The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-05-26
handsome" shouted her aaugnter-in-

| Il uOn WOuuCl' uS'o
forgot the day gran'f'ther brought i
home, and how | used to tie the chill
dren to the legs of it when they wa;
naughty. I member the time Simon
eat the middle out of two squash pies. =
Wont you let me see the inside o.
| it?" said Mrs. Punderson, trampling
quickly on the old lady's quaverine
"reminiscences.
''It's not much to see," said Mrs
Powers, turning down the heavy lid
which revealed, however, tempting
array of pigeon-holes, little brass
knobbed drawers and tiny closets
Mrs. Punderson, in a majestic way
was charmed and Miss Violet Varnes
was fairly rapturous.
"And you don't know what you'll
take for it?" said Mrs. Punderson,
briskly.
''Do you mean, ma'am, that you
want to buy it? It's not thing we
care to part WITH" said Mrs. Powers,
with rising pride. ''Simon, you'd never
sell the old deskP Would you?"
''Sell it? No. 1t 'ud bring but little. "
"You shall have one hundred and
fifty dollars" said Mrs. Punderson, as
if the bargain was concluded. She
added to Violet Varnes. That's half
what should have to give at Sypher's.
/ will send for it in a week, she said
aloud.
But, madam, began Mrs. Powers.
80! you don't decide this moment.
You'll conclude to let me have it in a
week. Now let me see what you have
in the way of china. 1t was the tone
in which the Car of all the Russias
might issue mandate.
But Miss Violet Varnes, standing in
the window and watching the sky, dis
covered that tickle April had changed
her mood; that it was, in fact, going to
rain.
"We'H leave the china till next
week." said Mrs. Punderson, and she
moved out of the door as if with every
step she were satisfactorily crushing
something or somebody beneath her
feet.
One other caller our friends had that
afternoon, the Doctors boy, who tucked
yellow envelope under the door, and,
whistling merrily, turned ON his heel.
"What is it, wife?" said Simon Pow
ers, "'Tain't his bill?"
Eyes; it's his BILL
elbow much?"
"a hundred and twenty-five dollars"
Simon gave low groan. His wife
stood by his chair and rested her hand
on his shoulder.
''He thinks he's done with you, you
see," she said cheerily. This is as
good as saying you're well again"
Simon put his thin hand on her arm
but said nothing.
" Come, now Simon, don't you get
down-hearted. | believe it's this ma
laria that takes the spirit out of you. IT.
got into your mind, somehow. Just
count up the things you've got to be
thankful for. How many folks have
got three such children as ours, to be-
gin with? There's Sophie teaching
away so smart; getting three hundred
dollars year, and Matte, as good as
gold, the dear, and helps me like every
thing, and Robbie, well-he's pretty
naughty sometimes, but he'll make a
smart man one of these days. l tell
you, Simon Powers doctors bills or no
Doctors bills, 'tisn't everybody's got
such an old age to look forward to as
you and have. Then, think of all the
sewing | am getting to do
g Sitting up night and killing your
self by inches, Sallie,'' he said, fixing
his eyes YEARLY on her "Sallie, what
made you marry such poor stick as
me, anyway? You might have had
Squire Barker. Why didn't you?"
Then Sallie slipped down on her knees
beside his chair and hid her face on his
shoulder. And he had more than his
children to be thankful for, in my opin-
ion.
The doctor wants his money!" said
Simon, at length. II can't blame him.
It's his bread and butter. When l work
l expect to be paid
And he'll be paid. Don't you wor-
ry," said Mrs. Powers, cheerfully.
can't stand it, wife, to take
Sophie's school money! said Simon,
after pause. She wants to lay up
little. She'll want to be getting mar
ried some day. Don't it strike you
that young Barrow is round here good
deal?"
" Well, she might do worse. He's q
young man that's always very polite tc
me-"
They sat in silence for some time; but
both were thinking and to the same
conclusion.
"Simon, we might sell the desk,
ALL"
That's what I can't help thinkin,
Sally"
ave could manage very well with
out it," and she looked round tn,
room. There was a large-fgured
faded carpet on the floor, roomy sofa
and several old rocking-chairs, covered
with bright cretonne and a slender.
legged old piano with three string,
broken.
81 suppose she wouldn't want my
piano, said Mrs. Powers, meditativelv
81 suppose it's hardly good enough fol
her. could give it up, though, bette
than you could your desk. You can
let that go. 1t was your fathers befor,
YOU"
Simon said nothing. When he locke,
round, he saw his wife leaning over tn,
old desk and softly crying. The,
knew each others thought. The desl