The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1881-10-28
JERRYS 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 painful
droop to the mobile, sensitive mouth,
which showed harassing 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. have
anice 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. | have been to Cyrus once
more. but"
His voice broke, and Louie cIasped
his hand more firmly, and raised it to
her lips.
Never mind telling me, my dear.
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 1t does
gpnm ac if Ia ,oirvbk ,,,,,o 80 arn4ka,.
chance, but you know how he is about
money. Since he married that second
Tlie 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 own r.
1heyentered the kitchen, where Cissy
was beating a drum solo on her tin plate,
and casting eager glances at the plate
oi fresh gingerbread. "Papa's baby"
sad Jerry, and bent down to kiss her.
ne sighed heavily as he took his seat,
while tear stole down his cheek.
Ugly man to make my papa cry" 3"
SAD Cissy, doubling up her small fist,
"-I-ies kill him !"
The 4-years-old tot had gathered
enough from her parents daily CONVEX
saaGn to know that they were in some
trouble connected with ia man whom
she remembered to have seen few
Gays before at their house. He had
@Ked loudly and fast, and the mental
photograph left on the waxen tablet of
mat infant soul would have made an
angel weep.
Hush-sh, Cissy. Mammals daugh-
ter mustn't talk SO. She should be a
gentle sttle girl /" and Louie stroked
the little fist till it slowly uncurled.
n Martin Best told me to-day that
oyrus has Just bought another yoke OF
hen, hen, and 500 buggy |" said Jerry,
Of tea. VooA forced swallow
We'll, " said his wife, {" it can't be
neiped, dear. But don't let us cherish
natred, or say anything we may be sor-
sy ior. l know it's hard-it's hard =
and her lips quivered, as she looked
around the neat, home-hke kitchen, and
elanced beyond it to the vine-w -wreathed
window Of the bedroom where her baby
eyes had first opened to the light. ''Yor
Anow different people have differen
make-ups." A great sob rose in he
slroat-she gave one look at Cissy-
ssIIuggled to restrain her feelings, bu
ous ~ nood-tide of grief must have way
anu, rushing to jerry, she clasped he
s.lns about his neck and burst into tears
~. as shadow fell across the door wa,
and a visitor entered.
noa IN the morning sunshine, in the cor
't ol a nourishing field near thrifty
hn1g white frame house surrounde,
substantial out-buildings, man witt
SusnS' red beard and small, weasel