Stevens County tribune., 1879-11-27

work, and some day he'll git killed. So
[ hope ye won't take it amiss that |
named it ter YOU
Tears were i'll the good woman's eyes
long before he had ceased speaking, and
she answered:
"You are very kind, sir, hut what can
do2 1t is hard for me to keep my little
family together simply with my needle,
and the coal the children gather from the
track keeps one comfortable, and leaves
my scanty earnings for other needs"
''Yer girls hain't any on 'em old enufi
ter work out be they, Miss Burton9 If So
I'd take one of 'em to help sister Betsy
That would he one less mouth to feed
at any rate, and she'd fare we'll"
''Janey is twelve years old, and has
been brought up to be useful, can wash
dishes, sweep and do q great deal of or
dinary work of household"
"All right Miss Burton. Have the girl
ready when come along back from
town, and I'll take her home with me-"
Again in his wagon, farmer Jones
communed with himself. ."..
"Don't seem to be much Of show for
Il Thanksgivin' dinner at Miss Burton's.
Poor thing! It's agin natur that such a
pretty girl as she used to be should have
married that shiftless drunken rake, Jim
Burton, only to be left with lot OF
young ones ter slave tor"
All that day farmer Jones seemed in an
uncommon grave mood. The town peo-
pie missed certain heartiness in his
manner, and not once did his old boy
like laugh ring out to notify Centervillc
that Joel Jones was in town.
1t was almest dark when he reached
the widows cottage, and furious snow
storm had commenced. But securing his
restless team, he stamped into the little
kitchen.
"It's stormin' terribly, Miss Burton,
and guess your little Janey better not
think of going tonight"
"No, thank you. I fear it would be
too tedious tor the child. But will you
not be seated, Mr.. Jones, and get warm
before you go on!'
"Slim chance for that" thought he.
Rut after an awkward pause he answered
81 would like to have word with you
in private, Miss Burton"
With an expression OF surprise, she led
the way into the cold and cherries little
sitting room.
"Jane Burton" began he, after clear
ing his throat, 'you and l have known
each other since we war children. We
was young folks together, and, though
you war or pile above me, always loved
We. But knowin' I warnt fit fer We ter
wipe yer old shoes on, I never said a
word, and let yer marry jim Burton,
while took Nancy Price. Since then
ther good Lord has taken both on 'em,
lcavin' you with an empty purse and me
with an empty house. Well. ter make d
long story short, haln't Lad you out of
my mind since L was here this mornin',
and my heart is chock full Of ye. And
now, Jane, if am good ernuff fer yer,
say SO, and I'll try and do my duty by ye
and the little ones.'
During his earnest, stammering speech
the poor woman had blushed and grown
like full-blown rose. and actually look
ed youthful again, and like the fair young
girl he had loved before; and tears dimm-
ed her eyes as she answered:
II cannot think tor a moment of ac-
cepting so noble and generous an offer.
Reflect what q burden YOU would assume.
can bring you nothing but a broken con-
stitution and five children. No, my good
friend. I shall think Of you ever as the
kindest and best OF men,"
She broke down compl, tely and could
only extend her hand. The good man
grasped it with vlse-like pressure, and,
as the little woman began to sob, he took
her in his great, strong arms, and to his
ample breast, whether she would or no,
and talked so earnestly and long that the
children grew tired of staying alone in
the dark Gor the mother had carried
away the lamp, and the horses were
stamping impatiently outside in the
storm.
God bless ye, Jane. Yell come to q
big heart and warm, full house." said
the farmer, as the little woman at last
smiled consent, and blushed more than
ever as he fervently kissed hel and took
his departure.
IF ever man walked on air, Joel Jones
did for the next two days, and Betsy de-
clared to the hired man that he acted
"jest like q crazy critter.' He was al
most Omnipresent. went in and out of the
house in state of mental disquiet, and
mixed himself up with the domestic
preparations for the coming feast in thu
most promiscuous fashion. He insisted
upon an immense plum cake being made
stoned raisins, beat eggs-and declared
with many chuckle, when it was a
length finished, ''that it looked for al
ther world like kride's cakel;
And then when Betsy actually iced it
and placed a wreath Of pressed and drieo
gorgeous autumn leaves upon its bulgins
top by way of ornament, he was IN costa
sizes.
"Wal, there it is, Joel, and do hop,
You are satisfied for once. Ye will hav'
grand dinner, and no one tn it." sait
his sister.
'sDon't ye believe that, Betsy. Jis
set the table for fell halt dozen besid
you an me, and see if don't fetch alon.
some body to fill their places when
come hum tomorrow from church.
Betsey gave sniff Of disapproval, bu
continued the completion OF the prepar
ations, thinking what an old fool he
brother was getting to be.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear ant
bright though very cold, and the goo
folks of Centerville were quite surprises
J to see farmer Jones coming dashing u
to the church door, in his fine new sleig
! with most jubilant chime of bells an
the Widow Burton snugly tucked beneat
the robes, by his side. And little late
they actually took away the breath of th
| congregation as they marched up th
aisle-the little woman clinging to hi
arm, dressed in some simple gray mater
al, with rich shawl about her shoulder
the very one he had purchased the ola
D before. and as he said. ssfor sister Betsy.