y eye and Phrony's
lit on this paper"--he held out a crumpled scrap--"the same moment, and
we run for it together, but I got my claws in it first, and read it out
loud. Then, 'Miss Marlin,' I says, quiet like, 'I'll take that money!'
'What money?' she says, and added language that ain't fit for this lady
to hear.

"'You know what money!' I says. 'I'm a special constable, and my team is
outside. You'll hand me that money or see the inside of the lock-up
within half an hour!' I says. She used awful language then; gorry! if
you'll excuse the expression, ma'am, I never heard such language, and
I'm no chicken. But the old woman throws up her hands, and screeches
out, 'A jidgment, Phrony! a jidgment! Jesus walkin' on the waves, and
Jordan rollin' past! Git it out of the bureau drawer!'

"I'm old, ma'am, but I'm tol'able spry. I got to the door and into the
front room before Phrony did; and when she see me at the bureau she gave
one awful yell and fell down in some kind of fit. I took the money. The
old woman was kind of clawin' the air over her, and sayin' 'Dust and
ashes! dust and ashes! hell fire's lightin' up!' 'Twarn't no agreeable
sight, and I come away. And--and here's the money, friend Calvin, and I
wish you joy with it."

Calvin Parks took the money with a dazed look.

"Mr. Cheeseman," he said, "I don't know what to say to you. There don't
seem to be anything _to_ say that'll express what I feel--"

"You might introduce me to this lady!" said the old man with a frosty
twinkle.

"Darn my hide!" cried Calvin Parks. "Somebody put me under the pump,
will they? Mr. Ivory Cheeseman, let me make you acquainted with Mis'
Calvin Parks as is to be! her present name is Ha--Sands!"

"Miss Hassands," said Mr. Cheeseman with a magnificent bow, "I am
pleased to meet you, I'm sure!"

Mary became rather hysterical at this, and it was necessary for Calvin
to soothe and quiet her; Mr. Cheeseman meanwhile inspected the harnesses
critically, and expressed his opinion that they was a first-rate set
out, and no mistake.

While they were thus occupied, the barn door was suddenly flung open,
and a thin, peevish voice cried, "Cousin! Cousin Mary! where in time
have you got to?"

The trio started and turned. In the doorway stood Mr. Simeon Sill, in
carpet slippers and overcoat, the latter displaying a valance of
flowered dressing-gown. A woollen shawl was tied over his head, and from
it his eyes peered disconsolately.

"Where hav