Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-17
THE MORTGAGED FARM.

fashioned clock in the corner rang out
its shrill announcement: six O'clock,
and, on mother, here is Jennie Lane,
punctual to the very moment. Now
we shall have good news from Jack, l
hope"
She ran out to the gate, flushed and
eager to receive the letter from the
country carrier, and returning, seated
herself, and broke the envelope.
On the first glance at its contents
shade of disappointment dimmed her
bright face.
Instead of reading the note aloud, she
glanced hurriedly over the brief lines,
then, silently, with quivering lip,
placed it in her mothers hand, aud
turned to window.
This is what Mrs. Hillyard read:
"DEAR MADAM: saw your son few
days since, when, to my surprise, he
expressed himself as reluctant to apply
his money to the redeeming of the
mortgage, saying that he required it
for speculation which promises to be
more profitable to him than the hold
ing of the farm. | have, therefore,
been compelled to dispose of the mort
gage to a gentleman of my acquaint-
ance, who proposes to take Immediate
possession, and consider it my duty to
inform you thereof, in order that you
may lose no time in making arrange
ments for n removal.
Every respectfully,
'AENER HARRIS"
Mrs. Hillyard returned the letter to
its envelope with trembling hand, and
a dazed, bewildered look, as though UNI
able to realize the blow which had SO
suddenly fallen upon them.
Her eyes met Marion's and the girl
threw herself upon her knees by her
mothers side, and burst into n passion
of tears.
Cob, mother! motherl what shall we
do? What will become of us?"
"Tne Lord will provide" said Mrs.
Hillyard, raising her overlooking eyes to
the motto on the wall, embroidered by
Marion's own hand. "Where is your
faith, my child, that it should fail you
in this, the very hour of need p
Mother, it is not so much the loss
of our home, nor the poverty and trial
in store which grieves me, but that Jack
your own son, my own brother,
should have so changed Oh, mother,
/ know that our Father in Heaven will
not desert us, but to whom on earth can
we turn when even Jack can become
worldly and heartless ~
At this moment little blue eyed girl
burst into the room with:
"Mamma-Marion. here is Miss Me-
liza Anderson at the gate in her buggy.
She says will you step out minute, for
she wants to tell you about old Mr.. Mil
lard being sun.struck, and she daren't
leave her horse without somebody to
hold him."
Marion was in no condition to listen
to Miss Melia-the greatest gossip in
the neighborhood-so Mrs. Hilyard,
drying her eyes, was in civility COM
PEELED to see the informal visitor.
Marion, her head resting upon the win.
dow-sill, behind the screen Of clnging
roses, could have heard every word
spoken; but absorbed in her grief, she
paid no attention until the name of Wat
Hinton struck her ear.
"It's true, for certain, for Maria had
it from Lis own sister, Aggie Hinton.
Says Maria, i'll her wild way, if he
comes back with all that money'-you
know his Uncle Samuel left him most
of his property last year-says Maria,
If he comes back rich mean To- set my
cap for him. On which Aggie answers,
oh, you needn't, for he is to be mar
ried before long to real nice, pretty
girl. OF course Maria wanted to know
all about it; but Aggie only laughed in
her mysterious way, until Maria says,
i believe you are joklngp When
Aggie replies, IF Walter isn't married
before winter, I'll make you a present
Of my new earrings which he sent me-
So you see, it's certain sure; and no
doubt he'll bring his bride to visit his
family. and then, tell Marion. we may
look out for 8 grand party. When the
Hintons undertake to do things they al
ways do it handsomely"
Marion stayed to hear no more.
Gliding out Of side door, she crossed
the garden, passing little Myra, who
was fondling snow white cali, her great
pet and treasure, land who called out to
her to see now fast SNOWFALL was grow
ing.
Poor little sister, II would be as
hard upon her as upon her mother and
herself to leave the dear old home,
with all the scenes and objects endeared
to them by the association oftheir lives.
For in that ample, pleasant, old.fash.
Toned farm house Mrs. Hillyard had
been born and married, and here her
children also had first seen the light.
Two years ago her husband-who had
been too little practical to become q sue
cessful farmer-had died suddenly eay-
ing his affairs in very embarrassed
state, and the farm burdened with a
heavy mortgage. Then Jack, good son
and brother that he was, Lad thought
best TO go to the city, taking advantage Of
q situation offered him by distan.