The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-10-04
VOL. X--NO. 45.

in the morning, the fire was made, and
the kettle singing; wood enough for the
day was at the door; the COWS were
MIXED, ard the table lifted out to its
place ready to be set for breakfast. And
so ten years had passed, and Sarah's
health slowly came back to her, but the
crutches could never be laid aside. Mrs.
Slocum thought, and not wrongly, that
there wasn't such another pair as her
children to be found in the parish. John
at thirty was a splendid man, and Sarah
at twenty-five, albeit her infirmity had
somewhat tempered mirthfulness, was a
noble woman. In Johns clear gray eyes
there was wistful look that seemed to
be pleading for something's look that
one seldom sees in any but the eyes of
women and children.
One night the meaning of the look
was expressed in words. There was no
romance about it, no delightful moon
light walk in the lane with his sweet
heart when his simple declaration of love
was made. The three, Mrs. Slocum and
the young people, sat one autumn even
ing by the kitchen fire. All three were
pairing and stringing apples for drying.
when suddenly, as if the thought had
never occurred to her before, Mrs. sio-
cum said:
"John, Pm growing old, and it seems
to me you ought to be thinking of get
ting married"
"Well, mother" John answered, SIM
ply, 81 have been thinking of it good
while"
A faint glow stole up to Sarah's cheeks,
and faded out again, leaving them paler
than before, but no one noticed it, and
Mrs. Slocum said:
"Been thinking of it, have you, John :?
And who is the girl, I'd like to know,
that you calculate to bring home to take
my placer
"1 wasn't thinking of bringing any
one to take your place, mother-no one
could do that: and, indeed, am not sure
at all that the woman / would marry
would think of me-"
"Stuff and nonsense" said the old lady,
irascibly; Gas if you were not good
enough for anybody Not take my
place, eh7 know all about sons wives.
She's smart enough, and will be turning
things upside down, and Sarah and me
out. It's that Betty Smith, I sup
pose. She's smart enough, I'll allow;
too smart. Why don't you speak, John :?
Is it BettyT
"No, mother, it is"
Umphl Jane Carroll, Pll warrant; /;
fashy, upstart thing! So you've been
taken in with her boarding-school
airs. A nice housekeeper she'll make,
strumming a pianer all day, and the
wheel idlep
"No, mother, it's not Jane"
"Well, who is it, then? Can't you
speak? l never knew but one girl
I'd like you to marry, but I suppose you
can't have her. Why don't you speak 7"
John laughed little quiet laugh, and
said, "Mother, if you'll give me
chance, Pll tell. The girl of my choice
is right here by your side. Sarah, Pve
loved you these dozen years. Will you
marry mef
Sarah's head sank down on her arms,
and she said never word, until the old
lady said, rather sharply:
"What's the matter, Sarah? Aren't
you going to answer the boy? Isn't he
good enough Tor you! You're the only
girl l ever thought good enough for him,
but since you've been lame I'd kind O
given up the idea. What are you going
to say to him?"
Sarah looked up through tears, and
said, go, John, I do love you-love you
too much to tie you to my misfortune.
Find some one else, John?"
I shan't do it, said John; az made
up my mind long ago, only somehow be-
tween you and mother l was afraid to
speak. But if Pm satisfied with you, l
don't know what you and she have got
to say against it."
Sarah Stenhouse never repented be-
coming Mrs. John Slocum, and the old
lady said it was "such comfort that
John didn't marry out of the family"