smith showed them to me blhtself, and told me confidentially that they expected to debblfe that "Mn'^einsdn^vas silent and Choughtfhl. Presently after a protracted struggle with some knotty thought that wouldnt be gotten In4» «xaot|y the jelght shape

the distant deadning, with it, hp ssld:

man

,, ».

S'posin' yer frien' Smith hadn't ahad quite ex-much c» I»n l4ousan' dollars.' Wouldnu pardnera-tuck 'im?"

Weir, ml rematked,^' 4nswtered Mr. Kinman "my triencTs partner had plenty of money himself, and I think it possible hO might though ot oourm I can* say certainly." 4.^

Well," said Mr. Denson engaging in another struggle, and deadning, "s'poMn' yer frien' Smith hadn't a-^iad morejn fifteen, hunder^ dollars. Would he a-tuck 1m then r» "InContideratlon of tboadvantages^f suoh a partnership," answered Mr. Kin*

doubtfully,1' "it is possihie he might .have dpbo so though I don't know."

But a'posin'" persisted Mr. Denson, still strugglir«i «»d still addressing the deadning, "s'posin' he had a-Jacked a hitnderd an' twenty dollars b' hcvln* that mueh. He wouldn't a-tuck Itu then,-would,he?" .^-ti

Mr. Kinman mentally .rubbed his hands with delight, but replied Cautiously, that in such a contingency as Mr. Denson mentioned, he thought It likely that his friend's partner would have suggested tbe propriety of his borrowing enough of some of his neighbors to hiake up tbe amount to two thousand dollar*, or something like that amount. "Shore enough!" mused Mr. Denson, much struck with the novelty of the idea. "He rooogbt. He

mought."

Perfectly oertain that he had. not lh the least degree betrayed himeelf, Of Oven aroused the faintest suspicion as to what he was driving at, Mr., Denson now tnsde signs that It was time to retire for the night. Mr. Kinman would have been glad to prolong the conversation just a little bit, 8ut meeting no encourage ment followed his host to the hoU^e, and was shown to his room.

This room of Mr. Klnman's was not strikingly luxuriant iri Its appointments but would perhsps have ConQparep. favorably with the majority of ''best rooms" in tbe houses of Mr. Denson's neighbors. Tbe floor was uncarpeted and the walls hare, absolutely, with the exception of a poor little looking-glass, eight inches by ten In dimensions, which was uncomfortably suspended near the one solitary window. On a rickety little table with a muslin spread were aisplsyed to the best advantage, 0 patent-medicihe almanao and three phantom-like daguerreotypes. The bed, three split-bottom chain, an ancient, hog-skin-covered trunk, and a side-sad-dle, made up the rest of tbe furniture. Tbe bed was a wonderfully constructed aflklr, which, Mr. Kinman thought to himself ss he surveyed it, might in some localities be profitably exhibited at so much ahead as a curiosity of apart age. It waa so tall that be wondered how he should be able to mount it without the assistance of a ladder. It was decked out with any number of complicated patch-work qullta, and wore a white gathered" skirt reaching from below its waist, downward, apparently with the sole object of exciting curiosity lb the beholder respecting its legs.

It not being a bed that he felt safe In taking any liberties with, Mr. Kinman at law, after removing hia bat and ooat, took a ohair and sat down with his baok to its and foil to reviewing tbe events of the day. Thia contemplation must have afforded him considerable pleasure, for ha frequently nibbed his hands together and nodded bis bead in away that ordinarily betokene the liveliest satiafeetlon. tees he got np with tho candle and looked approvingly at himself In tho little mirrors and oven winked at blnimtf, roguishly. Tiring after awhile of them diversions, and

diversiom, md finding nothing daily interesting ln tbe almanac, ho eventually finished tmdiiml rig, blow out the light, and gaily sealing the tall had by means of a chair, was in a very few minutes visited by that sweet refreahing alumber which It Is well known comes alone to the pure and good. a 4 •'.««

ftvAiAiiffin von mmtUHi. Mr. Kinman atom early the following torning and came oat of hia room with a briak, business air, which he hod every reason to hope would not be lost on his host. Alter a brief engagoaaont with the tin basin, and oertain tfiUlflnl toneheaof his hair with apocket-eomh. heptmentod himself at the kitchen «mt a perfect model of tho wide a wade, thorough going, tmsinsas man. Ho wm not greeted «kUo cordially he hod honed to be, hot then, donhOees, be had hoped too mnoh and, not wishing to ho nomdel of

too-exaeting

Mr. Kinman ras tdsyfolly over these at RUhr as stoo movwi »5wol UMJ and krbHtM tawiiiSerUEM:commerdal"amstT to^ed hi* hand^ on hui knef*, as If is hu^ing.

