The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-02-03

Wnefe Judge walton lives. but tnat
was just nothing to what came after
ward When father fixed up this cot
tage and brought us here, it seemed SO
bright and coy such a dear little
home in nest Of flowers - that we
didn't miss the grand home so very
much. But, then. father was sick SO
long, we had to mortgage it to live, and
now he is dead, and we must lose even
this home, and there's no place for us
to go in all the world"
The brave boy, who had been such
tower of strength to his feeble mother,
who had comforted, and planned, and
worked with such untiring cheerfulness,
broke down, and great sobs shook his
slender form, MS he laid his brown head
in his mothers lap.
"Just to think" he sobbed, "that
the Judge, who has so much, must take
this pretty home, too / don't believe
God cares for us any more, or he would
help us now."
Frank |"
There was reproachful tone in the
mothers voice, seldom used when speak
ing to her boy.
"Well, mother, suppose God really
does care, only we cane understand why
he should make us suffer so much. Only
think, when l went to Judge Walton's
to-day, and begged so earnestly that he
would let us stay here, when told him
that father had died here, and that the
little home was very dear TO my sick
mother, and that would pay him every
cent OF rent, if he would only give me
time. he actually laughed in my face"
A crimson flush spread over the boys
white brow, and flash OF anger deep
ened in his brown eyes.
Eyes, mother, ne laughed-such n
scornful. contemptuous laugh - and
leaned back IN his chair, eying me coolly
from head to foot, as though measuring
my height, then he said. sarcastically:
I" Want 10 speculate with any OF your
spare money, after supporting the fami-
ly and paying rent?'
Z" didn't dare answer him, mother-I
should have said something dreadfulIy
disrespectful if l had /; so just snatched
up my hat and ran out of the room. AS
l reached the hall l saw his little Elsie
standing there, with two big tears in her
round, baby eyes. She slipped a soft
little hand into mine, and whispered
"'Essie loves 90. Essie SO sorry
naughty papa Essie div 90 her pen
n.y.
"Oh, mother, how can such a man as
Judge Walton have such sweet little
girl as.Elsie?"
at may be-" replied his mother,
thoughtfully, "that God will reach his
heart through her.
ct believe it is the only way posi-
ble," said Frank, vehemently. Moth
ing short of an angel could ever reach
his stony heart. At any rate, he might
him any. Now, I've got a place in Mr..
Barlow's store, with pretty good wages,
and the promise of better ii | prove
faithful. Why, mother, would work
my fingers to the bone, if need be, just
to keep you In the dear home where IA
Their died.
"No, my dear boy, it would be self
ish and wrong for me to stay here If it
made it harder for you. But L had
thought, perhaps, the Judge Well,
never mind; we will not talk about it.
The darkest page in the future is not
leaving the Old home, Frank"
"What is it, mother?"
cit is that all thoughts of your edu-
cation must now be given up"
Frank did not answer, but a wistful,
far-away look crept into his eyes, as the
dusky shadows OF twilight settled over
mother and son, sitting together on the
little porch. The sweet June air was
fragrant with the breath of the blossoms
that filed the yard.
II fbnx
thinking of the dreaded morrow, when
they must forever leave the home made
dear TO them in so many ways.
Mrs. Rea was just recovering from a
long illness, brought on by fatigue and
mental suffering at the time OF her hus-
bands death, and she was in no condi-
ton to meet bravely the new trouble
that awaited her. --e-
At last, pressing a loving kiss on
Franks brow, she said, in low tone:
"Let us leave the future in Gods
hands, my son, feeling sure that lie
knows best. And now it is getting late,
and, as there will be much to do to-mor-
row, we had better go to bed and get
| what rest We can.
After kissing his mother good might,
Frank went up to his room. As he
stood in the door faint CLEAN of moon
light shone in through the bright, south
window. The muslin curtains were
drawn back to let in the summer air,
and as Franks yes rested first on one
object, then another, in the little room,
his heart gave a great throb of pain, for
tomorrow he must leave it all.
Instead of going directly to bed, he
threw himself on couch that stood
across one corner OF the room, and
watched the moonlight with fearful
eyes.
He never knew how long he lay there,
but he was aroused by the cry of "Fire, F"
and, springing to his feet, he rushed
down the stairs and out into the
sultry summer night.
A lurid CLEAN shot into the sky in the
direction OF Judge Walton's home. A
few moments later and the boy was
standing in the midst of an excited
crowd. The fire had made such rapid
progress that there was no hope of saw
ing the house. --
The servants were huddled tooether