The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-08-02


sistent nursing. They rewarded him
abundantly, and by April showed signs
of throwing up fiower-stalks.
Patience Lowering disappeared utter
". It was said she had gone to Boston,
but some said it was New York or Lon
don. Yet one remembered and knew,
because he still loved her; but he held
his peace-for grief.
At last il came-the harvest of seeds.
He had now seeds of the monster tur-
nips. BY every means possible he kept
some of the turnips back late into the
summer as samples of the variety. He
called it the "Good Friend Turnip,"
with touch of sentiment, and he took
pains to make it known that he had seed
of this superior variety of turnip for
sale. He raised new crop in the same
manner as before, and at the horti-
cultural exhibition he exhibited the
"Good Friend" greatly to the aston
ishment of the rural mind. The like OF
these turnips had never been seen, and
every farmer for miles around was in
want of the seed. A certain seed-dealer
came anxiously to the house one even
ing, and asked the price of the whole lot
of seed-about half pint. The young
man suddenly changed his tactics, and
said there would be no seeds of the
"Good Friend" for sale till another
year. The result was that every one
was more eager to purchase, and the
young man took orders for the next
crop of seeds, at the rate of 20 cents for
single seed.
| The snow covered all the land and
blocked the railroads in every direc-
ton. It was past 8 o'clock when the
last train came in from the city, four
hours late. The passengers struggled
sleepily out of the snow.covered cars,
and stood shivering in the desolate sta
ton, fearing to venture into the desert
ed streets OF the town. The tall shoe
shops stood grim and white in the night,
their many windows, dull like glazed
eyes, staring out on the night and storm.
Cali out, John?" said the station
master to brakeman who had passed
through the train.
emo; there's woman asleep here.
What shall / do with her?
" Rout her out. We can't stay here
all night"
The brakeman did his duty as kindly
as he knew, and the woman took up her
child. wrapped it in a faded shawl and
stumbled out of the car, and crept
along the platform to the street door.
The station master stood by the door,
keys in hand, as if to lock up. The
woman paused moment at the en-
trance of the deserted snow-covered
street, and asked if there was cheap
boarding-place near by. The man knew
of none, save the hotel up in the town,
and then he moved the door as if to urge
her out into the street. She took the
hint and went out, and instantly the
door closed behind her, and she was
alone in the streets Of her native town.
She tried to recall the houses and
streets, but could make nothing famil-
lar, SO greatly had everything changed.
She walked on for some time, little
needing or caring, so long as she went
on and on from the terror behind. She
passed several streets, and she saw q
light, and, going toward it, found it was
a warehouse, where the clerks were still
busy late into the night. By the aid of
of golden turnip, with this legend be-
| uedJu IL Lie OOOu TTltuu.
Suddenly the door opened, and some
one came out and started to walk briskfy
up the street. 1t seemed as If her knees
gave way beneath her, and she sank
down in the snow.
"My good woman, it is late to be out.
Why do you not go home? All pardon
me. Perhaps you are i'll ?"
He took match from his pocket, and
when it blazed up he held it close to her
face. She tried to hide her face with
her arm, but he gently drew it away.
Suddenly there was loud call, and
that was all she remembered, till some
time after she was awaked to sense and
feeling by warmth and light. She was
upon bed, and an elderly gentleman
stood over her with bottle and spoon
in his hand.
"Take little of the wine, madam,
and we'll soon have you all right. ~
Seeing that her eyes wandered, he add
ed: "Never fear; am the doctor. The
child is safe"
She sat up on the bed, and looked
round the room.
"This is not the hospital?"
"No; something better. Drink this,
and you will soon feel stronger"
She drank the wine, and then lay
back on the pillow and tried to recall
her scattered thoughts. On the wall was
a Autograph of number of turnips--
absurd and monster turnips, fit for the
feeding of mighty family. Beside
this were pictures OF other vegetables,
and all of inordinate proportions. Sud
denly she laughed, and then the tears
came. Itwas all so strange and so wild.
ly improbable.
There were footsteps in the room, and
she listened eagerly. A shadow fell
on the bed, and some one stood before
her.
Patience"
She was startled, and turned away in
mingled shame and grief. It was
true; it was his house, his home,
and All there was another near-a
woman.
Patience, do you not know mea"
What could she do or say? Hel
mouth was parched, and the sobs
choked her speech. She did nothing
till at last he took her hand, and ther
her thin fingers frightened round his as
| III seeking helm protection forgiveness