The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-10-13
JERRY'S MORTGAGE.

Mrs. Deane put the finishing touches
to her tempting little supper table (set
for three), tucked Cissy's napkin around
her neck, and lifted her into her high
chair, then stepped to the wide, cool
doorway to watch for her husband. He
came in sight ere long, walking YEARLY
and slowly, as if the fair summer pict-
ure of mountains and green fields
cleaned upon eyes too sad to drink in
their beauty and significance. A man
certainly not old in years, but with lines
of care about his temples, and a painful
droop to the mobile, sensitive mouth,
which showed harassine anxiety
constant, daily struggle with fate. His
wife walked down the grassy garden
path, and took his hand in hers.
"You are over-tired, Jerry. I have
a nice supper for you, and Cissy is full
of cunning little ways tonight. Cheer
up, DEAR"
He looked down with sorrowful
smile, and put his arm around her. "I
am tired tonight, Louie-tired and dis
couraged. L have been to Cyrus once
more, but"
His voice broke, and Louie clasped
his hand more firmly, and raised it to
her lips.
"Never mind telling me, my dear. I
can guess it. He is determined to fore
close the mortgage ?"
eyes"
She walked silently up and down the
path with him.
"My own brother, Louie It does
seem as if he might give us another
chance, but you know how he Is about
money. Since he married that second
wife of his he seems harder than ever.
Honest he is-no man could ever say
that Cyrus wronged him of cent, but
war to the knife to get his ownI'
They entered the kitchen, where Cissy
was beating drum solo on her tin plate,
and casting eager glances at the plate
of fresh gingerbread. "Papa's baby, "
said Jerry, and bent down to kiss her.
He sighed heavily as he took his seat,
! while q tear stole down his cheek.
"Ugly man to make my papa cry, v
said Cissy, doubling up her small fist,
"I-I-jes' kill him |"
The 4-years-old tot had gathered
enough from her parents daily CONVEX
sation to know that they were in some
trouble connected with ga man" whom
she remembered to have seen few
days before at their house. He had
talked loudly and fast, and the mental
photograph left on the waxen tablet Of
| that infant soul would have made an
angel weep.
"Hush sh, Cissy. Mammals daugh.
ter mustn't talk SO. She should be s
gentle sttle girl p and Louie stroked
the little fist till it slowly uncurled.
"Martin Best told me to-day tha
Cyrus has just bought another yoke o.
oxen, and 5000 buggy i" said Jerry,
bitterly, as he took a forced swallow
of tea.
"Well," said his wife, "it can't be
helped, dear. But don't let us cherish
hatred, or say anything we may be sor
ry for. I know it's hard-it's hard
and her lips quivered, as she looked
around the neat, home-lke kitchen, ant
glanced beyond it to the vine-wreathet
window of the bedroom where her baby
eyes had first opened to the light. ''YoI
know different people have differen
make-ups." A great sob rose In he
throat-she gave one look at Cissy-
struggled to restrain her feelings, bu
the food-tide of grief must have way
and, rushing to Jerry, she clasped he.
arms about his neck and burst into tears
just as a shadow fell across the door-wa,
and visitor entered.
In the morning sunshine, in the cor
ner of fourishing field near thrifty
looking white frame house surrounaet
by substantial buildings, a man witt
a bushy, red beard and small, weasel
like, gray eyes, was hoeing corn. ID
was so busy that he neither saw no
heard the approach of footsteps to tn
fence.
"Cyrus Deane. do you know that yo'
are a-sendin' your own soul right stre
to perdition
He looked up, startled. A tall, gaun
female was pearing at him from pa
of glistening spectacles--a woman IN
RUSTY black dress and straw "shaker
trimmed with bombazine cape and
single bow of black ribbon. 1t wa
Miss Mahala Trufett. She was ths
universal village character OF whom I'd
weak and vicious so justly stand In aW
"a woman who speaks her mind-and
very startling way she had OF doing 1
Being possessed of considerable prol
: erty and social position, she was allowe
to exercise her privilege to her heart
content. A tongue like forked igh
ming, when occasion required, but
/ heart o'erfowing with love for the strul
/ Cling and suffering. Cyrus Deane shit
I ed his hoe uneasily. 81 don't see heo
} YOU make it eout thet I'm a-goi
/ any Eastern other folks. I hain't dol
} nothin' to disobleege you thet I kno
ofp'