The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-27


distance, and Joe turned homeward a little
daunted at the lonely outlook, glad to be once
more by his mothers side. No such feeling
staid with him long however, and soon as sup
per was over he said to his mother: ''Well,
I've settled everything for we so far as I can.
Deacon Hills will do well by the farm, and what
you don't want Of the produce he'll sell for ye,
and Uncle Lias will haul to mill long of his
corn whatever you want to grind, and Tommy
Hymny II split and saw the wood and see to
such chores as you want him to see to; but
ant really easy in my mind about your bein
here alone"
"Well, Joe, don't expect shall be alone; I
want to get settled to your bein' gone for spell,
an then I'll surely have somebody; there's
women folks enough round that IL be glad to
have their board for their comp'ny, an I'll let
We know right off when I'm suited with one"
Il most wish you'd take old Tommy in; he'd
be sight of help"
For mercy's sakesl Why, l couldn't stan it
noway Men-folk have TO be mended an made
for, an they're always masterful an notional,
particular an old bach like him; an | couldn't
never stan his singin' hymns like an old cracked
hurdy-gurdy mornin', noon, an night whenever
he see fit"
That is some nooisance, allow. l wonder
how he fell into't?'
'Oh, he had halfcrazy kind of aunt that
fetched him up an she learnt him the whole
hymn book through, so it come material to him to
say il when twas fittin' Jest as some folks kote
Scripter for every airthly thing, an he was a
real good singer in his young days. so he got
sort OF used to words an tunes together, besiIes
hkln real we'll to hear the sound of his voice.
Folks give him his nickname years ago. ! don't
know as he REILLY knows by this time whether
his hymns be said or sung, or whether his name
is Hymny or Human"
Joe yawned over the explanation, and saun-
tered up stairs to pack his old valise. His moth
er's heart was running over with tender counsel
and motherly warning, but something in Joe's
cool eye and careless manner shut her lips she
could only carry her burden to the feet of her
Master, and leave it there for power transcend
ing even maternal love to lift and bear it instead
of her falterine strength.
So Joe went to York" the next day. and be-
fore the week was over Cornelia Marvin had
come to board with her. having no home of her
own, and being only too glad to leave the family
with whom she had hitherto lived for the peace
and sweetness, and unspoken sympathy of Joe's
mother and the shelter of Joes home. Old Tom
my performed his daily duties with faithfulness,
and added to his service scraps of song and bits
of consolation that the widow could well have
spared but she bore with them for the sake of
his really kind heart So her days went on in
creeping quiet, disturbed only by a rare letter
from Joe, who was not used to correspondence,
and did not like it,
'Heered from Joseph hev We Mis- Gillett?n
was the daily question Tommy asked her, and
when long time went by between her affirma-
tive answers, he shook his head sadly, and went
off wailing out to the tune of China,
Why dew morn departed frien's?p"
much as if he were celebrating funeral service.
Joseph, however, had found his element i'll the
great city. The lowest clerk in the bank where
Harry jerks had found him place, ne devoted
himself to his work so thoroughly and intelli-
gently that he soon drew upon himself the no
tlce of those above him. He unlearned the
phrases of his country speech, and spoke like
the rest of his companions; he saved and spared
till city-cut suit of clothes replaced the Sunday
garments he had worn at home He looked no
longer like a rustic yet not the least like fop,
and he worked with good will and intent pur
pose; spent no money on amusements, but stud
led in his solitary evenings everything that could
help him in his business, and went to bed with a
sound conscience and cold heart-sure mar
cotics for any man.
1t had been Mrs. Gillett's one hope and
thought that Joe should come home to Thanks
giving the first time that festival came round
after he left her. She made her simple prepare
tions for the day early Tommy Hymny had
provided the vegetables that she had not raised
herself and brought her the very biggest squash
for her pies that ever grew in Clinton.
Look a-here," he said, as he struggled up to
the back door, carrying the great straw colored
fruit in his arms Did yever see sech a skosh
as this herel | swow to man it beats time. Well,
faint none too good for Thanksgivin'day pies
an I'll bet cookey Joe never see nothin so good
down to York. TITS kinder good to hev him
comm back.
Through all the courts o paradise
To se-ee-a prodigal re-e-turn!
Well, l don know as | ought to call him a prod
igal he amt one o tibet sort. l had ought to
have broke off with line second. Deacon Hills
is a-goin' to send over the turkey to morrer an
I'll kill them two chickens tonight for the pie,
an-Why Cornelye Marvin where be We goin'r
up to Putney, to keep Thanksgiving with an
old schoolmate, Uncle Tommy" answered a
sweet, steady voice. and pale, sad countenance
smiled at the good old SOUL whose broad face
was agape with surprise.
"Well, of all thingsl | s'pose you thought twos
comply and threes crowd. Dreadful thought
full women folks be; but sometimes they're a
leetle mite too much ser l bet Joe wouldn't ha'
thought you'd make a crowd, anyhow"
The stage drove up just in time to spare Cor
nelia from answering, except by the vivid blush
that made her thin checks glow and with one
more good bye to the widow, who understood her
too well to ask her to stay, the lone girl left her
home before the one home-day of all our New
England world. But the same stage brought q
brief, plausible letter from Joe He could not
come back soon, he said Being the Youngest
clerk in the bank he did not like to ask a holi-
day, and the journey would be expensive.
The widow Gillett sold her turkey and her
squash, and ate her meagre meal in bitterness
of soul, with no Thanksgiving story or song in
her lonely heart. Uncle Tommys coincidence
was in vain, being of that pungent and counter
irritant sort common to his race
'Wel, well, WE'LL so he amt a-comin7 Beats
all. expect you sot your heart ont too much.
Disappointment is good for pussonal piety,
though. Some like medicine Mabbe you've
made idle of Joseph Mis- Gillett, an so Provi-
dence is a-takin' ye to do fort.
The dearest idle II hev knoown
Whatee r tibet idle bee"
he quavered casting up his eyes to the ceiling as
he went on; but when the verse was over, and
he looked round complacent)y for his nearer, she
had gone, and shaking his head mournfully, he
took up the swill pail and departed.
N WAR Of oh - Tna
She had dim instinct that he preferred not to
come, and "a certain healthy pride of characte
forbade her to urge him to distateful duty
merely for her own pleasure she began to I'M
derstand from his rare letters that he was grow
ing into higher place than his mothers home
or heart; his language was of another style than
the rustic utterance she still used. and his talk
was of stocks and shares, of pressing business
and astounding successes. Year after year
passed by and still he did not come home to
rh nnl.s Gi yrc. and cnased nnn1a nxc1,sn Lin.