Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-06-12

CHAPTER 1I.-CoNTINuED.
''They were such little bits o. tots
when left that | really 'spect they
have forgotten how their own father
looks. There's Martha, now, she'd
recognize me in minute, I'll vcnture;
six years is long time. though, and
I've had some awful hard knocks durin'
that tlma; wonder now if am lookin'
much the wus for wear and he arose
a little hurricdly and went and hunted
up the bit of looking-glass among his
kit of things, and took long look at
himself with queer kind of feeling
cbout the heart, that some way re-
minded him of the days when he first
knew himself to be in love with Martha
Simnohtls, and was q little uncertain as
to how his advances would be received.
Every day after that until they came,
he had looked in the glass at least once
and often more than once, and had kept
his hair and beard combed and his
clothes looking rs well as possible, con-
sidering the fact that, to a very great
extent, ,hofwas forced to rely on string S
to do the duty usually performed by
buttons e
He had at first thought of meeting g
his famlyat Sacramento, and had gone
down there in the middle of August
with the intention of remaining until
they arrived; but as the time OF their
coming was quite uncertain, and might
not be for several weeks yet, and as
some things remained to be done to the
cottage, he had made arrangements
with 10 bronson, who also had friends
in the respected company, to see that
they We're properly directed after being
supplied with anything of which they
might be in special need, or to at once
notify him in case anything had gone
wrong with them, and had returned tc
the ranch to await them there
For several days after his return he
busted himself about the cottage, put
ting in shelf here; driving up a mai
there; going out TO look at the garden
the ground for which he had broker
early in the spring almost the first day
after ne had laid his claim and writer
his family to comc-and which now
thanks TO his careful tending and th,
natural adaptablity of the soil anc
climate, could easily furnish vegetable.
and melons enough for Il larger family
than the one whose wQnts they were in
tended to supply; and remembering
that but afew days or weeks interviewed
before 9their coming, that even now
they might be in sight from the bluff
ut the bend of the creek whose wind
ings the road followed, that they might
be coming around the bend at any mo-
ment, is it any wonder that he slept but
lightly, or that he often raised himself
from his blanket, fancying he heard s
familiar voice calling to him through
the darkness?
Only two days before their arrival 6
neigooring squatter called at the ranch
and the TWO men spoke together earn,
estly and excitedly, and when the neigh
Dor left John Parsons hastily mounted
his pony and dashed away across the
country at break-neck speed, casting
anxious glances back over the track in
the direction from which he expected
any day, any hour, to see the canvas
covered wagon in whose occupants
every hope of his life centered.
After an absence of few hours he
returned at the same reckless pace, bu
only to dash off again, after making GER
tain that no one had been at the cottag &c
during his absence.
just at nightfall he came home
fastened instead of turning loose hi,
pony, and cut for him bundle of tht
wild oats that grow so Justify upon the
rich soil of the Suscol Ranch and sur
rounding valley.
Then he began to pace back anc
forth before the porch OF the cottage.
lie did not cook or eat any supper
he even forgot TO light his pipe.
All through that night he paced uI
and down or stood looking into the SIX,
or out toward the distant hills.
When morning came he cooked anC
tried to eat his breakfast, but coulc
only swallow with an effort, and wher
it was over he set the unwashed dishes
aside and looked in the bit of glas
again.
What he saw there seemed to hur
him in some way. The face that wa
reflected back appeared older and no
so good-looking as he had fancied i
had when he last saw it; he felt tha
even Martha would hardly know
him; and with the thought, tears, tn,
first he had shed since he kissed wifi,
and babies goodbye away back in thu
States, almost seven years ago, forceC
Themselves from his closed lids, and h,
laid down the piece of looking glass a
if ashamed even that the image in
should look upon his emotion.
After awhile he lay down upon hi
blanket, telling himself that he must no
look too care-worn at their coming, bu
his eyes refused to remain closed. In
stead, they persisted in wanderin,
about the rooms; lingering for mo
ment upon each object in which thei
possessor had felt special interest a
something that would tighten tho la
bors OF his wife; some little thing sh
would not be likely to expect an,
which would give her the more pleasure
because of it,
All the day through he was up an,
down, out and in the cottage, unable O
unwilling 10 work, forgetting his din
per until long past the usual hour, anC
then permitting 1t TO burn TO a crisl
when he did undertake 1t; but Just a
the sun was going down he saw com
ing around the curve in the road COY
cred wagon; and although wagons
such wagons-were far from uncom
mon sights to him, and Though
might well be strangers that kp