The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-07-03

tnOugn plain. more pretentlOuS and
comfortable than the others.
There was a narrow, wall-worn path
among the short grass and buttercups
to the porch, where a bitter sweet
wined its str ong arms. In corner,
under the verdure, was an armchair,
with book on tie seat, and cane ly-
ing across it-a gnarled, twisted cane
of hickory, that Mr.. Faxon looked twice
at. The book he saw was Bible.
There was an old lady with a sweet,
faded face, and snowy cap strings. tied
under her double chin, knitting at a
window near by. but his quiet step had
not disturbed her.
He had put his hand to the KIN ecker;
he took it down again as he caught
sight of this placid face. He stood there
quite still for several minutes. A gray
cat came and rubbed against his leg.
Some apple blossoms, floating down,
touched his cheek.
At length the gentle lips moved.
Father" said the mild old lady,
=. you had best lie down and take q
rest.'
"Such old people! and 1 have come
to take their home away" said Mr..
Faxon.
There was strong pain in his dark face
now as he stood looking down at the
porch-foor.
After a moment, he stepped off the
porch, on the further side, and walked
away under the apple trees.
When Mr.. Faxon came back from his
brief stroll, his presence, as he crossed
the yard, was observed.
A white. haired old man, who had
come to the open door and taken up the
hickory stick, turned back hastily, with
few hurried words and the aged
woman dropped her knitting and rose
up, with a paleness dropping over her
face.
But, while Mr.. Faxon hesitated on
the porch again, both came to the door.
Sad,s tartled faces they both had, but
they were civil. Their greeting was
kindly, as to friend.
MY name is Faxon," said the visitor.
Ct"
We know who you be. SIR" said the
old man-"we know who you be,
though we never seed ye before. Will
you come IMP"
Mr.. Faxon stepped across the white
hall-f1oor into the quaint, cool and COM
Portable sitting room.
The rough biz s papor, like ch;rtz, on
| the wail, some honesty" and dried
grasses in Opaque white vases upon
the high, narrow mantelpieee, uncon-
sciously struck his eye, while he took
seat, his mind occupied with other
thoughts.
"We've been long expectin' you, sir, :"
said the old lady.
Her hands, crossed on the spotless
Bingham apron upon her lap, trembled q
little, but the serenity of her manner
was not changed.
But the old mans eyes swan in tears.
He rested both hands on the hickory
stick betwee his knees, as he sat in a
corner, and bending his forehead upon
them, partially hid his face.
Yes, yes! but it comes sort o. sud-
den now" said the old man.
Mr.. Faxson sat in a speeches. SYM
pathy.
After little pause, old Mr.. Derby
looked up, and met his eyes.
"Of course, it's all right, sir. We
don't question your right to the place,
but we've been sort of unfortunate I
think so-don't you, motherp"
The old lady lay Iback among the
cushions of the dimity- covered chair.
She had look of physical weakness
Mr.. Faxson had not observed before.
She did not speak.
Her husband looked at her attentively.
A sudden flush went over his thin face.
It's not for myself care-it's her!"
he cried, striking his cane violently upon
the floor. "She helped earn this place,
when she was young. There was no
kind O. work but what them hands you
see lynn so weary now in her lap, sir,
was put to. She was up early an late,
always a-doin', a-doin' fur me and the
children. God never madea better wife
an mother. An now, sir. it's hard, it's
hard, that she should be turned out of
her home in her old ager'
Hush, hush, Daniel" said the old
lady, softly. ''The Lord will provide;
and it's not long we have to stay in this
world, you know"
Will you tell me the history of the
place, Mr.. Derbyp" asked Mr.. Faxon.
How did you come to lose it?"
1t was mortgaged, SIR" said the old
man at last, to pay the boys college
bills. You see, we had three children
Selwyn, Roscoe and little Annie.
Mother and didn't have an eddication,
but we said all along that our children
should have; an they went to the dis
trio school an then the academy-an
by-and-bye we fitted them off for college.
Bright, smart boys they were-every-
h.