The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-18
written for the Free Trader
MOTHER AND SON.

but very clever people; kind to the poor anu
good church goers."
"The daughter has been sick recently has
she not?"
eyes, indeed; come nigh on dying with
small box; caught it nursing poor SICK wo
man who was deserted in a lone house nigh
TO Washington. But her father and nurse
from Pittsburgh staid with her, so she pulled
through. She Is a gal that deserves real
smart fellow for "a husband, does she not''
"She certainly does and this Clcndennng
is a fine young man, is he not? ~
$50 report says knew him when farm
er's boy, and he was steady and industrious.
The old man always took to him wonderfully :;
the nelghbors generally will be satisfied with
the match"
81 hope So" said Edward, and arose to look
ont on the storm, which showed no signs of
abaling.
For three long hours the wind blew and the
rain descended. Al length there came great
calm, but the night was setting in However,
Edward babe good bye to his kind host and
hostess, and again set forward, Hchad learn
ed through the young ladies at the inn and the
old crone IN the cottage that Clendenuing had
been gallantng Miss Cary about the country
for a week OF course he was making good
use of his time However, thought Edward,
''there is many a slip 'twiXt the cup and the
lip" This was ne Jcrthelcss the last day of
the third year. and if he failed to reach her
this evening it might go ill with him.
The roads were muddy and slippery, but the
daring rider pressed CALAMITY forward AT
length he came to the foot of a great hill.
Somehow the road up the ascent, in the gath.
erlng gloom, did not look natural to him; but
with Miss Vocier he cried, 81 never turn back"
and pressed forward up good long hill Then
there was long, gentle descent. Soon he came
TO house, where he made inquiry of the way
to farmer Cary's.
And sure, Is it farmer Cary's ye'd be aither
findin', honey"
Yes you are very right it is, Pat Can you
direct me the way"
"Indade, it is that can do 1t. Ye jist turn
about and ride up this long hill, then up that
long holler, and by the big black stump turn
short 10 the left, and up that long holler half
mile, then up the hill to your left then straight
ahead for half mile, then turn to your left,
into the lane and the first house to your left
over the hill is farmer Cary's."
by the powers Pat, that will be hard road
to find in the dark. Can't hire you to goI
with me to the foot of the long hill, then
know can find my way aloncy
"By st. Patrick, stranger would, but we
are all alone, an Bridget Is sick, and dare
not lave her"
Here strong voice called out from the open
window Pat, ye spalpeen, why don't We di-
rect the gentleman south to the turnpike then
west to the stone tavern, then north to the end
of the lane gong to Mlsther Cary's house"
"As sure as live, that woman has been on
the praires Of the west, Pat. Isn't she right,
my boy''
ayes, to both OF your questions; had not
thought of that. Yes, my wife was in Hi
nois long enough to cath the ager."
Eyes, an she's goin' back agin in the spring
It's far ahead of this country" came from the
open window.
Pat, | gness she is right altogether Now
please direct me the way to the turnpike, and
| am all right"
swell, We jist kape straight on till yc come
TO an openln' in the timber, then down a little
hill, then bear to the right and ye will strike
the pike; then go right along TIL we come to
the old stone tavern, and then yez know the
rest OF Tie way"
"Oh, yes; thanks for your trouble, and my
compliments to Bridget"
"fer welcome, my laddie, and good luck to
yez"
And again Edward pressed forward. He
soon came to to the little hill the hollow and
the little hill again. He was careful to bear
to the right, although his horse seemed deter.
mined to bear to the left. But Edward knew
that the left road would lead him TO Monon-
gahela City and that was in exact opposition
to the way lac wished to 90.
At length his horses feet struck the hard
limestone road, and bearing west towards
where the clouds were parted and soft light
was breaking forth. In half an hour he was
abreast of the old tavern, and in making the
turn towards the north, he came close to the
blazing windows o. the west, when a sight
met ms gaze that caused his young blood to
start up atrcsh. The windows disclosed long
dining room well lighted, with table spread
bountifully and company of young people
just ready TO be seated
He checked his horse and debated 1T is
long past nine o'clock, and am very hungry,
farmer Cary will have been to supper and
may find Agnes here. At all events will sion
and see"
And riding around in front OF the hotel he
gave his horse TO groom, and going in quiet
liz hn L. L...