The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05


him looking at mothers and sister Mary
pictures this afternoon. He'll join EN-
soon"
And the good wife looked as if she
would say "Amenr but like wise wOm-
an 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
good sleighing. Jim was early aslir, the
paths all broken out and arrangements
made for cutting the pine woods the next
day, and the household were jubilant over
the return Of sunshine. But grandpa
sat silent in his armchair aud thought
aShall 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 l shall soon
/ 60. I'd better let the young ones have
their way, even to giving up my dear old
bedroom. Only little while shall re-
main; give me peace while do.
Dinner came in good season, and then
Mr.. Lamson thought it would do him
good to take a sleighride to the "store'
and see his old friends. So he walked out
to the barn where Patrick was feeding the |
cattle and told him to harness the old .
mare
Mr. Jim just told me to harness her
! for him; he aud his wife are goin- to the .
4 Corner" said Patrick.
"Well, let him take Dick or Tom: .
want my old marc and you can bring her
around, said the old man, as be turned
away aud went to his bedroom te 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
Alley What's that ?" asked Jim
Wanted to 20 to the store? Well, be
will have to wait till another afternoon.
Come along, Eliza; bring the children;
tumble in there, Jimmie. guess grand
pa will wait this time lie drives alto
gc,her too much for his health anyway.
Add away they went, leaving the old
man prey TO disturbing thoughts Is !,
possible that bis son Jim could treat him
like that2
For an hour or two he sat in sileu;
thought; then he took up a newspaper to
entertain himself But it had lost It's
power; be could not read, and was, at last,
forced to 20 to the barn aud look a, the
stock, aud talk to Patrick, who was very
ready to tell him Of al the work that had
been already laid cut for the coming spring.
Mr. Lamson heard him 10 silence and
asked nc questions, foT his heart was
weary with heaviness, and be could not /
reuse himself to take any Interest 10 The
conversation, and soou returned to the
house.
Before the family returned, however, he
had determined upon the course he would !
take Jim had commenced altogether too /
strong and had evidently forgotten that a
the deed was unsigned In truth, it would /
have been signed aud recorded at once If ,
Mr. Monroe had not urged him so strongly y
to keep the rcins IN bis own hands Al '
though over eighty years Of age he was a
shrewd and thoughtful still, aud he felt {,
that little trial Of the change would not q
come amiss. lie would have seen the pine J
trees cut down without a murmur, aud il
perhaps have given up his bedroom for the n
good Of the farm; bur when his Old Mag c
gie that be had driven for fifteen years, u
was taken from him in such a heartless !,
manner, he rebelled, aud had nov come to D
The conclusion tha, he would destroy the v
deed, but in order to do il calmly aud G.
without the appearance Of anger, he must "
sleep upon it, b,
When the sleigh-bells announced Jim's o.
return, the old man lifted his head looked
out Of the window aud saw the family f,
enter the door without moving from his N
chair, and seemed quietly asleep until tea C
was ready. Then Jim told the news that ia
he had learned at the store, aud Eliza told al
what her sister said about the dairy she NJ
had planned, that Jim had been looking to
at some cows to add to bis stock and 50 on. al
The. old man made no reply bu, Jim did not
notice it, so greatly was he interested in c
bis own affairs OF
After they were alone at night, Eliza th
said :-'Ji im, did you notice grandpa at 81
he table He did not speak one word; pr
not even to the baby. My mind misgives or
ne about him. He looks as if he might u.
have a shock any moment. We ought not a
o have taken Maggie this afternoon il
wall come of it; feel sure it U
vas not at all right. ou know that deed al
5 neither signed nor recorded nj
Then Jim had thorn planted in his in
,illow for the night, but he replied with a ha
mans disdain Of womans wisdom, 'No, m
didn't notice him. You are always on to
be lookout for something ahead If he is
q danger Of a shock he mustn't 90 driving
round the country alone. Then, the sh
,qre IS mins; he koops Il, to- When | su
o to the store he can go along, too. on
The hours as they were tolled off upon IN
he old tall clock, that night crept very IN;
owly 10 both father and SON. But little ed
eep closed their eyelids, Jim being thor lo'
ughly awakened to the feet that as yet "
he farm was not his, and he ought to have de
TENDED to that needful business before shj
e drove to ''the Corner" to tell his friends yo
the plans be had made for its tillage. he
When Jim came down stairs the next ma
iorning his father had just kindled fire ha
the sitting room stove, and as soon as ste
le fire blazed in the kitchen he called to ur'
-, r., oo,,,a -, Tin, ,rcr+ q. 80, 81 WO