The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-10-20
NORA'S WORK.

NORA > WORK.
Only few acres-a small, poorly fur
I nished cottage, a horse, eow-but every
T inch Of ground had been sown and plant
ed by hands now still and folded-eyery
stick Of furniture, however poor, however
shabby, had been Amy Truxion's bridal
7 portion The horse, the cow. wen. - old
familiar friends; therefore It Was little
wonder that the dread mortgage which
threatened 10 sweep them al away-tO
I turn her and her fatheriesS children
adrift on the cold world-hung black and
heavy over the cottage home, - that the
bright. warm outside sunshine seemed
but biIteresi mOckerv.
One short year before, and homes; Seth
Truxton, known and liked for miles
around. had left his wife and bairns, in
the early morning. with a farewell kiss,
only to be borne hack across the thresh-
old. cold and stiff. killed by the sudden
falling Of q tree which his own axe had
stirred from its foundation
The husband. the fatner. were gone.
but also gone were the clear head, the
strong helping hand and Amy Truxton
first reused from the apathy OF grief into
which she had fallen TO see the dread,
gaunt shadow OF want stand threatening
ly upon her threshold
IT,, .ta. -. ,,-f,o a
always longed for this snug little corner
Of land, 80 temptingly adjoining his own
broad acres. came forward with his offer
of ready money. and the mere nominal
security Of a mortgage II meant pre-
ent ease, and poor Mrs Truxtnn had
never looked far ahead into an unknown
future, 80 she thankfully accepted the
aid, trusting the spring crops would en-
able her to meet at least the interest.
But there came both drought and frost.
and each week was bringing nearer that
dread time. and there was no money laid
away in the village bank to meet IT.
Then II was that Nora Truxton said.
with decision in her tone not TO be
gainsayed:
4 can help you, mother l viii 90 up
To the citv and work and send you mon
ey to pay the interest when il is due"
She spoke very strongly, very bravely:
but at dusk. when the duties Of the day
were over. and she went to meet her low
er a. ne came home from his days toll,
she broke down a; the sight Of him, and
laid her head on ms shoulder
What Is il. lassie ?r he said tenderiy.
Then she told him all
Never, with my consent. shall you do
II, he answered, when she had finished
= The city Is no place for an honest girl.
Come-yon shall be my wife at once
have not quite got ready the home hop
ed to offer YOU, but can keep you from
want, darling. I've good strong arm 10
work for YOU
Do not temp, me, John, she said
very sadly. It's not tayseIf-it's my
mother and the little ones. snd the mort
gage On the farm Do von think that
could see them turned cut Of the old
home? Oh. no. And as 70 the city be
ing no place for me, you mnsi have small
faith, dear, If you could not trIlsi me
with such a purpo~e OF heart Let Ine 90
with your love and blessing; and when
I've let the old home free. I'll come back
70 il. John--fo it and you.
II was only half reluctant consent
that she won At last, but it ~ofteTaei lit
tie the bitterness Of parting. and made
those first dncary days Of home~ickness
little less hard to bear.
She said a. little as she could OF the
weeks OF disoonrasetnenf that met her
on the threshold of her new life, in her
letters home bnt told only of the good
motherly woman in WHOSE house she
lodged. Of the stranseness Of her sur
roundiags, her hopes for the future.
Poor child, of the long, weary tramps
in search Of employment, the many re-
buffs. the occasional insults her pretty
face drew forth, the hot, tired feet, the
pillow nightly wet with her tears-she
said nothing These she must bear in
silence
But at la1 there came letter home.
with money folded in it pages
Il have found work-honest work
mother. Do not worry because the sum
send you Is not large 1t is only half
what l have earned, and soon ! shall
send YOU more The interest shall be
paid, dear mother. and if | sueeeesi, the
principal. too Think of that and pray
for II too, dear mother. for then | shall
come hack to you
Fond. foolish mother, How little she
dreamed, recounting the contents Of the
letter With pride. showing il even to one
or two Of her most favored friends, that
each one went awzv shaking their head
and saying il WAS an evil day when Nora
left the hos1e roof
But every week brought letter, care
fully registered. each month the little
boarded sum at the bank swelied, until,
on the appointed day, full interest WAS
paid into the Squireis hands, which he
received a. though he would have been
glad hsd il not been forthcoming.
He laughed aload-a laugh it Was not
good to hear-when they told him that
Tora Trlxton had earned this money,
and the Squie's opinion carried great
weight