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

soon.
And the good wife looked as if she
would say "Ameny" 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 astir, 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 ia his armchair aud thought
aShall let things remain as they are Z
Shall give up my bedroom and let my
woods--my pride-be cut down? Yes,
YES, yes, | am an old man and shall soon
90. I'd better let the young ones haze
their way, even to giving up my dear old
bedroom. Only little while shall re-
main; give me peace while do. p
Dinner came in good season, aud then
Mr.. Lamson thought it would do him
coed 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.
"Nr. Jim just told me to harness her
for him; he and his wife arc goin- 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 be turned
away and went to his bedroom 60 pat en-
his outer garments. As he struggled into
his coat he heard Patrick bring up the
sleigh aud tell Jim what he had said about
going to the store.
aIieyl What's that?7 asked jim
'sWanted to 20 to the store ? Well, be
viii have to wal: till another afternoon.
Come along, Eliza: bring the children
tumble in there, Jimmie. ! guess grand
pa will wait this/time. lie drives alto
cether too much for his heal,h anyway
Aud away they went, leaving the old
man prey to disturbing thoughts. Is it
possible that his son Jim could treat him
like that
For an hour or two he sat in silent
thought; then he took up newspaper TO
entertain himself But it had lost its
power; be could not read, aud was, at last,
forced to 60 to tbe barn and lcok at the
stock. aud talk to Patrick, who was very
ready to tell him Of al the work that had
been already laid out FOR the coming spring.
Mr. I.amson heard him in silence and
asked no questions, for bis heart was
weary with heayiuess, and he could uo'
rouse himself to take any interest 10 the
conversation. sul soou returned 10 the
house.
Before the family returnel, however, he
had determined upon The course he would
take. Jim had eonmenced altogether too
strong aud had evidently forgotten thai
the deed was unsigned. In truth, it wonld
have been signed aud recorded at once i
Mr. Monroe had not urged him so strongly
to keep the reias IN his own hands. Al
though over eighty yeas Of age he wa'
shrewd and thoughtful still, and he feb
that little trial Of the change would not
come amiss. lie would have seen the pine
trees cut down without a mHrmur, and
perhaps have given up his bedroom for the
good Of the farm; but when his old Mag
gle that he had driyea for fifteen years
was taken from him IL saeh hesrles.
manner, he reLelled, and had now come .S
the conclusion that he would destroy the
deed, but in order to do it calmly and
without the appearance Of anger, he must
sleep upOa it.
/ When the sleigh-bells announced jim
return, the old man lifted his head, lookeC
out of the window and saw the family
enter the door without moving from hi
chair, and seemed quietly asleep until Tel
was ready. Then Jim told the news thaI
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 aud so on
The,old man made no reply, but Jim did no
notice it, so greatly was he interested il
his own affairs.
/ After they were alone at night, EliEl
said Jim, did you notice grandpa a
the table He did not speak Oue word
not even TO the baby Ny mind misgise'
NE about him. He looks as if he nigh
have a shock any moment. We ought no
to have taken Maggie this afternoon
Something viii come Of it; feel sure il
was not at all right You know that deel
is neither signed nor recorded "
Then Jim had thorn planted in hii
pillow for the night, bat he replied with :
mans disdain Of a woman's wis iom, HNo
didn't notice him. You are always OF
the lookout for something ahead. If he i
in danger of shock he mustn't go driving
around the country alone. Then, th'
mare Is mine; he keo,os Il, t0o' When
! go to the store he can go along, too."
The hours as they were tolled off upor
the old, tall clock, that night, crept yery
slowly to both father and sou. But littl'
sleep closed their eyelids, Jim being thor
oughly awakened to the fact that as yo
the farm was not his, aud he ought to hay'
attended to that needful business befor,
he drove to "the Corner" to tell his friend
of the plans be had made for its tillage.
When jim came down stairs the mex
morning his father had just kindled fir
in the sitting room stove, and as soon a
the fire bazed in the kitchen he called t
him to come in. Jim went at once, ant
seeing folded paper in the old man
EbaDd he said