thieves get them; and remember that one-half the world is hard at work
slanderin' t'other. Keep an eye t' wind'rd, darlin'. We've sailed along
smoothly enough through life together, but there may be a dismal storm
ahead. Life storms are dangerous. Here's a kiss, good little woman--good
bye.' Then he goes away, and I sees no more of him for three years.
That's a long time, sir. But he is so fond of the children, and such a
dear, good husband to me."

"Mad-am," said Gusher, again bowing and pressing his hand to his heart,
"wiz so good a lady for his wife, I am sure he shall be so happy and so
proud." Detecting the small vein of eccentricity in the little woman's
character, Mr. Gusher was evidently inclined to encourage it, hoping
that it would still further develop her generosity.

"You are sure my investment will be perfectly safe?" enquired the little
woman, looking up anxiously in Mr. Gusher's face.

"Oh, madam!" rejoined Mr. Gusher. "Oh, mad-am! Perfectly, as you shall
zee. Ze honor of ze firm is pledged to zat."

The little woman now drew two thousand dollars from her satchel, and
after counting it on her knee, passed it to Mr. Gusher. "I will invest
this," she said, again looking up anxiously at Mr. Gusher, and then
fumbling over the contents of her satchel, as if it still contained
something she was in doubt how to dispose of. "I will take your word,"
she resumed, as if some sudden change had come over her mind. "Life's
short, and speculation uncertain. I am from Yonkers. You have heard of
Yonkers, sir? Yonkers on the Hudson. People of Yonkers are boiling over
with excitement about the great discovery. Thank you for your kindness,
sir. I hope the shares will go up. If I should double my money, as you