mftdflyr in gentlo-

want of

forgave any litue that exoetiont f1 wm obvious that the man had paased a re foee wm pale and haggard, Moodshot, and hie whole aspi

fltehuHia eyea ono of

extreme mental dofmsriw. That no sweei re Crashing slumber bad visited Auntbo past night, wis plain. lie sat

od the "pallid fcm for that Ita owner wm still all right In al nam point of view. Np woim oymptoua of a- sslspee were apparent than tbom above mentioned, but they were

Comforting him

self with the thought that, at all evonta,

Deneon^ dellberatlona, he eompMed with the Invltotlon to"eet.np,"and went through the form, of oatlng break fort. Duriurths meel, noreforsMS waa made by either pnr^r te the mt^ort of laat nlgbt'aooove«sationv At Ita eonelmlon, both gentleiQan, aa|f by previous agreement, went out and leaned on the fenoe. "W011 now," though^Mr. Klmttaneomplaeently, ^thoth&w'Qbe hxedupeome w^y, aure." but to lus speedy dlsoomfitp nre, Mr. Demon now appeared more reticent than ever. Mr. Kinman endeavored to encourage him by smart snthusiaatie rsflwonom to OookimvQltfa «4r vantages ss a point for business* butthf only^reepfible effect of tbeeft references wm to increase tbe intehslty «f Mr. Demon's resumed—with .the But' at length, quite unexpectedly unexpectedly to himself also: It appeared—he came out. of one of tnematrnsp* glee with an idea* which he eaet at Mr. Kinman'sfeet, thus: "S'posin' yer frien', ye know-ah— Smith's parSter—j« know: ski'he hadn't a-had Ho money ye know bad jlst a-been a-ptafw' of ye know a-klnder takin' 8auth tit like, ye* know. Then what 'd Smith done?"

1 fe

-tf-

My friand Smith, Sbr," said Mr* Kin*

60uld tell somewhat about one by his appearance. Besides, ho didn't risk anything: there was nooocaaion for him to tnveet Ais money until he wm aatisfled upon that point." ^"Shore enough!" sold Mr DettsOn. hnmhly. VI didn't think o* that!" ahd lafNtej^lnto silence agflh* Soy««lroln. utea passed, hot there was not the least indlcartionthst eVer bo intended to fendw tt»e Atrdggle^

FhwOiy^lr. Kinman, .glawinght tlm sun, pratended he must gp,,and thi^ r4eoo of strategy brought matters to crisis add it Mien transpired tblt Mr. Ddnabn had made up hia salnd1to-beui the oateer of a merchant provided M*.

woeid not tO^nlrOd to fhriilhh m&rt than thirtmn huadrOd end eigthy dol'lataat present hioportio^ of the oa^h capital. If Mr. Kinman betrayed any dearee of agitation upott the annoanceuieub orthis decision, the other party3 was too abaorbedlto notioe it and it wm I^QOO. agreed, tliat the amount named. wm quite 'suffidedt. and that they sboula start for OoOkihsville forthwith 'to secures i^tt atfd tfilkrdther necessary nrepnratloiM for.''opening ojut? ot lth»o£lisa((pesslhte hioment

Tbe ice being fairly broken. Mr. Donson began to talk. And now that be had ,betiun to talk, he talked immoderately. He developed an originality ih the art of fcweartngi and a profWency in the use of slang—old wom-eut slang, however— that wm quite remarkable in so young a business man. He not only talked, but bo kept up a running aocompaniment of the most amazing nods and winks and frequently chuckled to himself, or gigged outright. On' the road to town, he Unfolded Jiis plans and expectations as to "roping in'" and swindling hia fellow farmers, In a bare-feoed, unhesitattng way, that absolutely astouridfed even hi« knowing partner. Reaching" OookinsVille, they were lueky enough to. find a Suitable room without much difficulty, and engaged it at once though thO artftil Mr. Denson evinced his sharpness in a trade, by beating down the rent three doilara and fifteen cents on tho month, before it wss taken. This settled, they took a little walk over the town, and through the other stores and the knowing and astute look, with which Mr. Denson regarded the proprietors of these stores, waa, if anything, quite as astonishing, aa tbe unbounded contempt he seemed to havo, for the formers be saw therein making purchases.

