Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-18


lows
Remember now. YOU are my wife,
and must do exactly as | say-that's the
law. and must lie good to you aud do
all the hardest work; but YOU must cook
and mend for me. and think you'd bet
ter begin to call me Husband right
away
"Yes sobbed Jane 40, isn't dark"
mo. said Tom. besides. if it is, an
the better Well get into the woods be
fore they catch us. We shall be out Of
the town by daylight
Then they walked On-poor Jane stun
bling often, but Tom held her hand and
did not let her fall At length the last
little white house was passed; then came
the church with its tall spire, and then
long paiing fences about bits of meadow
land They were in the country, but not
yet in the woods, and both children were
growing very sleepy and very tired-so
very tired that finally there was nothing
for il but to sit down on the grass under
a haystaCk, with Toms head on Jane S
knee and go fast asleep.
Sunrise awakened them. They ate their
bread and butter, started on again, and in
a few hours the wood were all around
them
Were safe at last, cried Tom "No-
body can ever find us here III build a
house and plant my corn away. Do you
know how long il takes corn to grow?
And beans?
No" ventured Jane, doubtingly-
mot long. l guess"
Il guess not" echoed Tom but
wish we had some more bread aud but
ter "
By.and. by the two explorers came to a
nice little spot in the woods close TO a
pretty brook. IL was very damp. but
there was clearing which it was easy 10
plant Tom dug it over with his fire
shovel. and put in his beans and corn in
straight rows Then. with an old knife
that was his greatest treasure, he cut uu.
derbrush and low branches enough to
make queer kind of leafy hut big enough
for both to creep into
We can eat outdoors. We shall only
want home al nights and when il rains, .
said Tom.
But lane felt doubtful. Her little flesh
was black and blue already. and yet the
grass was long in the bayfield, here it was
sparse and dry. Besides. she wanted her
warm milk and water and her slice OF
bread and butter Tom found some huck
leberries hard by. but they did not help
the empty stomachs much. and even al
sunset the corn had not begun to grow.
neither did the beans show their heads
above the earth Suddenly an awful
thought struck .'anc
when it grows. Tom, she cried I'VE
haven't any saucepan 10 cook it iu-
More we haven't" said Tom Then
hope dawned upon him I'VE could
roast the corn, said he; land bel
there's an apple tree somewhere.
They wandered about looking for the
tree or for more berries of some sort The
tree did not appear, but at last they found
some berries Just one or two at time
and the poor children had nothing else 10
eat Hungry Tom could have devoured
his own shoes Meek Jane. before she
lay down on the hard yet damp ground.
asked ust one question:
DO you think the beans will grow TO-
night, ToH2"
Il told you to say Husband, said
Tom; then added, graciously. "Ies
Ma, SUPPOSE they will
Then Jane pat the Child" close to her
cheek. and slept the sleep of the weary
Good Farmer Morton and his plump
wife. coming homeward from a visit tC
their married daughter about dark next
day, let the Old mare walk as slowly as
she pleased through the wood path. They
had had tea and were in no hurry.
Suddenly, amidst the sobb'ng of the little
brook the old lady heard louder sob
bing still
. eter, she said, there is a child
crying"
= Tisnt nothing but the water. " said
the old man, whose hearing was less sharp
than his wifes
Its a child. persisted the old lady.
Il vow, ! think | see one sitting on-the
fence stop the mare, Peter. Who is
there?"
Me. ma am-.Tane, said little voice
Il heard carriage and l thought il
might be doctor. .. please, he's SC
sick"
Who is sick, dear2" asked Mrs. Nor
ton
My husband
"Husbandg Feter isn't that a child2
Yes. ma am. said Jane, but he sick.
don know what ails him He shivered,
and then he was hot and be seems so
strange And our farm didn't come up
| mean the corn and the beans-and il
rained yesterday. and came through the
house and wetted US all over o. please
come and see what is the matter with my
husband
Lord. preserve u.s." cried the good old
lady; lis that child crazy? Come. Peter.
let's see what she means
And the two good people followed Jane
TO the damp spot where Tom, suddenly
smitten with ague, lay delirious. half in
and half out of his leafy hut He could
say nothing. and Jane, mindful of the
warning he had given her over and over
again. would tell nothing of the poor.
house, and only said they had no
parents. and that she was his wife
Wherever they come from We must
take EN- home tonight said Mrs Nor
ton. Poor babies. You carry the boy.
Peter I'll fetch the little gal. I"
Jane looked up thankfully into the old
lady's face. aud said: Wait please, till
get the Chi d.
The child!" cried Mrs. Morton
Land sakes,"
Then . ane dived into the hut and
brought forth her doll, with its scorched
features and yellow robe: at sight of
that she had much ado 10 get into the gig
again.
The children were comfortably housed
lHdt udN, anu tue "HO.c lfulH WAS COdAel
from them at last; but no one had the
heart to return them TO the poor house. Jane
stayed with Mrs Morton TO be brought
up as help. and Tom was apprenticed
toS carpenter The innocent little fam
lily was broken up; and the Child, care
fully treasured in .'ane's trunk for soon
she had trunk of her own and clothes
to nil twas only a memento Of the
past,
SO the years glided on Jane grew q
tall. slim girl; Tom big, brown young
man There was no sign of being town
poor about either of them. They were
wholesome well-fed, bright young people
as you would wish 10 see. But one Satur.
day afternoon Jane, washing the dishes
beside the kitchen window. looking up
saw Toom gazing at her, and Dlusned
rosy red-which certainly was odd in
wife of so many years standing.
Come TO ask you to walk little, if
you will said Tom
Jane promised to come as soon as the
chores" We're done; and this important
act being duly accomplished. put on her