The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-04-03
HOPE
BY JENNY WREN

By JEN WREN
If there is time trying to house
keepers, it is that period called
hOuse-cleaning.
Farmer Gray's wife was no excep
tion-good, motherly soul that she
was. She was up with the lark day
after day. and gave little rest to
those working under her supervision
But as paint which never showed
signs of soil shone with new gloss,
and even the possibility of dust was
removed from where no trace of
dust could be found, her eye bright
ened, and a happy thought would go
fitting through her brain.
''It will be all over, and every
thing ready. before Reuben comes
h0me'
Reuben was her pride-the boy
who, utterly regardless of the clean,
sanded floors, would walk boldly in
where no other foot dared tread,
leaving his imprint in some whole
some mud to mark his course-the
boy for whose future she had woven
such wonderful air-castles.
He must be lawyer, great man,
one whose name she should some
day see in the public prints. This
seemed to her the very height of
ambition.
Reuben was coming home-a col
lege graduate-to spend with them
his vacation, and then back to the
busy town to earn fame. Was it
any wonder the floors, the walls. the
ceilings, must give evidence of their
mute delight?
Trudging along at a slow jcg-trot,
occasionally speaking word of en-
couragement to the tired mare, Far
mer Gray was nearing home. But
a troubled look rests on his face,
very different from the bright chceri-
ness generally found there. and ever
and anon his eye wanders stealthily
to little figure perched on the hlgh
seat at his side.
One can see only the face-a pinch
al x,or,, Hell fooo F-o,>. ,,I,;oI, 500
great brown eyes peer out, and seem
to take in every blade of grass by
the roadside, every leaf upon the
tree, as some wonderful heaven.sent
vision accorded her.
You musn't mind, my dear, if
Mrs. Gray seems a little put out
like when she first sees you. It's
house cleaning time, and she don't
much like strangers botheriu' her;
but she'll soon find out you won't be
in the way. and when she sees the
roses coming back to your cheeks
she'll be happy enough. Only don't
you worry if at first she's just a wee
bit flustered."
"Oh, I'm SO sorry you brought
me, if she won't like it r. answered
the child-fer child she seemed, sit
ting there, though seventeen sum.
mers had passed over her Young
head.
"There. there, now! She will
like it, 1 tell you; and when she
once sees you. and fools sorry for
you. you'll find how kind and good
she is" said the farmer, striving,
with the remembrance of duty done,
to reassure his sinking heart, as he
came in sight Of his own pasture
land
He had gone, bright and CHEEKY.
that morning, into the doctors Of
foo. 10 tell his old friend OF the hon.
ors his boy had won, and that soon
he was coming back to them; and
after the doctor had given him a few
words and warm hand-shake of con
graduation, he had added;
Il was thinking of you, wishing
FOR yon. as you entered. There is q
little girl here who is dying for want
Of pure country air and little nurs-
ng in the way of food. She needs
9lenty of milk, aud liberty to roam
Ill day in the fields. Take her back
With you. Seth it will be the making
IF her. And tell Mrs. Gray sent
Ter, and am coming down soon to
zee how she's getting along, and eat
some of the dainties she is always
preparing. =
It's hOuse-cleaning," answered
he other, and world Of meaning
vas in the short sentence.
Both men looked grave; but the
loctor spoke again:
1--WE can't let the girl die if it is.
tell you, Gray. she is starving for
,ountry air. for green fields. and the
music of the birds. Let her 90. Mrs.
9ray won't turn her out"
So it was decided bat Farmer
Gray's @Whoa!" rang out little
ess loud than usual as he reined up
he old horse at his own door i but
he qafck houscwife's ears canght it.
Ind brought her speedily to the door,
o bid him welcome. and see his