Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-05-09

ed. 'Well, my dear. yes. BY the
dozen is my rule; but l breaks rules for
pretty, little lassies like you. VIII you
have blue, a pink, or a yaller silk?
Make up your mind, and I'll pitch
down what you choose My darter puts
on the silk; gums the shells on and
polishes 'em, and 50 they're finished.
She's at work upstairs now. SO
whIch?"
'Blue, pleases'' said Trot.
And away stumped the old man.
When he came down he showed her
the cushion, took the silver, and went
to hunt up bit of paper to wrap it in;
and the whiting sailor spoke 10 him.
That poor chap looked blue" he
said.
"He is blue," said the old sailor.
''All that's come and gone Is nothing
to this," he said. she hoped ag'in
hope until now. But, you see, he's
looked for his gal month now and
can't find her; and he says either she's
dead or married, and he's talking or
putting a pistol to his head. 1 never
see a chap SO mortal down in the
mouth afore.''
"Folks has lived through it and mar
ried other gals,' said the sailor, whit
yes" said the old man; "but don't
you see he's had three years on desert
island and seen two men along of him
die one arter the other, and was at star
vation's door when Captain Briggs
picked him up, that weak he couldn It
stand. And now this worry, Sar
tainty can be borne better than onsar-
tainty, be IL ever so woefuL Here, little
lassie!D
But Trot, with eyes and mouth wide
open, did not even see the little pack
age he held out to her. A memory of
nose and of hair like that of the tall
man she had seen burst upon her. Jack
had no beard, but, OIL but, OIL she was
strong In childish hope, and that child
ish expectation of fine endings to real
life stories which we lose in after life.
Lois would have sighed and gone
away but Trot clutched the old man 8
jacket with her thin little hands.
''Oh, please, ST." she said-''oh, L
believe it's Jack. I always knew he
wasn't drowned. Oh, please tell him,
if he's Jack, I'm Trot and Lois is,
my sister. Oh, tell 1 think it's Jack
and that it is Lois he is looking for.
We're Captain Lees daughters-tell
him-tell hinr'
GOOD LordI" shouted the whiting
sailor, dropping his knife. Its like a
play. The fellow is looking for Cappen
Lees darter."
Up he went, five steps at a time.
Down he came with the man with the
beard.
"Where is she? Where is she?" lie
gasped. "This-this isn't Trot.
'This isn't Jack. Oh, dear. dearl''
III d, .
looks like. Obi is it Jack Darrow?"
Where Is LoIs?' WAS all he answer
ed.
eyes with big red handkerchief, and
the old man yelled "Hurrayl"
Then he crammed the pretty cushion
] intzthe child's pocket and she went
aVG with her hand In the thin, brown
~ Of Jack Darrow. and told him al
a eey hastened along:
Gtio up and prepare her, Trot," said
jack. This is sudden. 1t might hurt
her,
SCI Trot climbed the stairs, think.
ing what she might say, and she came
where LOIS sat at work and said,
LOIS, L wanted to give you birthday
present, and the fairies put sMpence
into my shoe, and L went to buy a PIN.
cushion; but I've got a bigger present
than that. ''Guess what 1t is? It's
| it's-JackI.'
1.-The child Is deliriousl'' shrieked
Lois. 'Oh, Trot, Trot-my little
| Troti'
''Oh, Loisl" said Trot," I'm only
preparing you Jack has come back
He's downstairs
But Jack was upstairs by that time,
and, for my part, think that joy, how
ever sudden, seldom kills
'-Oh. what a wonderful birthday
present you brought me!'' cooed Lois
| cuCdiing her sister next morning. "Oh,
my pet, we shall all be so happy togeth.
erl''
And so they were.