The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-08-13

bers Of the kitchen department for
many years, and were faithful and
trust orthy. Hannah was q new
com.r, quick and bright, but firm
believer in signs. She very conf
asserted that when a dog
howlcd under the window, It was a
sure sign that there would soon be a
death in the family. Tom and Chloe
combatted the idea. but little sister
and myself thought that Hannah
knew, land we believed she was right.
"Ask your MOTHER" said Tom;
"she knows all about it."
But we were ashamed to ask her,
when only Hannah believed, and SO
we went to bed without an answer
to the important question. Alas for
our sleep! That very night dog
came under our window and COM
menced dismal howling. Some
times it was low moaning sound;
then a long, loud howl, then quick,
sudden bark, and then again the low
moaning sound.
II was terrible! Who was 10 die!
Perhaps our darling father, and then
we would be fatherless; or mother
oh, we could not live If mother
should die. Perhaps one of us; we
chung closely to each other, for there
was love in our hearts that grew
stronger and brighter for nearly for.
ty years, and then death came and
bore the eldest of the loved ones to
abe spirit land.
Healthy children rarely lie awake
long, and after time we grew very
sleepy. So we concluded that the
best way was TO say, Nov | lay me-
over again, and tomorrow ask mo-
Their about the sign.
School hours occupied most of the
next day, and at evening came the
question:
smother, do you believe in signs!
81 believe in one sing. When my
little daughters como to me with
such eager looks,it is sign that they
have some importantquestion to ask
'Oh, no, mother! we don't mean
such signs, but Hannah says thai
when a dog bowls under window
it is a sure sign that there is to be q
death in the family soon."
Mother looked sad, and for few
moments was silent. Doubtless there
was prayer heard in heaven fol
wisdom to guide her Alright.
SHOW, children. mark well wha
| say. When a dog bowls under 4
window, l do believe there is sigl
connected with it."
Wealmost held our breath. Moth
er believed in the sign, it was true
SHOW, listen. When dog howl
under a window, believe, as gen
eral rule, it b a sign that he has los
his MASTER"
A bright smile illumined mother
face, AID then CAME merry shou
and great dancing about the room
Ourfears were as effectually destroy
ed as if shattered in a thousand piece
With mothers permission, we ra
to tell the sign in the kitchen. Tor
shouted: "Hurrah ] knew miss
would straighten it all out"
Chloe, with serious air, said =
"Children, you should be very thanl
full to God that he has given you sue
good MOTHER" while Hannah e,
claimed 81 don't care ; it says s
in the sing-book." Hannah and h
sign-book soon found a new hom
More than fifty years have passe
away since that evening, and man
dog has howled under my window
exciting sympathy, but no fear. tt
only thought has been: "Poor fe
low, he has lost his master"
But how many other children,n m
blessed with so sensible mothe
have heard of Hannah's 'sign,' I
other signs and been in bonda{
10 a foolish fear al their dayeye
even to old age. Those who te
children such stuff are real enemi
to them, however much they ma
think and feel to the contrary. n
ghost and witch stories, or 'sign'
should ever be told TO children. A
hours conversation on such subjec
in their presence may do them a pc
manent and lifelong injury. Pa
ents should be careful to guard the
children from such pernicious inf
ences, lest they be in bondage to
slavish and shadowy fear all The
lives-ED.