Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-05-14
TIE NEWS FROM PETERSHAM.

Mrs. Peak had been to Petersham
herself to spend Thanksgiving with her
niece, and brought the first account of
old Mr. JChnson's illness.
Mrs. Jesse johnson, his daughter-in-
law, had come in for few minutes
Thursday afternoon, anu had said it
was the first me since she could re-
member that the old gentleman had not
lc,n in his seat m church on Thanks
giving Day. And they all felt rs if it
were n great break.
ale would insist upon setting at the
table, .ai Mrs. Jesse, "but he looked
too .c'h.c to be out OF his bed. Tn sc
bad cold, take hold OF man of his
ycarS---
After tho visitor had gone Mrs. Peak
and her niece Martha had talked good
deaf about the changes in the family
VIII ch would be sure to come when Mr..
johnson died.
Il know that Jesse's folks are de-
pending upon getting lit said
Martha. "Alis' jesse has limited as
much TO me more than once, for she
says ,Icssc's got moro than he can carry
in his business, and everything would
b. easy if he only had a little more
capital. Truth is, ! have an idea that
he $ leased good share away from his
father now, and the old gentleman isn't
so ready as he usel to be 10 further his
projects. And there's William, his
other son, know it TO be fact that he
is intending to go out West when his
ton of il for good while; his wife's
sisters folks arc all out there and do
ing we'll"
They'll be very much missed as a
family" said Mrs. Peak; chow Peters
ham has changed from what it was when
was n girl!'
When she went home the next day
she was quite downhearted, and told
Asa Fales, who happened to be in at the
depot when the train came in and of
fered to carry her home, that old Mr..
Daniel johnson was breaking up-at
least, so his family seemed TO think.
Asa Fales was deeply concerned; the
two villages were only few miles
apart, and he had been Petersham
boy. 1t was old Mr.. johnson to whom
he owed his rise in the world, and he
remembered that he might never have
| OWHtu bulS HONiiSulup NOuutfy sJOtC II
il had not been for this kinl friend 4
assistance.
Besides, he had been confident of Mr.
Johnson's support--if he could make
up his mind to buy a large tract o.
woodland which would pay well foI
being cleared the very next winter. He
was already indebted to him, however
and il would be a very different thing i
be were the debtor of the eager heirs.
So with all this in his mind he ques
toned Mrs. Peak, anxiously and they
concluded that Mr.. Johnson's end wal
not far distant.
"Of course he made great effort Il
get to the table on account of its being
Thanksgiving" said Asa, sorrowfully
"but I'm afraid he'll give right up now
I'd ride over to see him tomorrow, bu
can't get away. lis right in my busy
time; I'm buying up great deal o
wood this fall, and some of 'em ar
bringing IL in now on wheels instead o
waiting for snow"
1.-The snow does keep off late thi
year." said Mrs. Peak. Here it's tn,
first o. December and there's only beef
one furry that was hardly more than
hoar-frost."
They had reached the little gray hous
behind the lilac bushes, where Mrs. Pea
lived alone, and as she unlockedts sid
door and went in. 1t seemed strangel
cold and lonely.
81 must look about for lively kit
ten," she said to herself; they're
sight of company, and what trouble
gave would be no harm. declare
makes me feel lonesome; all the folks
have always been used to knowing seer
to be dying off. always set goo
deal by Daniel johnson.
Two neighbors looked up the road
little later than this through their kitcf
en- windows, and seeing light in Mr.,
Peaks kitchen also, said to thcmselve
that she might DO lonely that evenin
without anybody to speak TO, and the
would step over and hear the now,
They met at the door, each with shaw
over her head and her knitting-work |
her hands-and were welcomed mo.
heartily.
Mrs. West, who was very fond ,
talking. began at once to describe he
experiences Thanksgiving mornin,
when she found that the cats had stole
into the pantry during the night, an
mangled the turkey so that II was onl
. fit TO be thrown away. n was too Ia,
70 get another, except rack OF bone