The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-08-08


trunk. If things have got to this
pass, it's high time left the house.
Just as you please, said MIR.
Eden.
And his wife went away, too an
cry to cry. and Indignantly question
ing herself why she hadn't married
Hezekiah Williams, twenty odd
wears ago. instead of bestowing her
hand Oh Joshua Eden.
All day long an armed neutrality
peryaded the low-roofed, cozy old
farmhouse. Mr.. Eden was silent.
Mrs. Eden busted herself about her
packing. And, just at twilight, when
the spicy odor from the bed of white
and crimson clover-pinks floated in
to the window, a neighbor came
hurriedly along.
There's bad news" said he. Jim
Cole has Just come from the fair
grounds. There was a runaway
team there, and your Rosa was
knocked down and killed
'Rosar cried Mrs. Eden, with a
gasp.
'Rosar groaned the farmer, drop
ping the piece of harness which he
was laboriously mending.
They're bringing her up the
street now," said the neighbor.
Body came down on the afternoon
train. They do say she's dreadful
disfigured!'
He hurried along to meet the little
cortege, now scarcely visible down
the darkening rood. Mrs. Eden
ran up to her husband, and threw
her arms around his neck.
Joshua = she cried. oh, Joshua,
forgive mel | never meant it. !
loved the poor darling all the while.
Oh, Rosa, my little Rosar
Don't fret, wife, huskily whisper
ed the farmer. 1t amt your fault
You did all you could for her
He put his arm tenderly around
his wife waist as he spoke.
Whatever it is, Sarah he said
bravely, well bear it together
At the same instant, as it seemed
light foetstep fioated, ike a thistle
down, on the threshold: a little
figure ran up to them, and clasped
them within one embrace.
'Rosan they cried, with a single
voice.
oh, | am so sorry-so ashamed
sobbed Rosa May, looking pretty
and penitent enough TO melt the
hardest heart. But Caroline Du.
game over-persuaded me. We were
together, and | didn't enjoy single
moment of the whole day. Mother
-father-I never will disobey you
again. For when those terrible wild
horses rushed by like a whirlwind
and knocked over the poor, feeble
old lady, who was standing clos,
beside me
Then it wasn't you?' said Mrs
Eden, who had been nervousl,
scanning her adopted daughter
force for signs of some deadly hurt
1t would nave surved me right
il had been, said the girl, but j
wasn't. 1t was old Miss Dorathy
May from Newton. Look! The
are carrying her by how. Oh, it is S,
terrible-so terrible :"
And Rosa hid her face in ne
hands.
Mrs. Eden took the girl tenderl,
into her motherly arms.
Rosa, said she, You are forgiven
but after this, dear, always remem
Der how dearly we love YOU, an,
guide your conduct accordingly.
And not another word was sal
about the packing oftrunks. Ifpo.
sible, Joshua Elden's manner wa
more afiectionate than usual tow
ard his wife; Sarah, more tende
and deferential toward her husband
And Rosa vas the darling of both {
them.
1t was through her that they ha
their first quarrel; it was her vi
looked for appearance that healed tn
deadly rift in their hearts.
And when Mr.. Eden said
Didn't tell you, Sarah, that lit
Rosa would benefit by the lesson
his wife answered cordially.
You are always right, Joshua