The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-08-29
VOL. VIII.
The Foreclosure Of the Mortgage.

But hadn't no heart to right it, SO I've jest
let everything be.
Besides, I'm going tomorrer-I calklate to
start with the dawn
And the house won't seem 30 home-like il it's
all upset and forlorn.
1 sent Off the children this mornin': they both
on 'em begged to stay,
But L thought 'twould be easier, mebbe, il
was alone to-day.
For this was the very day, Deacon, jest twenty
year ago,
That Caleb and me moved in SO l couldn't
forgit it, you know.
We was so busy and happy we'd been mar
ried a month before
And Caleb would clear the table and brush up
the kitchen floor.
He said was tired, and he'd help me but
law that was always his way
Always handy and helpful, and kind, to the
very last day.
Don't you remember, Deacon, that winter
broke my armP
Why, Caleb skursely left me, not even to tend
to the farm.
There night and mornin saw him, a-settin'
80 close to my bed,
And knew him in spite Of the fever that made
me 80 wild in my head,
He never did nothin' to grieve me, until he
left me behind
Yes, know, there's no use in talkin', but
somehow it eases my mind.
And he sot such store by you, Deacon, needn't
tell you now.
But unless he had your Judgment, he never
would buy COW.
Well, our COWS is gone, and the horse too
poor Caleb was fond Of Jack.
And I cried like fool this mornin when !
looked at the empty rack.
I hope he'll be kindly treated: 'twould worry
poor Caleb so
s'pose he amt like to know.
I've thinkin it over lately, that when Mary
sickened and died,
Her fathers sperit was broken, for she was
allus bis pride.
He wasn't never so CHEEKY he'd smile, but the
smile want bright,
And he didn't care for the cattle, though once
they'd been bis delight.
The neighbors all said he was ailin', and they
tried to hint it to me;
They'd talked of a church-yard cough but,
Oh the blind are those who won't see.
l Fever .elieyed he was goin' till saw him
f-!al!.. here dead.
There, tt.bgs don't be anxious, Deacon
haven't no tears to shed.
I've tried to keep things together-Tve been
slsvin' early and late
But 1 couldn't pay the int'rest, nor git the
farm-work straight.
gUuo ucuIuuua,,,., aA., a. uIit
farm should sell
For enough to pay the mortgage s'pose twill
be doing well.
I've prayed aginst all hard feelin's and to wall
as a Christian ought,
But it's hard to see Caleb's children turned
out Of the place he bought
And readn' that text in the Bible bout wi lows
and orphans you know,
can't think the folks will prosper who are
willing to see us go.
But there I'm keepin' you, Deacon, and it's
nigh your time for tea.
"Wont come over?" No, thank you feel
better alone, you see.
Besides, couldn't eat nothin' whenever I've
tried it to-day
There's somethin' here that chokes me. I'm
narvous, s'pose you'll say.
"Ive worked too hard?" No, I haven't
Why it's work that keeps me strong
If I sot here thinkin' I'm sartin my heart
would break before long.
Not that care about lvin'. I'd ruther be laid
away
In the place I've marked beside Caleb, to rest
till the jedgment-day.
But there's the children to think of-that
makes my dooty clear,
And I'll try to follow it, Deacon, though I'm
tired Of this earthly speer,
Good-by, then. 1 shant forgit you, nor all the
kindness you've showed
Twill help to cheer me tomorrow, as go on
my lonely road,
For-What are you sayin', Deacon. needn't
needn't go?
You've bought the mortgage and can stay Z
Stop say it over Slow
Jest wait now-jest wait minute-Ill take it
in bime-by
That 1 can stay. Why, Deacon, don't see
what makes me cry
haven't no words to thank you. II Caleb was
only here,
He'd sech a head for speakin', he'd make my
feelins clear.
There's picter in our old Bible of an angel
from the skies,
And though he hasn't no-great coat, and no
spectacles on his eyes,
He looks Jest like you, Deacon, with your smile
30 good and trew,
And whenever 1 see that picter, twill make me
think Of you.
The children will be so happy! Why, Debby
will most go wild:
She fretted so much at leavin' her garding be-
hind, poor child
And, law! I'm as glad as Debby, ef only for
jest one thing
Now l can tend the posies planted there last
spring
On Calebs grave he loved the flowers, and it
seems as ef he'll know
They're a-bloomin' all around him while he's
sleepin' there below.
Mrs. Z. T. Corbst, in Harper's Magazine.
AFTER MANY YEARS.