University of Virginia Library

8. VIII.
WHAT MR. DUCKLOW CARRIED IN THE ENVELOPE.

At evening Josiah came home; and it was not until then
that Ducklow mentioned the subject which was foremost
in his thoughts.

“What do ye think o' Gov'ment bonds, Josiah?” he
incidentally inquired, after supper.

“First-rate!” said Josiah.

“About as safe as anything, a'n't they?” said Ducklow,
encouraged.

“Safe?” cried Josiah. “Just look at the resources
of this country! Nobody has begun to appreciate the
power and undeveloped wealth of these United States.
It 's a big rebellion, I know; but we 're going to put it
down. It 'll leave us a big debt, very sure; but we handle
it now as easy as that child lifts that stool. It makes him
grunt and stagger a little, not because he is n't strong
enough for it, but because he don't understand his own
strength, or how to use it: he 'll have twice the strength,
and know just how to apply it, in a little while. Just so
with this country. It makes me laugh to hear folks talk
about repudiation and bankruptcy.”

“But s'pos'n' we do put down the rebellion, and the
States come back: then what 's to hender the South, and
Secesh sympathizers in the North, from j'inin' hands and
votin' that the debt sha' n't be paid?”

“Don't you worry about that! Do ye suppose we 're
going to be such fools as to give the rebels, after we 've
whipped 'em, the same political power they had before the
war? Not by a long chalk! Sooner than that we 'll put
the ballot into the hands of the freedmen. They 're our

friends. They 've fought on the right side, and they 'll
vote on the right side. I tell ye, spite of all the prejudice
there is against black skins, we a'n't such a nation of ninnies
as to give up all we 're fighting for, and leave our
best friends and allies, not to speak of our own interests, in
the hands of our enemies.”

“You consider Gov'ments a good investment, then, do
ye?” said Ducklow, growing radiant.

“I do, decidedly, — the very best. Besides, you help
the Government; and that 's no small consideration.”

“So I thought. But how is it about the cowpon bonds?
A'n't they ruther ticklish property to have in the house?”

“Well, I don't know. Think how many years you 'll
keep old bills and documents and never dream of such a
thing as losing them! There 's not a bit more danger
with the bonds. I should n't want to carry 'em around
with me, to any great amount, — though I did once carry
three thousand-dollar bonds in my pocket for a week. I
did n't mind it.”

“Curi's!” said Ducklow: “I 've got three thousan'dollar
bonds in my pocket this minute!”

“Well, it 's so much good property,” said Josiah, appearing
not at all surprised at the circumstance.

“Seems to me, though, if I had a safe, as you have, I
should lock 'em up in it.”

“I was travelling that week. I locked 'em up pretty
soon after I got home, though.”

“Suppose,” said Ducklow, as if the thought had but
just occurred to him, — “suppose you put my bonds into
your safe: I shall feel easier.”

“Of course,” replied Josiah. “I 'll keep 'em for you, if
you like.”

“It will be an accommodation. They 'll be safe, will
they?”

“Safe as mine are; safe as anybody's: I 'll insure 'em
for twenty-five cents.”

Ducklow was happy. Mrs. Ducklow was happy. She
took her husband's coat, and with a pair of scissors cut the
threads that stitched the envelope to the pocket.

“Have you torn off the May coupons?” asked Josiah.

“No.”

“Well, you 'd better. They 'll be payable now soon;
and if you take them, you won't have to touch the bonds
again till the interest on the November coupons is due.”

“A good idee!” said Ducklow.

He took the envelope, untied the tape, and removed the
contents. Suddenly the glow of comfort, the gleam of
satisfaction, faded from his countenance.

“Hello! What ye got there?” cried Josiah.

“Why, father! massy sakes!” exclaimed Mrs. Ducklow.

As for Ducklow himself, he could not utter a word; but,
dumb with consternation, he looked again in the envelope,
and opened and turned inside out, and shook, with
trembling hands, its astonishing contents. The bonds
were not there: they had been stolen, and three copies of
the “Sunday Visitor” had been inserted in their place.