Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-09-27

borrow trouble.
We planned our cottage, taking the
pleasure in it that ovcry one does in ar
ranging evcry room to h's or her
needs.
Some Of the rooms, OF course, looked
toward the river, but the dining-room,
situStcd In a wing or "lN Of the house,
had front window with fine view Of
the village and the big church.
The house was finally completed, and
the grounds gradually, under my di-
rcction, assumed the proper shape,
and looked all the more pleasing from
their having been rather rough by
nature.
Tho ascent. which had been quite
steep, was reduced TO number of
gentle terraces between which the road
wound gracefully. We were happy In
our new homo, and every little Inn
provement about the place was a
pleasure though il did cost money and
labor. But after a few months we
learned that our place was appreciated
by others as well rs by ourselves.
One day a stranger called and inquired
for me. After speaking OF the weather
and tho pleasant view, he said he'd
"like to look around the place II ! had
no objections. was perfectly will
ing and accompanied him. His ap-
poarance was not prepossessing; his
dress was rather shabby and his eyes
we're everywhere except ON my face
but in spite Of their watchfulness, he
had come near walking too close to the
kennel in which Bone a gigantic
and much-admired English mastiff,
spcnt his days. fastened by a stout
chain. The dog seemed TO dislike his
looks even more than l, and could hard
ly bo appeased.
Finally, in an embarrassed sort Of
wayne had evidently been trying TO
work up TO the subject gracefully, but
failed - my caller said he'd "heard
;hat my place was for sale"
assured him that was mistake,
whereupon he said that lc'd Thought
likely; but he took a -ort Of notion to
the place and thoucht = Il could be
bought reasonable he'1 iko 20 own IT,"
Ny vanity, OF course, vas touched at
having my choice approved, while at
the same time a vision Of the profits OF
building and selling arose before me.
said / would sell II / got sufficient
price, and at his request named a good,
round sum. He shrugged his shoul-
ders and said he couldn't pay any srch
money, but he thought he wouldn't
mind giving a certain sum, which he
named. and which was about half what
tho house had cost mo.
told him abruptly thst didn't care
to sell, and endoavored TO close the
conversation by moving toward the
house.
"If you should ever change your
mind you'll remember me, perhaps, -
said he, and handed me an old envelop
with his name on IL.
/ bade him "Good-day," and was
about throwing the cnvelop away when
the name struck me as familiar.
"Ephraim Jorton;" for moment !
couldn't recall where had seen it, but
soon remembered that it was the name
OF the grantor in that old deed, and
that l had deciphered the family name
on some Of the moss-grown headstone:
in the graveyard.
In vain / tried TO convince myself
that it was only a coincidence; that
my Jorton family must be scattered
and dead; l had to give myself up tc
detection.
1t is thus that the clouds OF trouble
roll over our heads. We no sooner re.
cover from one shadow and begin tc
bask in the sunshine OF happiness than
another takes it place. That night
as the church clock doomed out an
hour when l ought TO have been asleep
it seemed TO sound only a refrain tc
the words: TO them and their heirs
forever
As some victim OF involuntary vigils
has quoted II: sorrow endureth for
a joy, but night cometb in the morn.
ing"
So the next morning | arose, deter.
mined to drop the whole subject from
my mind. and / succeeded in so fan
that never mentioned the graveyard
nor even looked that way, II could
help 1t.
l had told Maria Of the stranger
foolish errand. but had said nothing
about the similarity Of names, foi
reasons already hinted at. There is
enough actual trouble in the world for
every one without giving them oc-
casion to borrow what really doesn'
exist
Months wont by, happy months for
us. Every thing hourishe about the
place; the garden, the young trees
and yinos that ! had planted, all grew
as plants never grew before on a new
p.acc.
One bright Sunday in November, as
we were sitting at lunch, Maria was
remarking pensively on the many
blessings we were enjoying. and (she
Is Of rather deyout turn Of mind)
was saying that we had good reason
for keeping Thanksgiving Day this
year If never before.
From where she sat she could look
out Of that lovely window toward the
village and the church, and at this
point she called my attention TO a
peculiar group in the street. they
had stopped In front Of the adjoining
lot, vacant lot owned by Mr.. Van
Grinder, and seemed hesitating for q
moment what TO do.
There was a very ordinary, raw
boned team OF horses attached TO a
heavy farm wagon, empty or nearly
so. On the drivers seat was a good
natured looking Irishman, and beside
him was quite AN old man, whom / re-