The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-20
HER TWO HANDS.

/ Ses. Ills pack WIS on DlS SnOulueTSi
so was his old wool hat, tor no thrus,
it back from his wrinkled front. Cas-.
par had bend as if he had been hall
persuaded these many years to go on
his hands and knees again, so heavily
time set on his back, aud so close to
the earth did his daily labor draw
him.
He was a good natured, trottine
old fellow, working with his mouth
eagerly, aud straining his beared eyes
as he approached the towns draggled
skirts, forever thinking of his little
folks-his old woman 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 Il
time as possible. They repose gloomy
aud barn-like, squat on that sandy
foundation which the scripture con
demns, swarming with legions of tai
ow-headed children. Women sharp at
the elbows, and sharper AT the face
were raising clouds of pork smoke
from their respective kitchen altars.
In fact the whole neighborhood
reeked with the smell oil grease, and
the evening was SO warm that the
Laplander might have resented it
But Caspar's nose was not delicate
He trotted over the cinder side walk,
noddins this way and that, glad there
was such fine air, and that his old
| home was so near.
''Thar's the little gal, as usual" he
chuckled, rs he turned the corner and
found Madgie on her lookout at the
gate. She was comforting sign To
see in this nelghborhood, So tidy and
fair in calico and braids, and the pink
flesh color of youth. You wondered
why she hadn't been no further up
town, and draped in something costly;
| why her deft fingers had never learn
ed there were ten keys TO unlock a
soul which slUmbers III rosewood, aud
which rises at a touch, like some
| blessed genii, 10 comfort all ills and
| fill all thoughts; YOU wondered why
some high bred father was not coming
home To her now. But then this old
man would have found it so hard 10
do without her. Then, too. Madgie
might never in her lie have struck
the royal heart which Was now in
hands, which she held her bank
against all the future, aud the interest
OF which WAS the only income which
| she wanted.
There you are, grandpa" cried
Madgie.
Yes, and there YOU are, Nadgie;-
and here we both are, N.i.ie!' en-
tering the open gate aud casting down
his pick.
He put his hands on both sides of
her head aud gave her ; sounding
smack on the cheek.
"Suppers ready
"les, yes, just sait uutil get lit
tie OF the smut of nay a.nis s,..!
neck. It's been = powerful hot,
dusty, day"
Casper trotted through the little
barn allotted 10 him. hailed bis old
wife, who sat ready TO pour Tie tea,
and after blowing and p.."4.ns
through deal OF water, returned to
his family with shining u countensnce
and handful of onions.
Il jlst pulled these up for a re!i.h.
They'r cooling, ingens Is. fs1 tend
ed that ingen bed, didn't you, Mad
gie?"
"Gr2ndma and l."
"And We wanted some Of them in
gems for market" SAID the cid vile,
eyeing the sacrifice severely. ~.
amt got no ground to throw away
rassin' luxuries for ourselves"
well, well, mother pleaded Cas-
par dipping his fragrant sphere in
salt, Il don't czlk' late 10 pull'em all
| jist wanted somethin' refreshin af-
ter warm day. Taste Msdgie," SAID
he insinuating the emerald towards
her.
"Oh, no, grandpa, keep 'em your
SELF" shaking her head and smiling.
Il feel, rambled Casp2r, filing his
senses and his jaw, with perfumed
roots until blind man would have
pronounced him Mexican, if his nose
had sat in judgment over Caspar, Il
rally feel as if | needed somethin' re-
freshin' workin' hard day after day
for nothin' you might say. Sort OF
seein' your work go to pieces under
your eyes, and KNOWN the danger to
them to read"
What do you mean, grandpa z"
cried Madgie, turning white as be:
bread and butter.
why, honey, you see we've picked
and picked in that cut, and the sile' 3
as unstiddy as water. The stones
and the earth just roll on the track
continental. The company OFT to do
somethin' for the cut. Stones as big
as you are Jared down by every train.
But then the road is new yet"
"Men amt got no sense" broke in
the old wife. Don't you see you're
soaring that child to death for fear
Charley'll get smashed. He runs on
the road"
Two blades of keen remorse leaped
from Caspar's bleared eyes.
Now, don't you be skeered, hon
ey." Take an ingen, honey"
He reached over to pet her fingers.
"Charley didn't pass to-day when
the dirt was rattlin' down so. He
don't pass till half after eight this
evening and We left the track as clear
as this table. Yes, sir; them rails are
as free and bright as our tin pans. So
don't you be skeered, honey"
I'm not scared about anything
grandpa said Madgie, TREMENDOUSLY,
but smiling like rainbow.