Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-12-05
HER TWO HANDS.

Old Caspar came home about sunset.
His pick was on his shoulder so was
his old wool hat, for he thrust it far
back from his wrinkled front Caspar
had bend, as if he had been half per-
suaded these many years to 60 on hands
and knees again, SO heavily time sat on
his back, and SO close to the earth did
his daily labor draw him.
He was good-natured, trotting old
fellow, working his mouth eagerly, and
straining his blea-ed eyes, as he APP
preached the towns draggled skirts, for
very thinking of his folks-his old wo
man and his little gal.
There were rows of dismal frame
huts all around, built by railroad com.
panies for the purpose of penning as
many OF their employees families at
time as possible. They reposed, grimy
and barn ike, squat on that sandy
foundation which Scripture condemns,
swarnling with legions of tallow. headed
children. Women, sharp at the elbows,
and sharper at the face, were raising
clouds OF pork smoke from their re.
spective kitchen affairs. In fact the
whole neighborhood reeked with the
smell of grease, and the evening was so
warm Iaplander might have resented
It. But Caspar's nose was not delicate.
He trotted over the cinder sidewalk,
nodding this way and that, glad there
was such fine air, and that his old
bones w . near home.
"Tha- the little gal, as usual" he
chuckled, as ne turned a corner and
found Madgie on her look out at the
gate. She was a comforting sight to see
in that neighborhood, so tidy and fair,
IN calico and braids, and the pink flesh
color of youth. You wondered why
she hadn't been set further up town,
and draped in something costly; why
her def fingers had never learned there
were ten keys TO unlock a soul which
slumbers in rosewood, and which rises
at touch, ike some blessed genii, to
comfort ali ills and fill all thoughts ;
you wondered why some high-bred
But then this old man would have found
it so hard to do without her. Then,
too, Madge might never in her life have
struck the royal heart which was now in
her hands, in which she held her bank
against all the future, and the interest
of which was the only income she
wanted.
"There you are, grandpaln cried
Madge.
"Yes, and there you are, Madgie.
And here we both are, Madgiel" enter
ing the open gate, and casting down his
pick.
He put his hands on each side of her
head, and gave her sounding smack
ON the cheek.
"Supper's ready"
"Yes, yes, just wait till git little
Of the smut of my hands and neck.
It's been powerful hot, dusty day."
Caspar trotted through the little barn
allotted to him, hailed his old wife, who
sat ready to pour his tea, and after
blowing and plunging through deal Of
water, returned to his family with shin
ing countenance and a handful Of
onions. &
81 jist pulled these up for relish
THEY'RE cooling, ingens is. You tended
that ingen-bed, didn't you, Madgie p
"Grandma and II
Sand we wanted some of them in
gems for Market" said the old wife
eyeing the sacrifice severely. awe
amt got no ground to throw away raisin
injuries for ourselves"
"Well, well, mother, pleaded Caspar
dipping his fragrant sphere in salt, "
don't calk'late to pull 'em all. | jis
wanted somethin' refreshin' after hare