Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-12-12

me your overcoat-it is all powdered with
snow, and"
But Frank interrupted his bustlng, cher
ry-cheeked mother, as she stood on tip-toe
to take off his outer wrappings.
Hush, mother, there is young lady
down stairs I"
"a young lady, Frank p
es, mother; expressed on from Iowa
to old Harrington, the rich merchant He
sailed for Europe this morning, and she is
entirely alone Mother, she looks like poor
Blanche, and / knew you wouldn't refuse
her a corner here until she could find some
thing to do.
Mrs. Evans went to the door and called
cheerily out
Come up stairs, my dear-you re well
come as the flowers of May! Frank, you
did quite right; you always do.
The days and weeks passed on, and still
Minnie Harlan remained an inmate OF Mrs.
Evans humble dwelling
1T seems just as though she had taken
our dead Blanche place.
Now Minnie you are not IN earnest a
bout leaving US Tomorrow
Il must, dear Mrs. Evans. Only think
i have been here two months to- morrow
and the situation as governess is very ad-
vantageous.
''Very well, shall tell Frank how very
obstinate you are"
Dearest Mrs Evans. please don't !
please keep my secret
What secret is it that is to be so reli-
| giousy kept?" asked Mr.. Frank Evans,
cooly walking into the discussion, with his
dark hair tossed about by the wind, and his
| hazel brown eyes sparkling archly.
Secret - repeated Mrs Evans energet-
ically wiping her dim spectacle glasses.
why Minnie is determined to leave us to-
morrow.
'Minniei"
Il must, Frank I have no right further
| to tresspass on your kindness.
No right, Eth? Minnie, do you know
that the house has been a different house
since you came into it? Do you suppose we
| want to lose our little sunbeam p
Minnie smiled. sadly, but her hand felt
| very cold and passive in Frank warm grasp.
you Il stay, Minnie p
mo" she shook her head determinedly.
''Then you must be. made to stay, said
| Frank I've missed something of great
value lately, and | hereby arrest you on sus.
picion of the the theft. -
missed somethingW Minnie rose, turn
ed red and white. ooh, Frank, you never
can suspect me
But do suspect you In fact, am
quite sure the article is In your possession.
The article"
"My heart, Miss Minniel Now look
here | love you, Minnie Harlan and will
| be good and true husband to you. Stay
and be my little wifel''
So Minnie Hlrian, instead of going out
as governess, according to programme,
married the dark haired clerk in Ellison 5
Express Office.
They were very quietly married early in
the morning, and Frank took Minnie home
to. his mother, and then he went calmly
about his business in the wire cage, under
the circlet of gas-lights.
Evans !"
Yes. sir
Frank, with his pen behind his ear as of
yore, quietly obeyed the behest of the gray
headed official.
DO you remember the young woman
who was expressed on from Millngton, two
months since2'
Yes, sir-I remember her. ~
| A tall silver haired gentleman here inter
| posed with eager quickness:
Where is she? | am her uncle, Walter
Harrington | have just returned from
Paris where the news of her arrival reached
me want her; she Is the only living
relative left me
"Ah but, sir, said Frank, ''you can t
have her. -
Cont have her? What do you mean
Has anything happenedY'
Yes, sir, something has happened Miss
| Harlan was married to me this morning.
Walter Harrington started.
'sTake me to her." said he hoarsely =
can t be parted from my only relative for a
mere whim.
II wonder if he calls the marriage service
and wedding ring mere whims, thought
honest Frank. But he obeyed in silence.
Minnie said the old man, In falterlng
accents, ''you will come to me and be the
daughter of my old age? l am rich, MIN.
ME, and you are all that have in the world.
| But Minnie stole her arm through hel
husband arm.
Dearest uncle, he was kind to me wher
[ was most desolate and alone. / cannot
leave my husband, uncle Walter, love
him T.
''Then you must both come and be my
children" said the old man, doggedly
And you must come now,.. for the great
house is as lonely as d tomb.
Frank Evans is no longer an express
clerk, and pretty Minnie moves in velvet
and diamonds but they are quite as happy
as they were in the old days, ard that il
saying enough. Uncle Walter Harrington
grows older and feebler every day, and his
two children are the sunshine of his declin-
ing life. @
The corn crop of the United States fol-
the present year is estimated at the en- or
mons amount of |. .039, 900, 900 bushels. Il
is stated that in the last 25 years the annua
;noraaca5 of the corn crop averaged four pei