The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-10-13
JsRRY's MORTGAGE.

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 painful
droop to the mobile, sensitive mouth,
which showed a harassine anxiety-a
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
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. I 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 q cent, but
war to the knife to get his own T.
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 a tear stole down his cheek.
"Ugly man to make my papa cry" !"
said Cissy, doubling up her small fist,
"II-jes' kill him p
The 4-years-old tot had gathered
enough from her parents daily CONVEX
sation to know that they were in some
trouble connected with "a 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
sngel weep:
| ter mustn't talk so. She should be a
gentle .ttle girl p and Louie stroked
the little fist till it slowly uncurled.
"Martin Best told me to-day that
| Cyrus has just bought another yoke OF
oxen, and 5000 buggy !" said Jerry,
bitterly, as he took 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 like kitchen, and
glanced beyond it to the vine-wreathed
window of the bedroom where her baby IS
eyes had first opened to the light. 'You
know different people have different
make-ups." great sob rose IN her
throat-she gave one look at Cissy-
struggled to restrain her feelings, but
the food-tide of grief must have way,
and, rushing to Jerry, she clasped her
arms about his neck and burst into tears,
| ~AOOA
and visitor entered.
In the morning sunshine, in the cor
ner of a fourishing field near thrifty
looking white frame house surrounded
by substantial out-buildings, a man with
bushy, red beard and small, weasel
like, gray eyes, was hoeing corn. He
was so busy that he neither saw nor
heard the approach of footsteps to the
fence.
"Cyrrs Deane. do you know that you
are a-sendin' your own soul right stret
to perdition
He looked up, startled. A tall, gaunt
female was pearing at him from pan
of glistening spectacles--a woman IN
rusty black dress and a straw "shaker
trimmed with bombazine cape and
single bow of black ribbon. 1t was
Miss Mahala Truffett. She was that
universal village character Of whom the
weak and vicious SO justly stand In awe
"a woman who speaks her mind-and
very startling way she had of doing it.
Being possessed of considerable prop
erty and social position, she was allowed
to exercise her privilege to her hearts
content. A tongue like forked light
ming, when occasion required, but q
heart o'erfowing with love for the strug
Cling and suffering. Cyrus Deane shift
ed his hoe uneasily. "I don't see heov
you make it eout thet I'm a-goin
any Eastern other folks. I hain't done
nothin' to disobleege you thet I know