The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-01-14

might perhaps from this, Aunt Jerusha
thought, but the poor old woman had o
good deal of doubt about it. The cir
cumstances were unusually aggravating
One of the neighbors had seen Tom in
the hands of Hal Murdock, Mrs. Muir
docks eldest son; and, as he was terror
to the whole village, the case looked du-
bious. Aunt Jerlshs told Bessie all
about it, and Bessie promised if she saw
the cat or heard anything of him to let
Aunt Jerusha know Immediately.
"Thee has been crying, little girl, +"
said the loving old lady. "Is it because
thee has so much to do, dear2"
"No, Aunt Jerusha, answered Bessie.
I want to go to school. don't care,
so much about the work, but L can't
bear to think that I must grow up poor,
good-for-nothing, Ignorant girl" And
now Bessie was driving back the tears
again.
"Thee is both right and wrong this
morning, little girl" said Aunt Jerusha.
"Right because thee should desire to
improve thyself, and should be deter
mined to use all the means in thy power
that al this don't amount to anything
then thee should try and remember that
our time isn't Gods time. Anything
that is right and noble we have perfect
right to strive after. If we can't get it
just when we want it that don't signify
that we are never to get it, only that
God knows best. He hasn't forgotten
thee, dear. Scour thy knives and wash
thy dishes, and be sure that everything
thee undertakes to do thee does thor
oughly, never mind whatit is. BE faith
full over few things, Bessie, and all that
is great and good and true in thee will
one day, when thy Heavenly Father sees
it is time, be brought into perfect light.
Bear and forbear, Bessie, but be true to
thyself and thy honest convictions.
was about to say even if thee has to fight
for it, although fighting is not part of
our creed"
"Oh Aunt Jerusha, you have done
me so much good" exclaimed Bessie.
81 never will be impatient and cross
again, never mind what happens"
"Oh yes, thee will. Don't make
any such promises" said Auntie,
smiling. "The devil is very willy old
rascal, and he creeps into very small
places sometimes. Remember, Bessie,
if thee see anything of my cat thee is to
let me know right away"
Bessie reiterated her promise, and
Aunt Jerusha started for home. All the
rest of the day Bessie scrubbed, and
sang, and wheeled the baby, and washed
dishes and Mrs. Murdoch, who had not
recovered from the rumpus of the morn
ing, looked on and wondered. She
couldn't tell how girl with any spirit
land she knew Bessie did not lack spirit
could so soon be good-natured again.
Christmas had passed, and Bessie had
been quite overlooked. The Christmas
tree in the parlor had been lcade i down
with presents for the young Murdocks,
but poor Bessie had had no part nor
share in the festivities. True, Mrs.
Murdock gave her an old alpaca dress to
cut and make over for herself but this
was all. And for this Bessie was not in
the least grateful. The next day was
New Years, and about as cold as cold
could be. Bessie's poor little fingers
were so numb as she made the fire in
the kitchen stove that it was as much as
she could do to lay the sticks together
but the child kept bravely on, saying
over to herself Aunt Jerusha's words of
cheer which had done her so much good |
the day before, and after little was re-
warded with bright fire and comforta-
BILE room. What was that queer sound |
Bessie heard every once in awhile like |
something scratching and clawing in the
cellar below9 She listened and finally |
opened half of the huge outside door
and peered down into the darkness be- |
meath. Just then cane decided and |
pitiful nleaaO, and Bessie knew that
Aunt Jerusha's cat was down there. Just |
then she heard the boys coming down
stairs and had only time to get back to
the kitchen before they were upon her.
She heard Hal whisper to Frank as she
set the breakfast-table
"We'u let him be there till after din
ner and then We'll take him to the barn
and put on those nut shoes, set match |
to the end of his tail and send him kit
ing. Poor old Aunt Jerush, what do
you think she'll say when Mr.. Thomas
Cat flies past her house ?"
The whole plot was thus discovered.
How Bessie was to manage to take that
cat to Aunt Jcrusha or let Aunt Jerusha
know that the animal was confined in
the Murdocks' cellar was more than she
could imagine. She could not leave the
house until after breakfast and not then
if the children were anywhere in the vi
cinity. About half past 10-a time that
seemed an age to poor Bessie-the boys
strolled off down the street. Then Bessie
concluded she would tell Mrs. Murdock
about the cat and ask her permission to
take him to his owner. This she did
very prettily and frankly, and this was
the answer she received
IF the boys want to have little fun
with that fussy old woman's cat it is GER
tainly none of my business, and if you
know when you are well off you won't
make it any of yours. Just as sure as you
do you'll get yourself into trouble. The
boys expect to have good time New
Years Day. Beat up those eggs now,
and get all my things together for the
pudding, and I'll be down in half an
hour to make it"
Bessie's little feet fairly flew over that
kitchen floor. She had decided to keep
the promise she made to Aunt Jerusha,