The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-01-14

na, who told me, among other bits of
news, that the Lyman family from
Paulet were going move to RI: hester,
! and that she meant to sends parcel to
mother by them.
Toward spring received let
ter from my mother, asking me to
come home for little. She .aid
father had sprained his ankle SO that
he could not get about, and that he
wanted to see me. She added that
she did not know what she should
have done only for Mary Winder, a
Young lady who had been visiting
her, and had stayed TO help her.
Mary Winder, said to myself,
and then my heart gave great jump,
for | remembered that Penelope's
middle name was Mary. 1t seemed
very unlikely that Penelope should
be staying with mother, and yet l
felt sure that | should find her there.
And | did.
II found my father looking older
and more feeble than | had ever seen
him. His ankle was better, so that
he could go about the house, and he
sometimes got as far as the barn !;
but he had been obliged to leave .
great deal to James White, the hired
man, and things soon showed the
difference. had not been in the
house half an hour before heard the
praises Of Mary Winder sounded by
both father and mother.
''She says she saw good deal of
you at Aunt Abbey's.' said my moth
or.
"'Oh yesn l answered; she stay
ed there most of the time. Aunt
Abbey thinks the world of her Where
is she ?
''' She is over at widow Browns
sitting with Emman answered moth
er. You know the poor child has
been in a decline this long time.
Somehow she has taken to Mary,
and feels as if she must have her
every day
Suppose you so over and bring
her home Abner,' said my father; 1T
will be quite dark, and the road is
rather lonesome
II fancied my father looked at ME
with a curious questioning express
sion as he spoke, and a dim wonder
crossed my mind a. to whether he
suspected anything; but | dismissed
it at once, remembering the letter
Aunt Abbey had showed me. 1t
can't be = thought he would not
have her on the place an hour.
How did Miss Winder come here"
| asked. as mother followed NE out
70 tie docr.
"'Oh, she came up to Rochester
with family from Vermont, and
then came over here to bring me q
parcel from Abbey. So, of course,
/ asked her to stay and make a Wis
it. had piece in the loom which
Jane Pratt had just drawn in when
/ she was taken sick, and nothing
would do but Mary must finish it,
She does beat all for weaving that
ever | saw. Then your father sprain-
ed his ankle, and wasn't very well,
~ she stayed on, and | don't know
what | shall do when she goes away.
| wish we could keep her always
Father seems to like her too y
said |, my heart echoing the wish.
"'He does ; | never saw him take
SO to any one. He said yesterday
that if we ever had a daughter-in-law,
he hoped she would be just like Ma
! ry.'
We'll, went after Penelope and
brought her home, and many pleas
ant walk we had afterward along
that same lonesome cross-road. 1t
was rather hard word for me to learn
to call her Mary
"Yes, you used to scare me half to
death saying Pen :" interrupted my
mother. Il had to tell father it was
nickname Aunt Abby gave me-
Oh dear, I'm afraid we said and did
a good many Things that wouldn't
bear examination. | have always
felt ashamed of the whole perform
auce.H
Marrying me included, ] suppose.
Well, matters went on So for some
weeks ] took hold ofthe farm-work, and
soon got things into shape again. |
went down to commencement and
graduated, and then came back to
take hold of the harvesting l had
quite made up my mind to be farm
er
when the beft of the harvest
work was over, Penelope proposed
to my mother that she should draw
in a pie ,e of fine linen, for which the
yarn was ready. When she came to
examine the loom, she found the har-
ness in need Of repair, and as making
harness is best done by two pair of
hands, she asked me to help her.
II don't know what the harness
is ~ said !.
We'll, it is the system of strings
in loom by which the threads of
the wrap are always alternately rails
ed and depressed SO as to allow the
passage of the shuttle. These strings
are knoIted in peculiar and some
what intricate manner We were
engaged in this process when NV
father passed through the room.
That's right Mary said he. |
Harness him up tight!'
"'Sbe has done that already, said |
|, speaking without thought
Mary looked scared
So much the better, said my faith
er. Il hope you will both go as well |
in double harness. SO saying, he I
went into the next room and shut the |
door
Il wonder whether my father sus-
poets anything" said L. Mary look
ed very grave, and | had to repeat
the question before she answered.
al wonder whether he does or
not; but one thing | know, Abner? !
| shall not go on in this way longer.
1t is shame to deceive him and
your mother as we are doing. | have
felt uneasy this long time, and now
| have made up my mind | shall tell /
l. in, tho truth tbiS ,-n,,- Io,,'