The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-03-31
HIT's ONLY A DROP"

the cottage where Ellen and Michael, the
two surviving children of old Ben Muir
ply, lived, was always neat and comfort
able, still there was cloud over the
brow of both brother and sister, as they
sat before the cheerful fire it had obyi-
ously been spread not by anger, but by
sorrow. The sill nee had continued long,
though it was not bitter. At last Michael
drew away from his sisters eyes the
checked apron she had applied to them,
and taking her hand affectionately within
his own, said, SIT isn't for my own sake
Ellen, though the Lord knows l shall be
lonesome enough, the long winter nights
and long summer days without your wise
sayings and yonr sweet song, and your
merry laugh, that can SO well remember
-ay, siuce the time when our poor moIh-
er used to seat US on the new rick, and
then, in the innocent pride of her heart,
call our father to look at US, ard preach
to us against being conceited, at the very
time she was making us proud as peacocks
by calling US her blossoms of beauty, and
her hearts blood, and her king and
queen"
''God and the blessed Virgin make her
bed in heaven now, and for evermore,
amen," said Ellen, at the same time
drawing out her beads, and repeating an
cave" ''Ah, Nike" she added, 'that
,00S the mother and the father too, full of
grace and godliness."
''True for ye, Ellen but that's not
what I'm afther now, as ye we'll know,
you blushing little rogue of the world ;
and sorra a word I'll say against it in the
end, though its lonesome Pll be on my
own hearIh-stone, with no one to keep
me company but the old black cat that
can't see, let alcne hear, the craythur!"
''Now," said Ellen, wiping her eyes,
and smiling her own bright smile, slave
off ; you're just like all the men, purtend-
ing to be one thing whin they name
another there's dale of deceit about
them-all-every one of them and so
my mother often said. Now, you'd better
have done, or maybe Pil say something
that will bring, if not the color to your
brown cheek, dale more warmth TO your
warm heart, than would be covenieut,
just by the mention of one Mary-Mary
what purity name Mary it is, isn't it ?
it's common name too, and yet you like
it none the worse for that Do yoa mind
the ould rhyme
Mary, Mary, quite contary?'
Well I'm not going to say she is contrary
lin sure sire is anything but that to
you, any way, brother Mike. Can't you
sit stir, and don't be pulling the hairs out
ID -. -
in it; and I'd thank you not to rnraTel
the beautiful English cotton stocking I'm
knitting lave off your tricks, or I'll
make common talk of it, l will and be
more than even with you, my fine fellow
Indeed poor old Pusheen,' she continued
addressing the cat with great gravity,
''never heed what he says to you he
has no notion of making you either head
or tail to the house, not he; he won't let
you be without mistress to give you yer
sup of milk or your bit of sop; he won't
let you be lonesome my poor puss; he's
glad enough to swap an Ellen for a Mary,
so he is bat that's sacret, avourneen,
don't tell it to any one.
''Anything for your happiness" replied
! the brother, somewhat sulkily "but your
bachelor has worse fault than ever had,
Notwithstanding all the lecturing you keep
on to me he has a turn for the drop,
Ellen, and you know he has"
ssHow spiteful you said that" replied
Ellen sand it isn't generous to spake OF
it when he's not here to defend HIMSELF p
<sYou'lI not let word 60 against him"
said Michael.
ssNo." she said, 'tI will never let it be
spoken of an absent friend. l know he
has a turn for the drop, but I'll cure
him.
s<After he's married." observed Michael
not very good-naturedly.
mo" she answered, "bef0re. think
a girls chance is not worth much who
trusts to after marriage reformation.
cont. Didn't reform you Mike, of the
shocking bad habit you had of putting
everything off to the last and after re-
forming brother, who knows what
NAV do with lover! Do you think thai
Larry's heart is harder than yoalrS, Mike
Look what fine vegetables we have in oul
garden now, all planted by your OWL
hands when you come home from work
planted during the very time which yor
used te spend in leaning against the doo
cheek, or smoking your pipe, or sleeping
over the fire; look at the money you ge
from the Agricultural Society"
ssThafs yours, Ellep," said the gener
ous hearted Mike; "Ill never touch {
penny of it; but for you l never shoul'
have had it; I'll never touch it,
sYou never shall," she answered
oI've laid it every penny out, SO tha
when the young bride comes home, she'l
have such house of comforts as are no
to be had in the parish-white tablecloth
for Sunday, little store of tay an'
sugar, soap, candles, starch, everything
good, and plenty of it."
ssNfu own dear oenernus sister" ex