At length they set out on their return, having determined to start to Cincinnati together tbe next morning to make tbeir purchases of a stock. On tbe way, Mr. Kinman suggested that it would be better if Mr. Denson would remain at home and get everything In readiness for business, while he went on to Cincinnati alone, and bought tbe goods but tho proposition met with- such rigorous opposition that he did not dare urge it, and hastened, very adroitly, to change the subject. Mr. Denson speedily recovered his equanimity, and wmas buoyant over. Hia elation of slants wm immense. He wmin a high good humor. Reaching home he buLlieo the Sickly Mrs. Denson, who wm still In bod, to tbo very verge of hopeless insanity, and ordered the terrified Riahr around with a apecieeof overbearing and loud-mouthed tyranny that would have exasperated a wooden man. Mr. Kinnmn felt tempted mors than onoe to take the oowardly scoundrel by tho neck and ohoke him to death, but restrained, for policy's mke, the righteous inclination. In tbe midst of it all, he talked, and nodded, and winked, and cursed, like a man intoxicated with eome exceenvely strong stimulant. His wife and child watched thia fast ore of hlsudbehavior In sDSseblsss

with his hidon by theotove, glowering*trades be hod made in tbe pa#t ten

To them ho had alwaors

been tadt«ra and sulky never noisy. Alwato cruel and a brute, hut never talksfivo. They ooald net undei~^~ whm hod Wrought the wendmtal hut lnetiaeUvely sttributed lt^in nriexplained way to Mr, foarsd him aonoralngty.

But all of thia wm a unepsalrshle dismay that alter supper, when thia vi band andfether demanded "that oarpetsaek," end began peeking up hia doths if for a journey. To all their timid inquirim to where he wm going and how long be would ho abeent, be only vottcbsaMd such unrattafoctory informathm as-"Ter Chlny f-whor* ye mckonf 1UII gUback?—How long yeePpomr* chuckling with intense enjoyment at the consternation these mysterious reptiee oootekraed. At laet, having stnffod the liUie travelingbag to bursting with all manner of pmalbio and Impossible things, and given Riahr orders to grills his boots before she should dare to go to bed, he knocked at Mr. Kinmatt *e door—that gentlemen having retired some time before fkoen sheer ina*. bklty to any longer restrain hia indignation—end announesd his intention of with Urn tn order to «M»jpe

by tho

Mgrnntin* rn'

groanln'" of hia wife daring tonicht. Mr. Kinman submitted to the infliction with tho bestgraee he could, and for the next three boor* wm rmaled with choice remlniaceoeee of Mr. Denson'tt wonderful smartness In various

«Mp^dal!y of his shrewdness lie had certain theories re*

Ono of them theorise wm that It la the universal eustom of merchante to 4 food deal more for their tlMy nxpoct to get and ir moat never, under any ctnmm* atancss, pay the prioe first named. A%-

might seem its being the extravi

ir goods thm tho

enlbe odhUmijr, wm emential Uim bo profeas an extremely poor opinion .of it. Plowing thsmrules closely, aOdhelng 'sl alweye to make the merchant nnderateod oleariy that ho wma letUe too ss^rtto hStakedln by any of hia merchant's) well known knavery

Denoon believed it possible that al

Denoon believed it possible that hada 1 of timi very go After eliciting a promise from his part* nor that he cbooM be allowed

moet anybody who way,might none

talent that

t, in Mane of time—with ex*

perlenqe^become a very good trader.

an oppor

tunity for the free exercise of his own talent in baying when they reached Cincinnati, the talented gentleman turned himself over for tbe three hundredth time, in the bod, and foil asleep.

Mr. Denson's precautions against being disturbed were certainly well taken, for after the exhltement or tho evening Mrs. Denson wm taken decidedly worse. So much worm, in feet, that it wm necessary to keep a light burning—which of itself would have destroyed nia comfort. For it was a elngular foot that Mr. Denson never could sleep where a light was burning. And what wm still more singular, it did not seem to matter wbetber the llgh* wm hunting in the room he occupied, or in some other, so that he knew It wm burning which to Indicate a possibility of extravagance of tho thing, more than tho light, that disturbed him.

Choking back ner tears, little Riahr— after she hod greaaed tho boots—set bravely to work dolt& ?"fbat she could for her mother, .woo wm really very sick and, not knowlagranything better to do, made ootoetant applications of hot bricks to her foet, 'the first half Of tbe night, and eodfclly constant applioatlona ot oold water tO BeYTjeadthe last half. All night she,amilou^ly .bu^ed herself about Uie4j0dlndnevsrsl6eed her eyes while the unconscious fother slept on undisturbed, never so n^uch dreaming bow hia res£ wm being imperiled l^y aburnlogoaiidle'ltithehextlroom.

