The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-12-04

Jim said to Eliza "Father don't seem
as chirk as usual hope he hasn't taken
any cold. But he is an old man and it
can't be expected that he'll last much
longer. saw him looking at mother S
and sister Mary'spictures this afternoon.
He'll join 'em soon."
And the good wife looked as il she
would say "Amen I" but like a wise
woman she kept silence, answering only
by an affirmative nod.
On the third day, however, the sun
shone bright and clear and the snow had
fallen in just sufficient quantity to make
gocd sleighing. Jim was early astir, the
nssess AL broken. out and arrangements
made for cutting the pine woods the
next day, and the household were jubi-
lent over the return of sunshine. But
"grandpa" sat silent in his armchair and
thought "Shall let things remain as
they are Shall give up my bedroom
and let my woods-my pride-be cut
down ? Yes, yes, yes, ! am an old man
and shall soon go. I'd better let the
young ones have their way, even to CIV
ing up my dear old bedroom. Only a
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 sleig.ride to the "store"
and see his old friends. So he walked
out to the barn where Patrick was feed
ing the cattle and told him to harness
the old mare.
"Mr. Jim just told me to harness her
for him he and his wife are going to
"the Corner" said Patrick.
"Well, let him take Dick or Tom |
want my old mare and you can bring
her around" said the old man, as he
turned away and went to his bedroom
to put on his outer garments. As he
struggled into his coat he heard Patrick
bring up the sleigh and tell Jim what he
had said about going to the store.
"Hey What's that? ?" asked Jim.-
"Wanted to go to the store1 Well, he
will have to wait till another afternoon.
Come along, Eliza bring the children;
tumble in there, Jimmie. lguessg grand
pa will wait this time, He drives alto
gether too much for his health, any
way"
And away they went, leaving the old
man prey to disturbing thoughts. Is
it possible that his son Jim could treat
him like that1
For an hour or two he sat in silent
thought ; then took up newspaper to
entertain himself. But it had lost its
power he could not read, and was, at
last, forced to go to the barn and look
at the stock, and talk to Patrick, who
was very ready to tell him of all the
work that had been already laid out for
the coming spring. Mr.. Lamson heard
him in silence and asked no questions,
for his heart was weary with heaviness,
and he could not rouse himself to take
any interest in the conversation, and
soon returned to the house.
Before the family returned, however,
he had determined upon the course he
would take. Jim had commenced alto
gether too strong and had evidently for
gotten that the deed was unsigned. In
truth, it would have been signed and re-
corded at once il Mr.. Munroe had not
urged him so strongly to keep the reins
in his own hands. Although over eigh-
ty years of age he was shrewd and
thoughtful still, and he felt that little
trial of the change would not come amiss.
He would have seen the pine trees cut
down without murmur, and perhaps
have given up his bedroom for the good
of the farm but when his old Maggie
that he had driven for fifteen years, was
taken from him in such heartless man
ner, he rebelled, and had now come to
the conclusion that he would destroy
the deed, but in order to do it calmly
and without the appearance Of anger,
he must sleep upon it.
When thesleigh-bellsa announced Jim's
return, the old man lifted his head, look
ed out of the window and saw the fam
lily enter the door without moving from
his chair, and seemed quietly asleep
until tea was ready. Then Jim told the
news that he had learned at the store,
and Eliza told what her sister said about
the dairy she had planned, that Jim had
been looking at some COWS to add to
his stock and so on. The old man made
no reply, but Jim did not notice it, so
greatly was he interested in his own af-
fairs.
After they were alone at night, Eliza
said: "Jim, did you notice grandpa at
the table ? He did not speak one word
not even to the baby. My mind mis-
gives me about him. He looks as il he
might have a shock any moment. We
ought not to have taken Maggie this af-
ternoon. Something will come Of it |;
! feel sure it was not at all right. You
know that deed is neither signed nor re-
corded"
Then Jim had a thorn planted in his
pillow for the night, but he replied with
mans disdain of woman's wisdom,
"No, ! didn't notice him. You are
always on the lookout for something
ahead. II he is in danger OF shock he
mustn't 60 driving around the country
alone. Then, the mare is mine he
ksosos IL too ! When | 60 to the store
he can so along, hoo."
The hours as they were tolled off upon
the old, tall clock, that night, crept very
slowly to both father and son. But little
sleep closed their eyelids, Jim being
thoroughly awakened to the fact that as
yet the farm was not his, and that he
ought to have attended to that needful
business before he droveto "the Corner"
to tell his friends Of the plans he had
made for its tillage.
When Jim came down stairs the next
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