Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-12-09
WHAT THE EXPRESS BR OUGHT

WHAT THE EXPRESS BR OUGHT
With roar and rattle, the 6 o'clock
express train rushed across the bridge |
that spanned the narrow river on the
Derwent farm, near Concord, and Alice
Derwent, the farmers pretty daughter
stood on the vine Swallowed porch, look
ing after it, with an unconscious sigh.
$50 many come by you. so many 60 by
YOU. out in the great, wide, beautiful
world" she thought, as she gazed over
the fertile valley farm, and out through
the break in the circling blue hills, from
whence a trail of white smoke came
floating back. II wonder if you will
ever bring me any thing? or carry me
away? or must l live my life out to the
end, shut in by these quiet hillsY'
Supper ready, mOther?" called out
the hearty looking farmer, hating IN
the glow Of the bright freight on the
open hearth, as he came in from f0d-
dering the stock, followed by his son
Thomas, who was the living, breathing
"image of his SIRE"
"To be sure it is" replied his bustling
little wife, who had just such eyes and
hair as bonny Alice. lust the same sweet
smile. "Isn't it always ready, rather,
"Alice. is out there looking for her
fortune. mother" said Tom. ut is com
ing on that train. l know all about
Alice smiled and shook her head at her
saucy brother, as she took her seat at
her fathers side.
Little did any of them think how many
true word is spoken in jest, or that the
fortune the evening express was to bring
the daughter of the house was even then
nearing their hOspitable door.
"Tye worked like beaver all day long
Martha, and Tom has kept pace with me,
and we both said, as we came home, that
we were too tired to eat. But this Is
comfort! 1t would be hard to see any
thing much pleasanter than this NICE,
tidy kitchen, and just as hard TO ma
any of their French cooks that can beat
you and Alice, dear" said Elishu Der
went. glancing thankfully at the blazing
FIRE. the table laidso neatly, the tempt
ing meal of batter cakes and maple
syrup, wheaton bread and golden butter,
and large platter of cold cOrned beef
and Vegetables, that was placed before
the two hungry men.
Mrs Derwent poured the tea,-strOng,
hot and fragrant.
Squire SeatOn, up in the big house
wonder. don't often get such tea as this
with all his staff of servants" said Tom,
looking across the valley to the brick
and freestone palace of the one million
aire of the village.
"POor mani" sighed Mrs. Derwent. 81
do pity him. His wife and daughter
dead. and his only son so wild and will
full and a wanderer oyer the earth. Only
last week he told me with tears in his
ewes. that he had heard Of his boy, and
that he had lately been seen In Lead
VILE, intoxicated and poorly dressed
ina gambling saloon. Yet when ne
wrote there to him-and wrote kindly
he had disappeared. If 1T was our Tom
Eishu, It would break my heart. Tom
if YOU ever do grow unsteady, and ruu
away like Phil Seaton, you will give
your mother her death-blOw."
"Thank God, it isn't our Tom! l an
sorry, too, for the man and the boy. MIR
Seaton owns that he turned him out o
his house in New York in fit of anger
and that the boy swOre he would neve
enter his doors again. Bad temper OF
both sides, you see; and sO-why, Marth
what on earth is that?"
Farmer Derwent might we'll ask tn
question, and rush from the tea table t
the door, followed by his wOnderin
wife and children.
PROCESSION of four of his neighbor
was coming up from his garden, .gat,
At the gate stood horse and light 81
press wagon, and from the wagon, tn
four men had lifted an inanimate bod
and were bearing 1t on toward the hous
1.-THE six o'clock express has run on u
track mile or two up the valley" sal
Deacon Jones, as he and his two sor
and his brother in law reached the pore
with their senseless burden. Ever
many people hurt, but able to go on
soon as they were righted. But tn
moor fellow is so nearly dead that v
thought we had better bring him her
being, as It was, the nearest house, al
send for the doctor. We knew tn
YOUR wife could nurse him back in
health again, If any one could, Mr.. DE
went"
"Your right there, neighbor. Bril-
him RIGHT In here" said the farmer.
His wife led the way to the best be
room, near the parlOr. Tom sprang
the back of his swift sorrel colt and
off for the doctor.
Half an hour later the dishes VIC
washed, and put away, the supper tai
was cleared, and Alice sat pensively
the kitchen fire, while her father a