Page:Stories told to a child.djvu/221

 And that's true, Mr. Sims," says I, "for it's little enough I have to lay out, and the shop t'other side of the turnpike be nigher."

'Well, I sat me down; maybe a quarter of an hour after I'd bought my candle, and just as I was a-going, in comes Mrs. Sims, and, says she, "Is that Grattan's wife?"

Ay," says he.

Well," says she, "I reckon you remembered to give her that letter."

A good thing you spoke, my dear," says he, "I should have forgot it—that I should."

'If you'll believe me, I trembled like a leaf, to think I should so near have missed it. "Be it a letter from the Indies?" says I.

Ay," says he, "that it is, and nothing to pay on it; and it's marked, 'To be left at the post-office till called for.

'Well, dear, I took it home, and waited for my old man to come home, by reason I can't read, and about dusk he comes in, and we lights the candle, and my old man he read it right out, for he's a fine scholar. And there was two five-pound notes inside, bless him; and he says, "Mother, I've got made sergeant, and now I shall send to you regular.

'Well, I've heard no better news this many a day!' said Matilda.

'It was good, dear. Well, I paid the doctor, and when Mr. Ball came next day, says I, "There's the money, sir," and he stared. "Indeed," he says; "I am surprised, but them that pay can stay." So, you see, there's money to spend, more money, dear, when Rh