The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-06-22


But Mr.. Lamson had strong leaven
of obstinacy In his composition, and
the more his friend urged him not to
convey the farm, the more he was
bound to do 1t.
So the lawyers Office was visited, and
the deed made out, but as the son was
not there, he concluded to carry it home
to have 1t signed, and asked two neigh
bors to witness it. When he returned
home, the deed was shown to him and
wife, and the eldest boy, and they all
rejoiced at last "grandpa" had been
made to do what was for the good of the
whole family. AT night, Jim laid his
plans for the next springs work, intend
ing to make radical changes in every
thing, while his wife planned famous
dairy, and laid schemes which equaled
those of the milkmaid of story-book
fame.
Next day the winds blew loud and
shrill, and the snow fell ceaselessly, 80
that the neighbors could not be sum-
moned and the deed signed. But Jim
and his wife cared not for the wind or
storm, and discussed their new plans
before the old man until his few white
hairs almost stood on end at the changes
that were to be made. The pine grove
near the house, which sheltered it from
the north wind, must come down, Jim
said-"it ought to have been cut long
ago, father, and plowed up for potatoes
1 shall have the trees felled at once.
And the back lot must be drained and
sowed to corn. shall make the farm
produce twice as much as you did, but
to do this 1 must keep twice as much
stock, and Eliza thinks she would like
large dairy and perhaps you wouldn't
mind going up stairs to sleep, and let
us have milk room made out of your
bedroom. In summer time you wouldn't
mind it, and in winter We'll fix you
some way"
The father made no reply, but he
thought of Mr.. Monroe's advice; and
while he seemed to doze, he was think
ing of his wife and little children, and
of the pine grove he had seen grow up
to tall, stately trees, from tiny seedlings
and of the associations that made the
old bedroom, with its quaint chest of
drawers, its curtained bedstead and old
table and chairs and desk, so dear to
him. Another day passed, and still the
storm ragged the plans for changes were
continued, and the old man was made to
feel that not foot of the land belonged
to him, and hardly the chair he sat in.
Not that Jim and Eliza were unkind
to him, or the children disrespectful,
but the very atmosphere of the place
seemed changed to him, and he went to
bed at least an hour earlier than usual
Jim said to Eliza: Father don't seem
as chirp as usual; hope he hasn't taken
cold. But he is an old man and it can't
be expected that he'll last much longer.
I saw him looking at mothers and
sister Mary's pictures this afternoon.
He'll join 'em soon.'
And the good wife looked as If she
would say "Amenl" but like a wise
woman she kept silence, answering
only by an affirmative nod.
On the third day, however, the sun
shone out bright and clear, and the
snow had fallen in just sufficient quanti-
ties to make good sleighing. Jim was
early astir and the paths all broken out
and arrangements made for cutting the
pine woods that day, and the household
were jubilant over the return Of sun
shine. But grandpa" sat silent in his
armchair and thought "Shall 1 let
things remain as they are? Shall
give up my bedroom, let my woods
my pride-be cut DOWN. Yes, yes, 1
am an old man, shall soon go. I'd
better let the young ones have their
way, even to giving up my dear old
bedroom. Only little while shall /
remain; give me peace while do"
Dinner came in good season, and then
Mr.. Lamson thought it would do him
good to take sleigh ride to the store
and see his old friend. So he walked
out to the barn where Patrick was
feeding the cattle, and told him to har-
ness the old mare.
"Mr. Jim just told me to harness her
for him; he and his wife are going to
the corner" said Patrick. oE
swell, let Jim take Dick or.Tom. /
want my old mare, and you bring her
round" said the old man as he turned