Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-01-01
NO. /.

4 NONt~--N up -
and though I've only the old woman
with me, it's often that we barely have
enough to eat. when there's plenty OF
I is-s,.- - - AZ
| whef. We're in health the world goes
dead against US. It is a sort of life
snd-death struggle with US, and some
| times we sit in the darkness and wish
we were dead and buried 'longside Of
our little BERTHE, up in the poor folks
share of Elmwood. That little grave
up there is all that keeps us here-we
cling TO life that we may keep flowers
growing green there. I've stood on
the streets many time. and felt like
going TO death at a jump, but that grave
rose up to warn me back. On my way
home at night, I've feared, time after
time, to find the house deserted or y
corpse on the floor; but that little grave
has restrained my wife as well as me-"
"HOw old was she:" asked the Off
Ger, his own heart aching little.
"Th-three years DID," replied the
man and she was the only child ever
coming TO bless US. We had luck
enough before she died. | had work
day in and day ont. Ny wife was sing
ing the whole day long, and when
started for home at night the know
ledge that BERTHE would be watching
for me through the bars of the gate
picked my feet up faster than anything
has ever since"
"Well:" queried the officer, a the
man paused.
''Well, she took sick and died. I
| don't want - tell you more than that
or iii be breaking right down here in
the street, and the people will wonder
if I've been drinking. IL was three
years ago she died, and her voice rings
in my ears to this hour, the same As if I
had left her at home. It's the same
with the wife, sir--a dozen times day
she runs 10 the door, thinking that she
hears Bertie's voice and never 90 ia
that she doesn't look at me with re-
proach for not having our dead darling
on my arm.
"I've lost two children" sighed the
officer, rs he turned away his head.
"Then you know how the wife treas
ures up the little dresses and stockings
and hats and such things. We put all
those things away after the funeral,
and though il almost broke our hearts
10 set the bundle down and look IL
over, We somehow had to do it every
Sunday, and there wasn'nt thing that
hadn't been tear-wet before the first
year was gone. These relics were our
riches. We wouldn't exchange them
for the wealth of any man you can
name. One day, about a month age,
rag buyer came along. You may think
it funny, but even the poorest of the
fpoOr sometimes have rags 10 sell. My
wife made up little bundle that day
enough TO get tin cup, or something
of that kind-and in some way or other
/ 8src-s frocs-"ur de2.-- .---GS-----....--.. sun
day frock-got mixed up with the rags
and papers, and was sold and carried
off. My wife has done nothing bur
weep and lament since that day, and
I've looked here and there i'm hopes TO
find the ragman and get the precious
relic back. IL may seem a little thing
to you. sir, but To us-we remember
the first time she wore it-hOw proud
she was-hOw we took her out walking
how much she looked like rich
mans child. That dress had more tear
stains than all the other relies. and,
though haven't $50 worth of furniture
IN the house, I'd give every stick of iJ
and 90 into the street to find Berries
sunday frock. don't expect to get il
now. IL has probably been shipped To
the paper mill ere this, and we have
lost it forever"
''Pm sorry" said the policeman.
"And when | go home tonight"
whispered the man, my wife will DE-
standing at the gate, watching and
hoping; and as far rs she can see she'll
know by my face that the search mas
not availed. I had rather lose q finger
than meet her white and reprOachfuI
look | wish we were both dead"
And with a weary step and hopeless
heart he dragged along, having such
mission as neither hope nor despair nor
love brings to one in ten thousand.