Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-03-10
BRAVE JACK,

lhllcu OctHuSe he could not stand RlrlS
with such fine ilcas; but ! wont trouble
him that way. The old fellow is all right
If one only stirs him up i'll the right way"
nv child" sa d tn, gentle Mrs. Ray
mnnd, q 10 not like to hear you speak in
tHat hO,ish. rude manner. | fear your
uncle would have less patience with you
than your sisters. No he does not intend
to for lie me, and We will make no further
advances
oh, yes we will, deario." and Jacks
curly head buried itself in the moth RS
shoulder, coax My. DO let me try to
win the obstinate old well, there ,then-to
win our honored rel tive to proper sense
OF his obligations toward his only sister
and her interesting family. How will that
do, eli? Now, mother, don't shake your
head so; it's no use. Why did you give
me boy name and bring me up on tops
and marbles if you want me to be q real
girl"
1T was your fathers wish, you know.
dear. lie was so Grieyously disappointed
that he had no son. But Jackuellne is not
boys name, and Mrs. Raymond shook
her head smilingly at her hayward daugh-
ter.
No, but Jack is; and I'm mover cllled
anything else, that young lady repl ed,
triumphantly, with an obstinate little shake
of the ietty Gu Is that gave such piquancy
to her bright face. of father we're only
here lie would let me try anything that
would take the burden from off your shoul-
ders, ami, now Il at he is dead. Gle must
surely forgive Won for marrying against his
wishes. What ght had he to have wishes,
anyhow
"He was my only living relative and
guard an" answered Mrs. Raymond. who
was always i,ly to escu e her brothers
harsh tire ,tment.
Well. mot er, do let mo go beard the
lion III his den, the Douglas in his hall,
SAID Jack, gay V. "Gou know we mast do
something, for we can get no work of any
kind III this place. though we've tried so
faithfully"
We'll 90, my dear, and l shall pray for
your success, said the gentle mother.
MIR. Fobcrt Ioran sat covering b side a
dull. spirltleSs fire one bright morning His
room WAS duS V anu d.sordered, though its
furnishing was good and even luxurious.
He looked moody and disconnected, as if
the wealth that showed Itself in the hand
some sur! oandings brought no pleasure to
its owner. Perhaps he was tn mixing of the
sister who hId once made sunshine in the
low gloomy hom', Il wished that his
prIde would let Lin beg her to come back
and care for him in lis dreary old age,
A tap at tie door aroused him.
Who Is it, he demanded, i'll surprise,
Tor his servants never came uuSummonod.
The door opened slowly anda br! ght face
Tcencd in.
It's Jack Raymond, at your service,
unrlc, and Ill the venture 50 ne girl walked
and stood before him.
She wore long ulster, closely bnttoned
to the throat where Il Standing collar and IL
neat black tie showed themselves, while on
the short, glossy cars was a iaunty
Derby" gultlesj OF any trimming save
the simple masculine hand.
"Why, didn't know my sister had
SON" exclaimed the oil gentleman, his
wrlnhlcd face showing something very like
sat'fdction as he looked at the new conner.
'She hasn't" said Jack. with dancing
eyes; but it isn't my fault. | do my best.
IN awfully sorry I'm not boy, uncle, if
it would pie Use you; but let me stay awhile
and you'll see what il first class substitute
am, removing her hat and bowling with
rasy grace. Bat, dear me! how duh 1t is
here! Your fire wants good st rring up"
And selling the poker she attacked the
Goals Ill the CRATE with an energy that
seemed to imply thtt she would like to
treat him in the same fashion.
A lr ght blaze followed her vigorous ac-
bright hue' of pictures and furniture,
despite the dust that cover d them, bring
ing Il CHEEKY look, too, even to Mr.. Doral's
gin face.
"There!' said Ja"k, giving last APP
pro ing poke, that's better. Now, if |
Just open this window and let in the sun
shire, 81" suitin9 the action to the word
you'll feel as bright as IL spring morn
Jag.
The 4irl was like Mly-day herse f,
fn:ter,ug around the room as ii waited by
invisible brcezes, her bright fac, the en-
bolimcut of sun ii ne and as the lonely
oll man watched her light fingers bringing
order ont of confusion that had reignad
SO long, lui|zical smile dawned on his
face.
"For Il would b. boy sou seem to know
good deal about such things" he remark
Ell, dyly.
rnats the mother part Of me-" said
Jack, a. she settled the chairs and furn-
turo with Il lou Ii that only a womln has.
Then came and sat down on IL foot
stool beside him, and, cla,ping her knee
with both hands, looked up with sm!lin
audacty, Tying: You'd better let me STAY
awhile. un,lc; you'd be a great deal more
comrOrtablc.'
There was Il ep anxiety BENEATH the
merry exterior, Tor she kn W VIII how vital
her uncle favor was. Her mother was TOO
delicate, h T sisters too fine lad cs to WORK,
and the child she WAS II t much more,
spite of her seventeen years felt as though
the burden of the family rested on her
shoulder.
llel III. lc was very. wealthy, and if he
only could be broug t to forgive h + mother,
what happy DAYS they would see,
lie la sent once Tor her two sisters to
spend week ut Gleas:de a step toward
reconciliation which her mother had hailed
with TIA kfuI Joy. But before the week
was out he sent them both home, saving
lie couldn't stand their fine airs: that,
since his S steu had chosen to bring up
her family TO such idle habits, ne would
have nothing to do with them.
The one longing of the old mans heart
lad been for il SO to bear Lis name. That
hope Disappointed in the early death of his
son, he Ii d gradually grown up into the
selfish, gloomy man Jack found him this
far spring mOrnlur.
There was something in her bright, boy
ish face that fascinated him; and now, with
! warmth that surprised himself, he said:
"Stay if you like, nv child. It's dull
place within doors; but there are flowers
and sunshine.
1t WAS 50 mu,h kinder than Jack had
dared hope that she could have cried for
JOY.
sob, You dear unclei" she said, and
kissed lis wriukled old face with an honest
hearineSs that he was quick to feel.
There, then, he said, impatiently, as if
ashamed of the unWonted soflness he had
shown. 500 and tell cooi You're going to