White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-08-13
selttt Gale.
(From the Boston Olive Branch.)
THE FOREIGN COIN
BY CAROLINE F. oRNE.

There were no flowers around that little old
lonely house, that stood down by the banks of
the river, half hidden by some scrubby willows.
and looking black and desolate. Behind, the
roof sloped almost down to the ground, and in
front there were only three windows, and bat
tered looking red door. At little distance from
the crazy looking shed was pig sty, with three
young PICS summing themselves in the blaze of a
July sun. They were apparently well fed, for
they only now and then gave an occasional grunt.
A few large yellow-legged hens were picking
and scratching about the scanty grass before the
open door, and under the willows down by the
rivers edge stood patient looking red and white
COW.
Occasionally little girl of some nine or ten
years old would come to the door, and look out,
as if expecting some one, and at length there
came from a field near by, a tall and somewhat
stout looking man, apparently about fifty years
of age, with hard, stern countenaRce, that
seemed an absolute stranger to smile. Over
his shoulder he carried a shovel and hoe, and
in his hand he had large basket. He deposit
eO Iueee III the hucuB anu Sncu hCLS W VIC
pump and washed his face and hands.
Meantime the little girl came to the door
again, and said in a pleasant voice, Come,
grandpa, your dinner will get cold, I'm afraid
Il viii come in minute, Mary said the man,
and strange to say his voice was uncommonly
sweet and musical, almost so much so, as to star
tie you when you first heard it, coming from SO
rough an exterior. Mary loved better to hear
her grandfather speak than to look at him, but
Edward Crary always treated the child kindly
harsh and cold as be appeared. When he went
into the house, he found the little round table
neatly set as usual, with dish of smoking po
tatoes, little bit of fried meat, some brown
bread, and cup of tea. There was no beer OF
cider on the table, common as those article:
were. Two fag-bottomed chairs with high
carved backs stood at the two ends of the table
and sharp, broad bladed wooden handled knife
lay beside the half loaf of bread. The meal was
eaten almost in silence, but yet with good Ape
tite on both sides, and little Mary sung the frag
ment of song, as she gathered the dishes into
a large earthern milk-pan and began to wash
and wipe them.
Get me q little hot water in my shaving mug
Mary SAID her grandfather, passing his hand
slowly over his chin.
Mary cheerfully Obeyed, wondering in silence
her grandfather should shave on Friday, wher
he usually waited till Saturday night. She ther
went on with her task.
Presently her grandfather said, MARY, you
may run up stairs and lay my best clothes on the
bed; put me out clean neckeTchief, stockings
and handkerchief
In few minutes Mary returned, saying,
They're all ready, grandpa
The taciturn old man said never q word, but
pretty soon went up the narrow stairs, at the tor
of which were two rooms. He entered the one
to the right, and commenced dressing himself
Ashe took of his his every day clothes, he found
aIsrge hole in the knee of his pantaloons, and
be laid them across chair. When he was dress
ed, he took them over his arm, and went down
BY this time Mary had washed the dishes, ant
swept the room, and having washed her face anC
hands, and brushed her hair, had safe down b!
the window that looked toward the river, anC
was just about to take up her knitting. Sh'
looked pleased to see how nice her grandfather
looked in his black suit, with his clean white
neOkerchief. quite like minister she thought
to herself 4,
Here, Mary said he, in his usual cold man
ner, can't you put piece in the knee of these
pantalOOns. tore them to-day getting upa bar
berry bush.'
Oh, yes, grandpa, that can nicely and
Mary cheefully drew her little work basket 90
wards her.
Stop minute, child, and listen to me- said
EdwarS Grag to his smiling gTand-child. q
an going away - far as cOlesrOOk, and perhaps
.bsn,t Be back ill late at night, may be moi
t;II morning. Do you fear to stay sloneF