The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1864-03-17

ses Atterly, as he threw an armtul o
oak logs, fringed with silvery gra,
moss upon the stone hearth, cheerily
before the red, roaring blaze that en-
circled the rude iron fre-dogs in drifts
of ruby sparks. - -
He was tall, wiry looking old man
with mild hazel eyes, and skin wei
nigh as brown as the basket of butter
nuts that stood in the corner-a man
whom you might easily have fancied tc
have grown up among those rock
bound, wind swept wilderness, as one
of the steep cliffs had grown-stal
wart, sturdy, and true to the very
hearts core. The room was very plain
with no curtains at the narrow but
panied windows, and no carpets save
the odd zig gag veins in the hickory
boards that formed the floor {; yet there
was an air of comfort in the split bot
toned chairs, with their red morean
cushions, and the round table neatly
spread for the evening meal Over the
fire an apopletic black tea kettle kept
up dreamy song, and Atterly's only
child sat, with folded hands, in the
chimney corner, watching the vaporous
wreaths curling from the spout-a pret-
ty soft eyed girl, with. late rose in the
braids Of her glossy chestnut brown
hair, and staight, clearly cut features
now in shadow, now all radiated by
the capricious torches of flame that
played at hide and seek in and out
among the crevices of the great bub-
bling, singing logs.
Have you been to the post office to-
night father?'' suddenly looking up, as
Moses gave the smouldering back log
a sort of demonstrating kick.
'No, but met Jim .Grayling down
by the hemlock hollow, and he said he
was going straight there; so told him
to ask if there was anything for our
folks. He'll be here directly. Icalcu-
late, for it must be all of two hours
ago."
81 am sorry," said Bessie, almost
reluctantly. "Father, | detest the
very sight of that man."
My daughter" demonstrated Mo
ses, "that amt according to either sense
or gospel" rs-
"Well, l cant help it, father" coaxed
Bessie, stealing her soft dimpled hand
into the rough palm that lay on Moses
Atterly's knee.
Gle always seemed like"
She stopped suddenly, SO suddenly
that the late rose fell out of her hair,
and lay on the stone hearth-for as she
turned her head, see saw James stand
ing beside them, unfolding a coarse
white and red comforter from about
his neck. He stopped without word
and picked up the rose for her.
"Why, Jim,'' said Father Atterly,
"where on earth did you drop down
from? ! didn't hear you come in"
"Didn't you? Pm sure ! knocked
loud enough" said Grayling, with
deep red flush slowly fading away from
his cheek. "Pretty well to night, Bes-
sic ?" =
"1'm well enough" pouted Bessie,
without looking at him, and tossing
herrecovered rosein among the cinders.
Somehow it had lost its charm after
having laid in James Grayling's hand
a second. III
"Sit down, Jim," said the farmer,
heartily.
"Any mails for US to-night?"
Nothing" sj.:.H
What strange smile passed over
his face as he saw the downward droop
of Bessie's Atterly's eye lashes-the
quiver around her mouth.
"Nothing! That's queer. You see
our Bessie's feelin kind o. worried,
cause she don't hear nothing from
Henry Ives" M eeygq TefaL
"I got a letter tonight from my
cousin, who is in the same company.
He says"------ + lAf- iaD
James Grayling paused little ma
licously, to notice the eager sparkle in
Bessie's eyes, as she leaned forward
with eager eyes and intent look.
"What does he say? she gasped.
"Well Pm afraid you'll feel badly
about it; but he says Harry Ives was
captured, with half dozen others, by
a skirmishing party, abouta week be-
fore he wrote"
"Captured !" sfa .aw -
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