Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-03-04

""Si "uiio uio WIG piuuHeu iaWOu
dairy and laid schemes which equallcc
those of the milkmaid of story bool
fame.
Next day the winds blew loud and
shrill and the snow fell ceaselessly, Sc
that the neighbors could not be summon
ed and the deed signed. But Jim and
his wife cared not for the wind or storm
and discussed their new plans before the
old man until his few white hairs almost
stood on end at the changes that were to
be made. The pine grove near the house
\ which sheltered It from the north wind
must come down. Jim said: at ought
to have been cut down long ago, father
and plowed up for potatoes. And the
back lot must be drained and sowed to
corn. | shall make the farm produce
twice as much you did, but to do this |
must keep twice as much stock, and
Eliza thinks she would like very well a
large dairy Perhaps you wouldn't
mind going up stairs to sleep, father,
and let us havea milk room In summer
time you wouldn't mind it and in winter
we'll fix you someway"
The father made no reply, but he
thought of Mr.. Munroe's advice. and
while he seemed to dozu he was think
ing of his wife and little children, and
OF the pine grove he had seen grow to
tall, stately trees from tiny seedlings,
and OF the associations that made the old
bedroom. with its quaint chest of draw
ers, its curtained bedstead, old table,
chairs aud desk, so dear to him
Another day passed and still the
storm ragged, the plans for changes were
continued, and the old man was made to
feel that not a foot of the land belonged
to him and hardly the chair that he sat
in. Not that Jim and Eliza we're I'M
kind to him or the children less respect
full, but the very atmosphere of the
place seemed changed to him, and he
went to bed at least an hour earlier than
usual Jim said to Eliza: Father
don't seem as chirk as usual hope he
hasn't taken any cold. But he is an old
mau and it can't be expected that he'll
last much longer | saw him looking
at mothers and sister Mary's picture
this afternoon. He'll join them soon"
And the good wife looked as if she
would say Amen! ' but like wise wo-
man she kept silence, answering only by
an Affirmative nod.
On the third day, however, the sun
shoue 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 aud ar
rangements made for cutting the pine
woods the next day, and the household
were jubilant over the return of sun
shine. But grandpa" sat silent in his
armchair and thought; Shall I 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 shall soon go. I'd
better let the young ones have their way,
even to giving up my dear old bedroom.
Only a little while shall remain; give
me peace while do"
Dinner came in good season, and then
Mr.. hanson thought it would do him
good to take a sleigh-ride to the "store"
and see his old friends SO he walked
out to the barn where Patrick was feed
ing the cattle and told him to harness
the old mare.
"Mr. jim just told me to harness her
for him; he and his wife are going 10
1.-THE Corner" said Patrick.
well, let him take Dick or Tom,
want my old mare and you can bring her
around, said tho old man, as he turned
away aud went to his bedroom to put on
his outer garments. As be struggled
into his coat he heard Patrick bring up
the sleigh and tell Jim what he had said
about going to the store.
"IIeyl What's that 2" asked jim.
WANTED TO 60 to the store ? Well, he
will have to wait till another afternoon.
Come along, Eliza; bring the children;
tumble in there, Jimmie. Iguess grand
pa will wait this zine. lie drives alto
gether too much far his health anyway"
And 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 10 silent
thought; then be took up a newspaper
to entertain himself But it had lost it,
power; he could not read and was, at
last, forced to go to the barn and look at
The stock. aud talk to Patrick, who was
very ready 10 tell him Of all the work
that had been already laid out for the
coming Spring Mr.. Lamson heard him
in silence and asked no questions, for his
heart was weary with heaviness, and he
could not rouse himself to take any in
terest in the conversation, and soon re-
turned to the house
Before the family returned, however.
he had determined upon tho course he
would take. Jim had commenced alto
getbor TOO strong aud had evidently for
gotten that the deed was unsigned In
truth IL would have been signed and ra