Timothy Crumps Ward | Page 8

Mrs. Crump. "How could you suspect
such a thing? But here's a letter. It looks as if there was something in it.
Here, Timothy, it is directed to you."
Mr. Cooper opened the letter, and read as follows:--
"For reasons which it is 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."
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.
"What could be more fortunate?" exclaimed Mrs. Crump. "Surely,
Timothy, our faith has been rewarded."
"God has listened to our cry," said the cooper, devoutly; "and, in the
hour of our need, He has remembered us."
"Isn't it prime?" said Jack, gleefully; "three hundred dollars! Ain't we
rich, Aunt Rachel?"
"Like as not," observed Rachel, "the 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."
"I'll risk that," said Mr. Crump, who did not look very much depressed
by this suggestion.
"Now you'll be able to pay the rent, Timothy," said Mrs. Crump,
cheerfully.
"Yes; and it's the last quarter I shall pay to Mr. Colman, if I can help
it."
"Why, where are you going?" inquired Jack.
"To 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."
The cooper found Mr. Harrison at home.
"I called to inquire," commenced the cooper, "whether you had let that
house of yours on the corner of the street."
"Not as yet," was the reply.
"What rent do you ask?"
"Twenty dollars a quarter," said Mr. Harrison; "that I consider
reasonable."
"It is satisfactory to me," was the cooper's reply, "and, if you have no
objections to me as a tenant, I will engage it at once."
"Far from having any objections, Mr. Crump," was the courteous reply,
"I shall be glad to secure so good a tenant. Will you go over and look at
the house?"
"Not now, sir; I am somewhat in haste. When can we move in?"
"To-day, if you like."
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.
"I was not aware you had a child so young," he remarked, looking at
the baby.
"It isn't mine," said Mrs. Crump, briefly.
"The child of a neighbor, I suppose," 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.
"Good-morning," said Colman, affably. "A fine morning."
"Quite so," answered his tenant, shortly.
"I have called, Mr. Crump, to know if you are ready with your quarter's
rent."
"I think I told you, last night, how I was situated. Of course I am
sorry----"
"So am I," said the landlord, "for I may be obliged to have recourse to
unpleasant measures."

"You mean that we must leave the house!"
"Of course, you cannot expect to remain in it if you are unable to pay
the rent. Of course," added Colman, making an inventory with his eyes,
of the furniture, "you will leave behind a sufficient amount of furniture
to cover your bill----"
"Surely, you would not deprive us of our furniture!"
"Is there any hardship in requiring payment of honest debts?"
"There are cases of that description. However, I will not put you to that
trouble. I am ready to pay you your dues."
"You have the money?" said Colman, hastily.
"I have, and something over; as you will see by this document. Can you
give me the two hundred and eighty dollars over?"
It would be