The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1873-05-08

1
drawn just as she thought she was 60
ing to take hold oft
Let her have that letter, Dick,
it's for her," said Mrs. Fanning, com
ing in.
"Of course, but that's the fun of il
1t isn't for her, it's your letter." an,
the boy threw it in his mothers lap.
Jenny opened her mouth to speak
but she caught Aunt Milly's eye an,
was silent. Dick danced round th
room on Que foot, managing to get EN-
tangled in Jenny's worsted, and afte
breaking 1t finally reached his moth
er's chair.
| us it from John," he said, lookin,
over her shoulder.
"les, and he's coming home in tw,
weeks"
"Bully for him, don't you say so
sis? What, wouldn't answer its broth
err Thought the letter was for you
didn't you. Many a slip you know
"Dick, let her alone," said Mrs
Tanning, going out of the room an,
leaving the letter with Aunt Milly.
"Who's touching her ~ was the re
ply, emphasized by dextrous tip 0
the chair Jenny was sitting in, which
resulted In flooring the occupant
Jenny sprang mp with IA very rec
face.
Don't go after him. said Aun
Milly, "and don't cry"
"What shall do them"
"Stay here and laugh, and wher
you are ready I'll read you Johns let
ter.n
Pm all ready now, though l d,
think Dick ought to be punished.
"Its punishment enough to be 5,
naughty and unkind. See that yol
do your part, and things will all come
right" Johns letter was like JohI
himself, bright, and hearty, and rol
licking; full of love for everybody, and
full of anticipations of the good times
to come. He inquired after ever,
member Of the family, and sent mes
sages to all, and closed by reminding
them that in two weeks he should be
at home.
Isn't it good letter? ~ said Mrs
Tanning, coming in as Aunt Milly
read the concluding sentences. 81
don't zee why he should care so much
about coming" she went on to say
beating away at bowl of eggs tha,
she had brought from the kitchen
there's nothing very pleasant for him
to come to see. I'm always work ed
to death, and his fathers never ready
to sit down aud be sociable. | some-
times think 'twould be better to try
and enjoy things as we go along, q
little; but when say anything of the
kind to Mr.. Tanning, he says, Yes,
enjoy as you go along and fetch up in
the poor house, that's some folks way
of enjoyment, but, 'tisn't mine II
he's said that to me once, Milly, he's
said 1t q Thousand times"
"There are worse evils than the
poor-house," said Milly.
"Weil, at any rate, your brothe,
don't think SO: but you Amt much
alike, that's a fact, don't see how
you come to be SO different. When
Johns at home he tries to get his faith
or to slack up little; but law! you
nights well try to stop house afire
with cup Of water"
And how long does John stay at
homeo" inquired Aunty.
He'll be here abou, six weeks.
I'm glad you're here to help him
pass the time, for often worry about
its being SO dull for him. I'm afraid
sometimes that he won't care so much
about coming, after awhile
From this time forward but little
was thought of except Johns coming.
Whether the mother cooked, or clean
ed, or washed, or made cheese, her
heart was full of her tall, manly boy,
so soon to be home, and her tired face
grew bright, aud the angles softened,
us, in imagination she heard his fresh
voice, aud his boyish laugh ringing
through the old house.
ave must have Dorcas come over
and do some sc wing" she said to
Milly, a day or two after Johns letter
came. II hav'nt go, anything to put
on my back Of an afternoon. I'll try
to get along with the work and Jenny
can sew. She's better at that than
housework. She made dress for me
this spring end did every stitch of it
herself; and il was done very well,
too"
Jenny likes to be praised so well,
when she's done her best, that | can
easily imagine her pleasure, when she
saw you were pleased with her work. y
well didn't say anything about
being pleased; and / don't think |
looked so either; for I was mighty
tired the night t he dress was finished.
l had been washing all day"
"Mother talking about the dress |
made her ?" said Jenny, coming in as
her mother went out.
"Yes, she's been telling me how well
you did it,"
Jenny gave little seornful shrug of
her shoulders.
"You ought to have been here the
night it was done. l fried the cakes
for supper, and happened to burn one
griddle full. Mother came in and
smelt the smoke, and came straight
up to me and slapped my face. She
said she'd teach me to burn griddle
cakes.'
"And what did you doo'
II lifted the griddle, and pushed
the cakes into the stove, and went up
stairs"
Wouldn't it have been better if you
had gone on just the same, without
noticing the blow ?'
II think it would have been better
ii mother hadn't struck me-"
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled
not again?' said Aunt Milly softly.
Aunt Miily," said Jenny, after
little while looking very serious. II
believe you really think we ought to
be like Christ"
"Well, is that anything new You