The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-04-18
THE MORTGAGED FARM.

"Six o'clock" said Marion Hilyard,
looking up suddenly, as the tall, old
fashioned clock in the corner rang out
its shrill announcement; six o'clock,
and obi mother, here is Jenny Lane,
punctual to the very moment. Now
we shall have good news from Jack, I
hope"
She ran out to the gate, flushed and
eager, to receive the letter from the
country carrier; and, returning, seated
herself on low stool at her mothers
feet, and broke the envelope.
On the first glance at It's contents, a
shade of disappointment dimmed her
bright face.
Instead of reading the note aloud,
she glanced hurriedly over the brief
lines, and then silently, with quivering
lip, placed it in her mothers hand and
turned aside to window.
This is what Mrs. Hilyard read:
DEAR MADAM / saw your son a few days
since, when, to my surprise, be expressed him
self reluctant to apply his money to the redeem
ing of the mortgage, saying that he required it
for a speculation which promises to be more
profitable to him than the holding of the farm
j have, therefore, been compelled to dispose Of
the mortgage to a gentleman of my acquaint-
ance, who proposes to take immediate pos
session, and consider il my duty to inform you
thereof, in order that you may lose no time in
making arrangements for removal.
Very Respectfully,
ABNEh HARRIS.
Mrs. Hilyard returned the letter to
its envelope with trembling hand and
q dazed, bewildered look, as though un-
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 a passion
of tears
ooh, mother, mother! what shall we
do? What will become of us?"
"'The Lord will provide" said
Mrs. Hilyard, raising her OVERLOOKING
eyes to the motto on the wall, EN-
broidered by Marion's own hand.
Where is your faith, my child, that
it should fail you in this the very hour
of need?"
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 heart
less?"
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.. Willard being sunstruck; 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 clinging
roses, could have heard every word
spoken; but, absorbed in her grief, she
paid no attention until the name of Wat
Hinton struck upon her ear.
Its true, for certain for Maria had
1T from his own sister, Aggie Hinton.
Says Maria, in 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,
ooh, you needn't; for he's to be married
before long, and 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,
L believe you are joking' when Aggie
replies, If Walter isn't married before
winter I'll make you present of my
new earrings which he has 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 grand party. When the
Hintens undertake to do things they al
ways do them handsomely"
Marion stayed to hear no more. Gid
ing out of side door, she crossed the
garden, passing little Myra, who was
fondling q snow-white calf, her great
pet and treasure, and who called out to
her to "see how fast SNOWFALL was grow
ng."
Poor little sister, It 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 of their lives.
For in that ample, pleasant, old-fash-
toned farmhouse Mrs. Hilyard 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 make a sue