When Mr.,Denaon eame into the siokroom in the morning to array himself la the Suhday-stilt orjjclotbes which he had Che ptevious evening ltdd out on a chair* glrthat pur|)ose, he wm acoosted by a' so weak and tremulous It fright*

Otlvoh*1 Well?^ he mid, pausing with the fthlrt 4V4T hit hoftd*

Oh, Oliver J" eamo the voice very pleadingly. Weilf" he repeated, struggling to firm hia head hy runnifltg it through tbo shirMrith the, ooUor«fiUi,festened. "Tm aw-ftil sick. •*., ,i—?,

Well ho repeAtecl a^alb, dmcdvering the buUOn at- iast, siid extricating himself. wi '-r.-jHii' a

You're notgoln'^oaoQff an'leavemo ihere aldiie with Klahr.?" He-approached the bed impatiently.'

Alode withiRiabr! Nowlls'n at wr (D'ye w^pt the whole settlement to come |n beer 'n' stay with ye say! But/ that's alius tbe w&y with ye, when I Want 'ef go on an' laV lh m'goods, an' go.ter store-keepin'. Cant never let me' go ter Cinclnnatty without a-whlnln', an' a-fussln' at mo, an' artryin' ter keep hie at home. It's jist like ye but I'm not a-goin' ter be kep1) mi' that's tbe bend uv It!"

Seemingly ashamed of having—in even this round-about way—impsrted so innch of bis plans to his wife, he went back to. tbe ehalr and proceeded with hisdressing.

But, Oliver—"'

oamo tho tremulous

voice again, still more pleadingly. Well!—what is It now?"

R,r

«4I think I'm goin* to die." "Oh I die the devil!" wm the brutal rejoinder. "You've been a-dyin' every Week fer the last year to my certain knowledge an' ye haint dead yit. Don't yo beskeered a bit about that, /hain't.

A brief silence ensued which wm broken only by the half-suppressed sobs of tbe poor woman on 'the bod. Riahr came in softly and laid her tearful, distressed Aco-Mtylagly against tbo burning cboek or her unhappy mother^ but wife Instantly ordered out of the room by her fether.

Having completed hia toilet, Mr. Donson stalked over to the bed again, and after looking fixedly at his wife a moment said, with an air of arrogant condesoens on altogether Indescribable. "Now, you looky yer! I'm a-goin' away .on business. When I git back I don't want ter fine yo* o-layTn' yer in bed yit, a-mopin'. I want ye to git up an' stir aroun'! Tm a-goin' ter quit formin'— I am—an' go ter keepln' a store yander in GookinsviUe: an' I'm a-doln' uv it for your good! That man out tbar he's Kinman. Him an' one's a-goin' in pardners. Now I don't want Kinman acrowln' over me, an a-mskin' fun an' agassin* at me for bavin' sech a sickly good-fer-nothln' womern 'ss you air, with no rtylo about 'er. Ye'd ought'er bo mhamod 9? yerself! Now, pit up an' ttir aroun! I nalnt agoln' tor be gone moffna wOek or sock a matter."

After thia remarkable outburst of connubial candor, Mr. Denson took np tho traveling-bag and joined Mr. Kinman at thO brmktest table, and soon after that set oot with him for Gookinsvllle without smdte compromising himeelf by soy such additional weakness as telling his will or child food-bye. The partners trudged along in silence for some little HBM tmh ssnmlnrlr busy with his own thoughts. At length, looking up. tho mnlor member ef the firm ventured tbe hope that nothing had been forgotten.

Hardly anything ooald have disconcerted Mr. Denoon more at that moment than did this simple auggestion. He halted abmntl/. dropped the caroetbac. dapped his hands to his blpe, t^raw a wild glance all over himself, all over hia partner, book the road, and wm down on hia knees inrriedly trying to t«ar open the carpet-bag, when Mr, Kinman calmly remarked:

You've got tho money with you, I •oppose." Ah!" exclaimed Mr. Denson taking his brestb again, and feeling inexpressible relief be perceived tbe cause of his partner** eotieitude. "Never you mind about tho money: that'll be all right, then And they started on again.

Uladked* but few minutes of trsin time when they ranched tbe depot. Greatly excited, Mr. Denson act the car-pet-bog on a bench, and hurriedly tinkicking It took oot a bulky wallet. After nervoualy unwinding several yards of yarn string with which it hadbeon seeurad he opened the wallet and bun«hngly abstracted a ten dollar bill for tho purchase of his ticket. Just then Mr. Kinman l»ent over snd requested turn to (cXjm!^KD OS PAfl*.]