Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life

ump. To persons accustomed to live in their frugal way, three hundred dollars seemed a fortune. Nor, as mig

ng against a rainy d

little one will add but little to our expenses, and there

hy," said Rachel, in her usual cheerful way; "it

ur failing to look too much at

can see it anywhere," said his s

ected good fortune which came

now," said Rachel, gloomily, "but a y

rience, Aunt Rachel?" i

as you were when you were an infant, three hundred dollars

its about him sufficiently to answer, "I've always heard, Aunt Rachel, that the crosser

ther, who looked upon it as a good joke, remarke

were not allowed to speak so to their elders. "But, I don't know as I can blame 'em much," she con

as his best (sic) defence. Since anything he migh

she had a good appetite. Indeed, Rachel seemed to thrive on her gloomy views of life and human nature. She was, it must be acknowledged, perfectly consistent in all her conduct, as far as this peculiarity was concerned. Whenever she too

ense of security-of possessing something upon which he could fall back-that enabled him to keep up good heart. It is too generally the case that people are content to live as if they were sure of constantly retaining their health and never losing their employment. When a reverse does come they are at once plunged into discouragement, and fe

feared. Not that his line of business revived,-that still rem

ated probable wealth. Seizing him by the throat, the villain effectually prevented him from calling the police, and was engaged in rifling his p

e cooper, sternly, "or I will deliv

ed, and springing to his feet, he hasti

" said Timothy, respectfully, turnin

o your timely assistance. The r

have lost no

your interference, when I say that I have fifteen hundred do

ble to do you such essential service. It wa

of yours? I have some little distance yet to go, and the amount of money I

y," said

gentleman, "that you yourself

attack," said Mr. Crump, laughing. "Money brings

ng to take their chance of

an exception. Still I should be satisfied

have that,

ad until

sent, you are

s,

your bu

of a c

ou. Can you call at my office t

e glad to

ne. And this is my house. Thank you for your com

the ringing of childish voices welcoming home their father, whose life, unknown to them, had been in such peril, and he could not but be grateful

until after his meeting appointed for the next day. Then if any

ire. Aunt Rachel sat with her hands folded in her lap, w

chel," said the cooper, cheerfully. "Yo

ubled me lately. I feel that it is more than probable that I am growing blind. But I tr

Rachel," said the cooper, cheerily. "I think I know w

chel, with melan

les," said her bro

any years before I am old enough to wear spectacles. I didn't ex

our feelings, Rachel," s

l, rising and taking a s

don't go yet.

me, Timothy, my self-respec

om with something more tha

cooper. "She turns upon a body so sudden, it's hard

leep ever sinc

trouble. That all comes upon you, whi

hild, and I love her almost as much as if she wer

Aunt Rachel

ill never be a fav

t isn't her way. Now, Mary, while you