Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-12-24

to attend to the little things on which his
daily comfort so largely depended.
Summer with its long joyous days seemed
to have been left great distance be-
hind, as the weeks went on bring
ing short dark days of colder weather,
and she tried to economize in their fuel
and food and clothing, and to devise
something she could sell instead of hay
ing the row of purchases grow longer
and longer every week.
Of course she made little Roadway.
Her experience was very small, and
Aunt Dilsey, the cook, like most ne
groes, had an invincible dislike to
economy, and could not understand
there was any real need for it with cher
ole marster's folks" "Jes' one dat
chile's whims!' she grumbled to herself
for though she was perfectly devoted
to Argyle, she could never realize that
she had grown beyond childhood.
So Argyle's efforts were generally
baffled by: "Now, honey, yo' know
dere amt nebber been any anti-mois-
ture 'twixt yo' folks an dere neighbors,
an we'se got to receive dem all with
coming hostility. Needn't talk to me,
chile, bout indignant circumstances!
Yo' is young, an yo' mustn't sturb
yo self. LET it all to Dilsey-she'll vide
yo' wild dinner dat old marster kin
eat-yo' see nOw!"
But Aunt Dilsey, willing rs her heart
was, and broad as were her shoulders,
made a very Intellectual dyke against the
threatening flood.
sit is ali over" said Mr.. Meriweath-
er, feebly, as he came in from the Post
office the last evening of December, and
drawing his chair close to the small fire,
tried to warm his cold hands. "Argyle,
my poor child, we will have to leave
our home next month"
"Papar' cried Argyle-she had ex-
pected the blow long time, yet it
seemed to her when it actually came,
as if it had been surprise. After what
seemed to her an endless interval, she
asked, doubtfully: ''Papa, where are
we going then?"
Il don't know" he replied, with a
mixture of resentment and fretful per-
plexity in his tone, which at once
brought Argyle to his side to caress, and
comfort him with vague words of hope
and cheer that sounded woefully hollow
to her own sinking heart.
1T is very strange" at last observed
her father, querulously, "that it has
been five months since your cousin Sam
has entered the house. He used to be
frequent visitor-in and out of the house
like my own son-but now [ suppose he
is like other fair-weather friends and
fears being called upon to help us in adj
versity.
''Oh, no, papa, don't think that
would keep Sam away. Besides, you
know, he is with his Eegiment, and may
not have been able to get leave of alb
sence."
HE has been at home for the Christ
mas holidays" replied her father, short
ly. Tom Chadwick met him the day
he arrived a week ago."
Argyle did not reply.
Has he written you one line?" asked
her father.
No answered Argyle. feebly, .'but
don't believe Sam has forgotten she
was interrupted by brisk knock at the
door.
Come in," called Mr.. Meriweather,
and Argyle stole a little farther back in
to the shadow of the door, intending to
make her escape unnOticed She had
burned the front breadth of her alpaca
and torn the sleeve, in her efforts to re-
strain Ann Dilsey's culinary extrava-
gance, and her hair had tumbled down
in a confusion of curls from its coil.
Sans CHEEKY voice replied. and the
familiar comfort of the sound brought
throb of delight to Argyle's heart.
care you all by yourself, Uncle James?
have been trying hard to get a bit of
business done, in order that might get
here in time to wish you a Happy New
Year. and give you some proof had re-
membered you. You must let me have
the pleasure of it in my own way, un-
| cle,'' he said affectionately. Then he
poked the embers into a bright blaze,
and added eagerly: 'Where is Argyle?'
why, she was here only few min
utes ago. said her father, looking
around uncertainty.
.Well, never mind.' said Sam, but
his voice sounded so disappointed that
Argyle would have stepped forward
burnt breadth, scent and all-if he had
not added: 1.-The fact is, came here
specially to see you tonight. "
Il am glad you remembered us, said
his uncle, a little stiffly. at has been
very painful year to us, and few of our
friends have tried to make it brighter.
Of course you know we shall have to
leave our old home next month";"
mo, you will not, UNCLE replied
| Sam, handing over bundle of papers.
There's your bond. which I secured
myself by purchase from your auditor
and you won't mind, uncle, that have
secured the old place in Argyle's name
instead of yours? L thought it would
prevent it from being sold any more and
would be best for BOTH and he paused
little anxiously, to see how his uncle
would regard this arrangement.
MY dear boy" his uncle began, in
mis- old pompous manner, but quickly
broke down into natural tears of relief
and gratitude, This is more than l
deserved have been very selfish old
man. have not thought enough of
other peoples troubles-of my daugh-
ter-and have misjudged my friends
| and thought them selfish. Sam, this
will be lesson to me in human good
ness and he grasped the young mans
hand warmly.
ssOh, uncle said Sam, overwhelmed,
Il am so glad you like it," and in his
haste to escape from his uncle's thanks
| and praise, he babe him goodnight
most incoherently, and precipitately re-
treated.
But he was mistaken in thinking the
| way was clear, for a little figure stole
after him, and very low but very
sweet voice said: SAM" arresting his
flight abruptly on the steps, and then
| Argyle's hand stole into his.
''You thought you could steal away
| without my saying a word? Oh. you
naughty boyr' said Argyle, reproach-
| fully.