Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-06-24
Father. won't willows grow from

And they want water, don't they? Is
this one fresh enough to grow
II should say it was"
"Well, then, may be we can have
something growing here to remind us Of
our old home"
In an instant Susie was down from her
pony, and the willow switch was carefully
planted, just above the little spring 1t
would have all the water it wanted, at
all events. And then Susie and her father
rode on to their new home; but there
was warm futter at the young girls
heart and blush on her cheek, as she
wondered, "Will it ever grow:"
The new settlement was a good one for
the Judge, and Susie's willow prospered
famously. Even the rude farmer boys had
learned how it came there, and respected
it religiously, while little paling kept off
other intruders. Susie's heart throbbed
high with hope and faith, at times, as she
noted the wonderful vitality and prosper
ity of her leafy favorite. 1t grew as if it
had duty to perform and was deter
mined to do it well. And the little
spring bubbled up more briskly from un-
der it, and seemed to murmur softly He
will come. lie will GOMEZ,
Still, one year and another and another
went by and Charles did not come, and
letters were terribly uncertain and far be-
tween. All around the world he had
been sent, and Susies heart at times
grew sick and weary in spite Of the will
low.
But she had other suitors, for her
beauty seemed to grow every day, and
her father was getting along well in the
world once more Truth to tell, Susie
had something of Mother Eve in her, and
was not at all adverse to admiration.
SO it happened that one day in June Of
the fourth year Of the residence Of the
Mortons in their new home, just as the
sun was setting, Susie found herself tax
ING a stroll along the shaded roadside ac-
companied by the handsomest and most
favored of her numerous train Of wor-
shippers.
They did not seem TO be in talking
humor. but walked slowly along until
they came to the forks of the road and
paused a moment by the side of the
spring. Here, at last, the young man
seemed to have found his tongue and he
pleaded eloquently and Passionately for
the half-reluctant hand which he had
seized in both his own.
Still Susie was silent. and it may be
that the bubbling spring and the sighing
willow were talking to her; but just then
they heard the sound of horses hoofs
coming at quick pace up the road, and
in a moment more a rider drew his rem
beside them and asked politely II he could
be directed to the residence of Judge
Morton. The Young man had dropped
Susies hand, and, half-vexed at the in
tcruption. was proceeding to give the
desired information, but his words were
not listened to-
The horseman was leaning forward in
his saddle, and had fixed gaze Of earnest
penetration on the face of Susie Morton,
on which the bushes had given way TO
deadly pallor.
Susie. have come The willow
The light came back to Susie's eyes in
an instant, and, with long sigh Of re-
lief. she pointed to the 1.-THE branches
which swept her shoulder, and answered,
Here it is, Charlie; it has been growing
ever since you went away"
Susie's other companion was not OBJ
tuse enough to linger longer in the shade
of such a tree as that. and before she re-
turned to the house Charlie had reclaimed
his gift. The song of the spring only
changed enough to sound like ale has
come-he has COME
Thirty years went by, and the Morton
willow kept on growing, until it became
well known landmark, towering high in
air above the little spring at the forks of
the road. But thirty years work chang
es in other things besides trees, and a
slip from the willow had been dissev-
cred to grow above a little mound in
the village graveyard, for the Judge slept,
like a true American, not with his faith
ers. Everything else had undergone
changes, if not always improvement, and
last came the fearful changes of the war
of the rebellion.
1t was not many days after the Gettys-
burg fight and matronly lady in deep
mourning, supported by fair young girl
similarly clad, walked slowly and feebly
down the sloping road to the spring.
IF there is bough within reach,
dear, would rather gather it myself, and
then if can find where they have laid
him will go and plant it with my own
hands"
One long. sweeping branch of the will
low tree seemed as she approached it al
most to be held out to her with sympa-
thizing purpose, and with pale face and
quivering lips she was proceeding to sew
er the slip she wanted, unmindful of the
rattle of coming carriage wheels. As for
her girlish companion, she had sunk down
upon the grass and covered her face with
her hands. The good lady's trembling
fingers almost refused to perform their
duty and the carriage drew within few
PAGES of her just as she had severed the
slender rod.
''Well, mother, hope that you are not
cutting that for me" said CHEEKY but
snrnemhat feehln ,n;nn from the carria ce