The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-09-25
after the cliildreni She might as well

after the children She might as we'll
earn her boar1."
Mary said nothing, shutting her lips
tightly together as if to keep bnck any
words, and presently called him to
dinner.
Can it be that Tom cares 80 little
for me-? I can toll and delve to bring
him in more money, she thought, bit
terly. "Oh, my darlings, I could not
bear it if it were not for your sakes !"
she cried, straining her little ones to
her heart, the hot rebellious tears fall
ing on their heads.
Farmer Tom was out in the fields
working like tiger himself to keep up
the tagging spirits of his men.
"I never see sech man ter work m
make everybody else work too. grum-
bled one man to his companion, paus-
ing to wipe his reeking brow. AN
that poorly wife of his'n slavin' herself
to death because he's too darned stingy
to git her any help. I declare for it, my
Nancy don't work half SO hard as she
does"
The man went on with his hoeing, but
Tom, whom he supposed ont of earshot,
had not been so far ahead but he had
caught the drift of the conversation.
"Can it he that Mary is working too
hard?" lie thought, recalling her face as
it had looked that noon.
Then the face of the girl he had
welded five years before-why, it was five
years that day-came before him, radi-
ant with youth and happiness. The
contrast did not please him.
"But all women grow old faster than
men," he said to himself, and then en-
deavored to dismiss the thought.
Somehow it would not stoy banished.
work as hard as he might. That night
when ne reached home, Uncle Warren.
who had quarrelled with all his sons.
had tale of grievance to relate.
"You know how T axed my son.
Joseph, more'n month ago for my old
eight-day clock. To-day he come along,
an when I told him I'd have it if it
took sheriff to git it, he SEE with
long-drawn sigh, Father, I'd ruther
60 home an find my best COW dead
than to give up that clock Well.
pooty soon after he'd gone one of his
neighbors come along an SEE he, We'll,
grandpa. you've lost your clock. Joe
boxetl it up an took it off som'ers, no.
body knows where Jest to think of
havin' sech mean man for son, arter
all I've done for him"
The poor old man whimpered like
child, forgetful of the fact that from
their early youth he had instilled it into
his children's minds that "gettin' an
savin'" was the chief aim of man. They
were living his advice now, their chief
solicitude concerning him being that
he should leave them his money. The
old man readily perceived this, and he
had quarrelled persistently with each
before taking refuge with his nephew,
vowing never to leave them o cent of
his property.
Tonight Uncle Warren's complain
ings Jared on Toms mood The poor,
loveless. unlovable old age looked more
forlorn than usual.
"What was the use of that lifetime of
saving." he thought. "Only unhappi-
ness"
He glanced at his wife her cheeks
were pnle, and her eyes were red Us
with weeping. His heart smote him.
"Come here, Madge," he said to his
little girl who was hanging to her
mothers skirts.
She held in her hand colored card
which Mamie had brought home from
Sabbath-achool. Mechanically he read
the words Whatsoever man soweth
that shall he reap" They stung him.
What had he been doing? His con-
science, already aroused. would not be
put to sleep again. What was the good
of boarding if Mary and the children
were not happy now?"
Uncle Warren's voice broke in on his
revery-
"That note of Avery's comes due to-
morrow don't If? WherA'll Won mt tho