Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-10-17

| must have her helped; and | am poor

l must have her helped; and am poor ,
l am poor. am poori"
| 1t seemed to be a relief to madam :
mind that this well-kept secret was out
at last.
MADAM" said the visitor, rising, ~
also am poor"
Excuse me, l pray you," said
madam, her face paling suddenly; ~
have talked much-it is weak. l ask
your pardon"
"When shall we go-when shall we
go in the eountry?" asked Fifine, see
ing pause.
''Thou canst not go alone, little one, :"
said the mother, smiling, and rallying
her spirit.
''Shc need not go alone, madam"
suggested Monsieur Jack, Patting the
child on the head-''not if you will go
with her."
All. What can poor people do: Was
not madam the wife of a professor, and
was not her pride very great therefore
Could she go out riding with an apple
vendor?
''when?" repeated the tiny invalid,
imperatively.
And the mother, driven into Il cor
ner, answered, Tomorrow"
There was little old woman in vel
low gown stepping quickly about a
farmhouse kitchen. The yellow gown
was short, revealing her blue, woolen
hose and sturdy shoes. She was ma
king fine biscuit, her brisk, horny hands
molding them deftly and quickly. She
has set out a round table with white
cloth, taking down the shining dishes
from the old-fashioned dresser.
''They will soon be here, | think"
she says, ever and anon looking from
the great door, of which the upper half
swings in, after the manner of old
Dutch farm houses.
She comes out presently, courtesying
and smiling TO a party who drive up in
a neat little one-horse wagon. This is
my mother" says the young man who
drives the equipage. He lifts down
Fifine: he helps madam to alight.
Fifine's little face is shining like that
of cherub new fledged in Paradise
She kisses the little old mother, and
they are friends Immediately.
She sun shines down on hedge and
meadow, the quaint old house, the quiet
orchard. Blissful scents float on the
air. There is corn rustling on the sunny
slopes, there are blackberries ripening |
in the lane. The whole air is hazily |
sleepy with its freight of sunshine and |
sweetness.
After that rare, that delicious lunch |
i'll the old kitchen, they went wander
barn, to the pasture. where two COWS
stood patiently and stupidity looking
the bars. ''They are tame."
said Fifine, who had once been 10 a
The little old mother
laughed, and the two prattled gayly |
along hand in hand.
Madam, with wild rose in her hair.
strOlled ahead with the elate Monsieur
Jack. Round them rolled the billowy
hills, a faint autumnal haze floating at
their low submits, and the smoke from
there and then farm house wreathing
up TO the sunlight. Some birds twit-
tered softly in the copse, scarcely dis
turbing the silence and sweetness of
the summertime hush. a tiny brook
along the hedge glittered with
flowers. Her companion
a handful of the flaming
spikes for her.
''Ah, how beautiful they are.' she
cried. Glow beautiful it all is here.
One could, indeed, live here forevef."
She glanced about at the purple hills,
The fields, the peace and plenty every
where.
''IIow can ysu have all these glories,
lnd be poor?' she asked. ''In my
country peasant would call himself
rich with all these. He will have many
friends, and his wife will wear silk
gown. He will not traffic i'm the city
with the cdadille."
A deep flush rose 10 the young mans
heck. He did not reply at once.
Madam" said he at length, ''in this
country there are no peasants. We are
Ill free, and We do not care for trifies.
4 man who owns his little farm is indie
he can make his own market
f he chooses. That is enterprise: that
: what keeps the fence trim, and the I,
title old mother Stirring. | buy and
'ell where | can. have no wife to
inject he added, laughing, land for ;
he rest, am, after all, poor man."
such poverty,'' cried madam, lift
ng her hands. "Here, repeat, | could
tay forever, my friend" ,
.'And ,cH you:' said Monsieur Jack,
urning his sunburned face suddenly
lpon her. ''See, madam, how happily
We have spent the day together. Let us
AVE many SUCH"
Fifine came fitting up the path,
and singing.
"Oh stay, oh stay, maman ~ she
rled: the dear old mother will not
ave us 20 away"
''I shall buy my wife a silk gown" q
whispered Monsieur Jack, mischiev !
usly. n
'.Say yes. maman.' cried Fifine.
And madam, blushing and smiling, i
ooked down at the cardinal flowers and II
aid ''Yes." n