The daily gazette., 1875-09-20
The Old Mans Sunset Home,
BY. ]. Z. L.

way, grandpa; l wish you could be cor
tent to sit somewhere else besides q
this west window" said dr. -hingly
dressed young lady as she swept int
the family sitting-room. She had no
been very long home from fashionabl
French school in the city, where her sci
hshness, at least, seemed to have devel
oped fully as much as was desirable.
Il came here because the sunshin.
was so pleasant, Sophia. Pears to warn
up my stiff. old limbs better than tn,
| though"
The window of your room is a west
one; ought to know think, it used t
be mine"
| Il know it is, Sophy, but it is kind ot
lonesome up there all alone. Guess !
had better go back, though. Grandpa is
always In the way now, am afraid" he
| said sorrowfully, as he rose to leave.
Where are you going. dear grandpa?
| said brown haired, sunny-faced youne
lady, who just now glided into the room
1 have come on purpose to have visit
! with you"
Il am going any where to be ont of the
way, Katy"
why, dearest grandfather, how can
you talk so? No room is so cheerful and
sacred in all the house as the one which
your presence blesses. What have you
been saying, Sophia?- she added turning
reproachfully toward her cousin.
Nothing in the world worth making
such time about" said the young lady
sweeping haughtiiy out OF the room.
The seat by the window was resumed
and Kate drew low rocking chair very
near it.
Il have been leaning on this arm till
it is all asleep" aaid the old man. ooh
Just see, Katy, how my fingers cramp,"
She did see, and unfastening the white
wristhand chafed the thin arm and hand
TIL the customary circulation was restor-
ed.
Thank you, Katy darling, it is all well
now Grandpa's fingers used to be as
young and quick as yours. Don't seem
so does 1t? don't think your hands are
quite as white'as your cousin Sophy' s
but they are thousand times prettier,
in my opinion"
Mine have to work, you see," said
Kate, laughing; "it would not do for the
little folks togo hungry at home, because
sister, was afraid cooking their dinner
would brown her hands. George likes
them Just as well brown"
He may well be thankful to get them
any way. They are a treasure worth
any mans aspirations"
Shall l read to you, grandpa-I see
you have book opener shall we talk?
| must @ go nome to-iaarrow, you know"
"To- morrow? had forgotten that. o,
am SO sorry, SO sorry" he said very
sadly. Don't read, Katy; talk, if | can
only hear your voice one day Longer. You
are ray of sunshine in this house, and
will be In any house you enter. May
God bless my child.' he added solemnly;
i shall be very lonesome when you are
gone, | know shall. There won't be
any one to talk to then. Old people love
to talk, katy-Martha is kind to me and
makes my room as pleasant as she can.
but household cares and company take
up all her time SO she can't talk with her
poor old father much. Her husband is
away attending to his business all dav,
so | don't see much of him either, and |
am sure John and Sophia think me al
ways in the way. don't want to be a
burden to anybody, Katy" and tear
filled the mild. dim eye.
No one could think so, dear, dear
grandfather. But have seen all you
mention in my lolg visit here and now
| have something to propose. No, have
n favor to beg, request to make, on
which my heart is set, and | want an as.
| surance that you will not say me nay.
| "f there is any favor | can do my
Katy she need not be afraid of any nays.
"Well. then, you know that in few
weeks shall have home of my own;not
| grand establishment like this, but a
| neat, pleasant cottage, suitable tc
| Georges income. Now, what wish tc
ask is, will you not make us happy by
| sharing that home with US? George
wishes it as much as I, and l am sure you
will be happy with US. The cottage i:
far more like the old homestead thar
this splendid mansion. 1t will only bt
ten miles away; SO you can ride over as
often as you choose to see your daughter
Please say yes, grandpa.
Tears filed the old mans eyes again
but this time they were tears of pleasure
''My precious child, you don't know how
much you are taking upon yourself. You
don't know how much trouble an ole
man like me would be in house."
81 do not know any such thing. | as
sure YOU, but I do know how much JOY
and comfort it would be TO US, and what
a real blessing your society would be t
us. and what q real blessing your societ,
would be long days, when Georges bust
ness calls him away from home. Indeed
| [ could not keep house without you,
am afraid, SO We will understa nd that W
have settled this point, will We not2"
II shall be too happy to go an.
place on earth where you are, Katy
even to q strange town. know mos
all the old people about you there il
Horton, and it will seem enough NOR
like home than this place, which is a
strange to me now as it was five year
ago, when l first came here. Blu
what will Martha say, Katy Cal
you tell?"
81 have talked with her all about il
and shesconsents, on condition tina
YOU ride over often" The kind
hearted girl did not care to tell tn
eagerness with which the proposal
had been accepted, "only for tn
children's sake" it was clearly to b
understood.
And so the arrangements were made
and the month quickly rolled away
The little cottage had received il
| e;,uDla furniture and the hest rOor