The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-11-20

I'm afraid" she went on. win Rlance AZ
the pretty blue merino dress and dainty
ruffies s'that you'll have to milk Glover for
me tonight; the company won't leave before
8 or o'clock"
She had meant a diversion, but for once
no answering smile lighted mp the sad little
face, and he made no motion to touch the
food displayed so temptingly before him;
IT shan't live long this way" he said at
last with touching calmness that brought
tears to the girls sympathetic eyes. Il
know I'm CROWN weaker an weaker every |
day. ''See here" and he drew up the |
sleeve OF his coarse shirt and pointed 10 |
an arm scarcely larger than that of three
year old child. 81 shall go to my mother
soon." |
There was something almost OF triumph in |
the unchiIdlike prophecy, and his listeners
rosv cheek paled, and she set her lips to-
gether with sudden determination some
what at variance with the coaxlng gentle
ness OF her words:
"Est your dinner to please me, Joty;T aud
as she left the room the boy obedient-
ly betook himself to the unwonted feast AS
he ate the deathly faintness passed away, ana
something like satisfaction lighted up MS
wan face as, for the tlrst time in many a long
day, he arose from a meal fully satisfied and
comfortable. 49,,
The door was open now, but he did not
avail himself of it until Cordie's voice from
the garden below sounded in his ear, ana ne
crept down the rough stairway, and out into
the pale November twilight, where stood
his Young mistress, her handsome cousin oy
her side and her slender fingers toying with
the yelyety petals of a late blooming pansy
that had sheltered itself under the hedge
from the sharp autumn frosts. 80 =,
"Here he is" and she drew the little fel-
low almost tenderly 60 her side.
The Young man laughed good naturedly
"Why. he isn't bigger than pint OF CIDER,
he said with the tip of his forehnger under
| the bows chin. What in the world could
| do with such little chap2 He might dust,
but don't believe be could even sweep out
the office" ,
SHe will more than pay his way" was the
steady reply, for he is willing trusty, and
| stronger by far than he looks, although he is
| too slender to bear the hardshi ps OF farm
| er's life. Indeed, Lester, and sne ialu
| softly persuasive hand upon his arm, you
must take him; I've set my heart upon H.
| and you surely won't disippolnt me"
| Was the emphasis Intentional or notg AT
| anv rate il decided the question of little
| Jotes fate nor could the discouraging re-
marks of Farmer Blagden shake the young
doctors determination to oblge his pretty
cousin in the choice of an office boy.
II was no small triumph to the warm
hearted girl. as the months went by, toretail
the encouraging reports from her protege,
who, the young doctor enthusiastically oe-
clared. was the handiest, most faithful little
fellow that ever lived, picking up knowl'
edge" as he expressed it, "as naturally as
pigeons pick up peas to which her iatnei
usually voucbsafed the surly COMMENT
"He never showed no smartness at any
| tbeng that set i'm to; an no wonder, WitI
lot n, silly wimmin folks ter molly coddle
i'm ali the time I'll bet he don't git muct
cossetln' from Lester Dakin.
conclusion that never failed to hSing
knowing smile to Cordie's pretty face, 10
, none knew SO we'll as she for whose sake th'
friendless boy was being cared.
Fifteen years have slipped away since IN
, day that little Jote went out from the un
, cougenial old farm house, and SAD ana varies
are the changes that the years have orough
I | to its inmates.
Farmer Blagden is an old man now, 6owe
and gray, weak and tremulous in mind as !!
. body. Indeed, it is said that since his wire
e death and the sad home coming OF his wlo
I owed daughter, he has never been the sam
man that he was before. The old arroganc
: and harshness have weakened into chlials
| irritabiIlty pitiful to see; while to the htti
3 grandchild alone, who laughs ana lroHHS iS
J, his knee, does he ever vouchsate smile {
y Not priefs alone, but business cares an
perplexities have contributed to break cow
|, The once strong, stern man. He has bee
q obliged to mortgage his farm, ana on u
II day of which we write he had come IN irol
e a visit to the neighboring village, ana sittif
e down by the fire, he spread his tremohr
IS hands to catch the warmth, while he
at marked with the calmness OF utter oespal
le eve been to see Squire Barker, and
n amt no use to struggle any longer. 1 can
" raise that five hundred no easier n cou
ID five thousand Everything has got ter go
re the very house that | was born IN, an u
ie farm that I've worked ever since L was ?
is enough to handle hoe. tell you L
o. mighty tough" 10
T. Everything, father?"
is CordIes voice is sweet and pleasant aseyt
III although the pretty color has long SIN
,g faded from her cheeks, aud there are bro
u bands of silver in her dark hair-harAs
,n SILVER rather than age.
,t, "Yes everything. l hain't got sins
ed dollar that / can call my own-the mortga
%, covers every thing" =,
He hung his head to conceal the tears Il
ou were creeping down his withered cneei
N but his daughter laid her hand tenderly I
= on his bowed head as she Whispered:
OK Don't give up yet, father an you
and strong, and / will stand between y
ie, and want as long as live"
!ui Later In the evening the farmer sat dozl
or over the stove, when a knock upon the az
an and step in the entry startled both aims
and Cordie, and neighbor hustled IN, sns
on ing the light snow from her skirt as
ia' said:
Here's letter for you, Mis- Dskin, Il
nei my Nose got over to the post once, az
'ad thought ID Just drop in an fetch II:
IT. Cordie took the letter from her hand, q
examined 1t curiously. :, !,
aer SITS postmarked Chicago" she said 4
ith puzz ed tone. II don't know soul tn
tie that can think of"
not As she unfolded 1T check Tor pnc In
!ct, sand dollars fell from il; and glancing at
nat nat written page she read aloud in her as'oni
.n .ne meDt:
MYKISD OLD FRIEND-lt Is only OF late !
az have learned of your bereavement and OF
"a straightened circumstances In wnicn
hid husband's death lett you, and gladly mas
the TO offer you any assistance that you may IA
i'm | All the money in the world could never
h;s the debt of gratitude that owe you. put
his haps the sum that l enclose may not pf
Gus unacceptable to you just now. nave an
me cellent practice and am well able 20 spar
em- | and IL will afford me the greatest pleasu
han you viii accept IL. Gratefully yours Joi
the "Your bread on the waters has G.
: to back to you with interest, remarked
~.