The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-06-21

| that, you cant forget that heap OF golden
curls, just the color of ripe rye when the
sun strikes on it. | never see curls like
them excepting on one head, and that's
under the grass long way from here
now"
The old man sat down on the stoop,
and | saw 1t was because his great limbs
shook so he couldn't stand.
/ sat down too "'Tis rather warm,
farmer" [ went on, standing in the sun
o.day, though there's good breeze from
the west. Speaking about Weston, tho,
don't think he has his fathers mouth,
for Joseph's had a way of shutting tight
and grim, just like your'n, farmer, es
pecially when his mind was made up on
any subject.
'But if you look, you will see the pat
tern of his mouth was cut after Mary'S
even to the dimple in the left corner. |
declare, ii takes me right back to the
time when Mary and [ used to go to
school through the pasture. What
merry, loving creature she was. l always
used to think her laugh sounded good
deal more eheery than the robins in the
bushes, as we went along.
"Don't, Esther, don't y said Farmer
Pike, and he put up his hand as though
it was more than he could bear, and his
face was as white as marble. He hadn't
called me Esther, for more than twenty
years.
Il saw now that it was time to strike,
and says I Eyes, suppose it is trying TO
your feelings, farmer, to talk about them
times, but it is comforting to think you We
got your wife and son all made cut like
a picture there. "WestoD, you dear boy"
| called oat to him, as he was hunting
butterflies on the grass, and he came
trotting up to US, snow 90 and say, grand
pa, won't you kiss me-"
And the little fellow went and lifted
his sweet baby face to the old man, and
.isped out SO pretty, won't you kiss me,
grandPa?" ?"
The old man reached out his arms in
such quick, hungry sort of way that /
was almost scared, and then be groaned
20 Mary, Q Joseph !" in way that
made my heart stand still, and be hugged
up the boy so tight to his bosom that l
knew that he would never let him 90
from him again.
/ At this point in her story, Aunt Esther
stopped and cried, and SO did Cousin
Alice, and thought we laughed at each
other all the time
/ "Well, and what happened next, Aunty?'
[ asked, as soon as | could.
Il didn't stay another miuute, child, I
couldn't. slipped around the corner Of
the house, and hurried home, but heard
a deep sigh as l softly opened the gate,
and | knew that it came fIom heart
that had net wept for more than forty
years. But it comforted me all the way
back to think that if Mary in Heaven
knows wha: have been doing to-day
she'll thank me for it."
/ But shan't we have Weston with US
any more now? How shall we get along
without him 2" l exclaimed suddenly,
/ for all our hearts had grown to the sweet
child.
Yes, we shall have him." answered
Aunt Esther, quietly untyiug her bonnet.
Farmer Pike said more than twenty
years ago be wouldn't trust any woman
in the village but ne to bring up his
child, and he amt a going to think less
of me for this days work"
Aunt Esther was right, Just at even
ing Farmer Pike came around to our
house, leading Weston by the hand.
Mrs Lee" he said, Il amt got any
body at home, I'd quite like to trust him
with, but if you'll take the child, We
won't say anything about the price, only
III see you don't lose by it,"
Acd Auut Esther tock him
But every moraing and evening Farm
er Pike came up to see his little grand
son. and was never tired of Bringing him
sruits and toys, until the little one learn
ed to watch eagerly for his grandfather's
coming.
The little golden head somehow com.
pletely reyolutionized the old man. The
harsh lines on his face grew softer, and
he would sit for hours and watch It's
play, or devise some new pleasure. In
short the farmers life seemed bound up
10 his graDdson's, for the angel had
struck the gigantic rock, aud 10 ! the wa
ters leaped out
YANKEE OUTBREAK "A person of.
L l., IL