New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-11-17
HER TWO HANDS.

Old Caspar came home about sunset. His
nick was on his shoulder; so was his old
wool hat, for he thrust it far back from lis
wrin1lcd front. Caspar had o bend as if
he had been half persuaded these many
years to 90 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 bleared eyes as he approached
the towns draggled skirts, for very think
ing OF Ills fOlks-his old woman and his
little gal.
There we're rows of dismal frame huts all
around built by railroad companies for the
purpose of penuing as many OF their en-
pl0yes' families at a time az possible. They
expose gloomy and baTn-like, squat on that
candy foundation which scripture con
dennis, Bwarming with legions of tallow
headed children. Women sharp at the ell
bows, and sharper at the face, were raising
clouds of pork smoke from their respective
Kitchen affairs In fact, the whole neigh
borh0od reeked with the smell of grease,
and the evening was SO warm a Laplauder
Zaight have resented it. But Caspars nose
was not delicate. lie trotted over the Gin
der sidewalk, nodding this way and that
glad there was such fine air, and that his
old bones were so near home.
'"Thar's the little gal, as usual" he chuc
k1ed as he turned a corner and found
Madnie on her lookout at the gate. She was
a comforting sign to see in that nelghbor-
hood, so tidy and fair in calico and braids,
and the pink flesh color Of youth. You
wondered why she hadn't been no further
ZIP town, and draped in something costly;
why her deft fingers bad never learned
Shere were ten keys to unlock soul which
slumbers in rosewood, and which rises at a
aouch. like some blessed genii to comfort
all ills and fill all Thoughts you wondered
why some high bred father was not coming
nome to her now, But then this old man
would have found it so hard to do without
Der Then, too, Madge might never in her
lite have struck the royal heart which was
uou il her hands, which she held her bank |
AGAINST all the future, and the interest Of |
which was the only income which She |
wanted
"There YOU are, grandpa" cried Madge. |
yes, and there you are, Madgie; ana |
here we both are Madgie " entering the |
open gate and casting down his pick.
He put his hands on both sides Of her |
mead, and gave her a sounding smack on the |
cheek.
"Supper's ready
Eyes, yes, just wait until get little of
Lhe smut off my hands and neck. Its been
powerful hot dusty day"
Caspar trotted through the little barn
aliOLGEu
who sat ready to pour his tea, and after
blowing and pluDgjng through deal of
water, returned to his family with shining
eountenance and handful of onions.
II jst pulled these up for relish.
They're cooling, ingens is You tended that
ingeu he'd, didn't you, MadgieS'
Grandma and l."
o'Aud we wanted some of them ingens for
said the old wife, cycling the sacri-
q a N on n n n l
shrow away raisin luxuries for ourselves"
"'Wel. well, mother, pleaded Caspar,
clipping his fragaut sphere in salt, | don't
calklate to pull 'em all. | jist wanted
somethiB' refreshin' after hard day. Taste
ON Maggie said heo insinuating the emeg
aid tops toward hero
'Oho no. grandpa. Keep 'enG yourself |
shaking her head and smiling.
x feel mumbled Casparo filing his
senses and his jaw with pertumed roots
Hutil Il blind man would have pronounced ,
sim Mexican. If his nose had sat in iudg
ment over Caspar, Il rally feel as if l
needed somethin' retreshin' wOrkin' hard
,iay after day for nothin' you might save
Sort Of scein' your work go to pieces under
your eyes, ana KNOWN the danger " them !
m the road.
What do YOU meano grandpa 70 cried
W'dqeo turning white ots beg bread and
,utter.
My, honey, you see we've picked and
picked in that cut, and the sile's rs unstiddy :
IS water The stones and the earth just :
oil on the track Contineral. The company
rto do somethin to that cut Stones a.
liz ms YOU is Jared down every train. But | /
hen tie roads new, the roads new, yet"
" Men amt got no sesAses' broke in the
Id wife, Don't you see you're steering :
BAT child to death for fear Charley'u ger !
,ashed up He runs on the road" -
Two blades OF keen remorse leaped from "
" . No. don't you be skeered, honey. Take
lie reached over to pet her fingers. II
@Charley didn't pass to-day when the | 10
rt was rattlin' down so. He don't pass pl
| half after eight this evening, and, we u
4 the Hack as clear Us this table. Yes, d
. Them rails is as free and bright as new W
pans. So don't you be slsceed, honey "
Jim not scared about nyssinG, astnd- %
:" SAID Ma4ge, TREMENDOUSLY, but SMILING q
e a raanhOw.
saAere, now, mother. cried Oaspar, ri
fpha9tiy, returning to lis GEaiOns, you ] pa