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unnecessary to state, the guardians of this child find it expedient to (sic) intrust it to others to be brought up. The good opinion which they have formed of you, has led them to select you for that charge. No further explanation is necessary, except that it is by no means their object to make this a service of charity. They therefore (sic) inclose a certificate of deposits on the Broadway Bank, of three hundred dollars, the same having been made in your name. Each year, while the child remains in your charge, the same sum will in like manner be placed to your credit at the same bank It may be as well to state, farther, that all attempts to fathom whatever of mystery may attach to this affair, will prove useless.โ€

This letter was read in silent amazement.

The certificate of deposits, which had fallen to the floor, was handed to Timothy by his wife.

Amazement was followed by a feeling of gratitude and relief.

โ€œWhat could be more fortunate?โ€ exclaimed Mrs. Crump. โ€œSurely, Timothy, our faith has been rewarded.โ€

โ€œGod has listened to our cry,โ€ said the cooper, devoutly; โ€œand, in the hour of our need, He has remembered us.โ€

โ€œIsn't it prime?โ€ said Jack, gleefully; โ€œthree hundred dollars! Ain't we rich, Aunt Rachel?โ€

โ€œLike as not,โ€ observed Rachel, โ€œthe certificate isn't genuine. It doesn't look natural it should be. I've heard of counterfeits before. I shouldn't be surprised at all if Timothy got taken up for presenting it.โ€

โ€œI'll risk that,โ€ said Mr. Crump, who did not look very much depressed by this suggestion.

โ€œNow you'll be able to pay the rent, Timothy,โ€ said Mrs. Crump, cheerfully.

โ€œYes; and it's the last quarter I shall pay to Mr. Colman, if I can help it.โ€

โ€œWhy, where are you going?โ€ inquired Jack.

โ€œTo the corner house belonging to Mr. Harrison, that is, if it is not already engaged. I think I will go and see about it at once. If Mr. Colman should come in while I am gone, tell him I will be back directly; I don't wish you to tell him of the change in our circumstances.โ€

The cooper found Mr. Harrison at home.

โ€œI called to inquire,โ€ commenced the cooper, โ€œwhether you had let that house of yours on the corner of the street.โ€

โ€œNot as yet,โ€ was the reply.

โ€œWhat rent do you ask?โ€

โ€œTwenty dollars a quarter,โ€ said Mr. Harrison; โ€œthat I consider reasonable.โ€

โ€œIt is satisfactory to me,โ€ was the cooper's reply, โ€œand, if you have no objections to me as a tenant, I will engage it at once.โ€

โ€œFar from having any objections, Mr. Crump,โ€ was the courteous reply, โ€œI shall be glad to secure so good a tenant. Will you go over and look at the house?โ€

โ€œNot now, sir; I am somewhat in haste. When can we move in?โ€

โ€œTo-day, if you like.โ€

His errand satisfactorily accomplished, the cooper returned home. Meanwhile the landlord had called.

He was a little surprised to find that Mrs. Crump, instead of looking depressed, looked cheerful, rather than otherwise.

โ€œI was not aware you had a child so young,โ€ he remarked, looking at the baby.

โ€œIt isn't mine,โ€ said Mrs. Crump, briefly.

โ€œThe child of a neighbor, I suppose,โ€ thought Colman.

Meanwhile he scrutinized closely, without appearing to do so, the furniture in the room.

At this point Mr. Crump opened the outer door.

โ€œGood-morning,โ€ said Colman, affably. โ€œA fine morning.โ€

โ€œQuite so,โ€ answered his tenant, shortly.

โ€œI have called, Mr. Crump, to know if you are ready with your quarter's rent.โ€

โ€œI think I told you, last night, how I was situated. Of course I am sorryโ€”โ€”โ€

โ€œSo am I,โ€ said the landlord, โ€œfor I may be obliged to have recourse to unpleasant measures.โ€

โ€œYou mean that we must leave the house!โ€

โ€œOf course, you cannot expect to remain in it if you are unable to pay the rent. Of course,โ€ added Colman, making an inventory with his eyes, of the furniture, โ€œyou will leave behind a sufficient amount of furniture to cover your billโ€”โ€”โ€

โ€œSurely, you would not deprive us of our furniture!โ€

โ€œIs there any hardship in requiring payment of honest debts?โ€

โ€œThere are cases of that description. However, I will not put you to that trouble. I am ready to pay you your dues.โ€

โ€œYou have the money?โ€ said Colman, hastily.

โ€œI have, and something over; as you will see by this document. Can you give me the two hundred and eighty dollars over?โ€

It would be difficult to picture the amazement of Colman. โ€œSurely, you told me a different story last night,โ€ he said.

โ€œLast night and this morning are different times. Then I could not pay you; now, luckily, I am able. If you cannot change this amount, and will accompany me to the bank, I will place the money in your hands.โ€

โ€œMy dear sir, I am not at all in haste,โ€ said the landlord, with a return of his former affability. โ€œAny time within a week will do. I hope, by the way, you will continue to occupy this house.โ€

โ€œAs I have already engaged Mr. Harrison's house, at the corner of the street, I shall be unable to remain. Besides, I do not want to interfere with the family who are so desirous of moving in.โ€

Mr. Colman was silenced. He regretted, too late, the hasty course which had lost him a good tenant. The family referred to had no existence; and, it may be remarked, the house remained vacant for several months, when he was glad to rent it at the old price.





CHAPTER V. A LUCKY RESCUE.

THE opportune arrival of the child inaugurated a season of comparative prosperity in the home of Timothy Crump. To persons accustomed to live in their frugal way, three hundred dollars seemed a fortune. Nor, as might have happened in some cases, did this unexpected windfall tempt the cooper or his wife to extravagances.

โ€œLet us save something against a rainy day,โ€ said Mrs. Crump.

โ€œWe can, if I get work soon,โ€ answered her husband. โ€œThis little one will

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