Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-09-04
CHAPTER XvI.-coSrrsuEp.

But now all knew TO certainty that |
the family circle was to be broken, and
broken somewhat ru,lely.
To Lucy there constantly came the
thought that Erastus was going be-
cause of his love for her, although he
made no sign and she could only sur
mise.
She realized, too, more and more,
how dearly she loved him, and that
union with Mr.. Annelscy, separating
her as 1t would do from all she held
most dear, would not bring her happi-
ness. She saw now that her lover had
no influence which could be used to aid
the settlers in obtaining justice from
the mining company, and that, even if
he should be generous enough to give
direct personal assistance to her own
family, which somehow she doubted,
her father was far too proud to ac-
cept it.
Then the thought which had come to
her during the ride home from the
landing, when the announcement of
her engagement had been made, that
her family must think her seliishly seek
III ih silliuilCc WIFI Olc WHO WAS COH-
nected with the cause of their mis-
fortunes, returned to her again and
again, producing n feeling that she was
excluded from their innermost thoughts
and affections, which could not but af-
feet her actions, however she might
struggle against it, and which, re-
acting upon the others, very nearly
produced the feeling she deplored.
Mrs. Parsons felt that her flock of
younglings were about TO take wing;
that the children for whom she had la
bored and planned and lived were to go
from her, in all probability never to be
reunited on earth again. Not only
Erastus, but Lucy, and then Jennie,
would soon seek homes for themselves;
and that, too, far away from their par
cnts, who were to be left alone and
lonely in their old age.
No, not quite alone. Johnny would
never leave them; no matter what else
might happen, the bird with the broken
wing would not leave the home nest.
But what if the nest should be de-
stroyed, and the crippled bird be left to
suffer from lack of food and shelterP
She and John werc getting old now.
She had never recognized this as a fact
before, but now she felt that it was
true. Supposing that the ranch should
be destroyed, and they in their old age,
and with helpless child, be turned out
to begin aga M
Suppose-but no, she would not think
of it. The Lord would provide. They
had been through many trials, and their
sullerings had not been more than they
could bear, and she must not permit
herself to be gloomy and so add to the
suilerings of the Others.
She went about her work with n
cheerful air; putting Erastus' clothing
in the best possible repair; made him
new shirts and undcrclothes, and did
many little things besides, which she
thought might add to his comfort when
he should be far from her, with none to
do these little'favors for him.
AS for John Parsons, he was simply
passive.
The CLEAN of sunshine which had
come to him when hope revived with
the beginning of the work on the dam
in the gloom which enveloped him.
He went around in a quiet kind of
way, saying little, but striving to add
what he could to the physical comfort
of each member OF his family, but
neither suggesting nor opposing any
thing.
And now the morning of the day on
which Erastus was 10 leave them had
arrived.
The wagon which he was to take had
been loaded the DAY before. There was
bed and bedding, his trunk containing
his personal effects, and box into
which Mrs. Parsons and the girls had
managed, unknown to him, to put sew
eral little articles of comfort or luxury
as pleasant surprise and reminder OF
them when he should unpack ii at the
end of the journey.
There was also plow and u few
other agricultural and mechanical i'm
plements. several sacks Of grain for the
colts, and provisions sufficient to last 9
little time after he should reach his des-
tination.
Silently he took the hand of the mar
who had been the only father he hat
ever known. With all his might h,
stroye to say goodbye, but could no
master his voice, and he dropped TIL,
hand, kissed each of the women II
turn, and without word sprang upor
the wagon and drove away out Of thei
sight
AS the family turned to enter thu
house, old Bose, who had appeared no
exactly TO understand the cause of al
he had seen, looked inquiringly mp int
their faces and then away in the direc
tion in which the wagon had disap
peared, as II to ask II this was anythin,
more than the usual daily trip to town
Apparently convinced by the sorrow
ful looks of all that something gray
had occurred, he lifted his nose in tn
air and gave long. low. mournfu
howl. and lay down with his head upol
his outstretched paws, and continued 4
nook down the road
10 meyer retarped 10 bis old plac