The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-14
A STRANGE GUEST.

"You're sure you won't be lonesome,
Jennie7'
Farmer John Harmon stood in the
glow of the broad fireplace, wrapped in
his great-coat aud mufIlor, his fur car
pulled down about his ears, and his
whip in his hand, while the paving
hoofs Of his impatient horses crunched
the snow outside. He stopped as he
spoke, and lifted his little daughters
chin till the clear, brown eyes looked
up, with the frank smile which always
warmed his heart.
"No, indeed, fatherl How could ]
be lonesome with such little chatter
box as Tony7 Hark! I do believe he's
waking now, the darlingW
'Tm sorry that Manda Lawson
couldn't have como to stay with you,
but, of course, if Jacks sick, it stands
to reason that she can't leave him. But
Steve and I'll be back before dark,
never fear. Hullol you were right,
Jennie. Here comes the little gen.
eralp
A chubby boy of three years old ap-
peared in his night-gown from the ad-
joining room, with cheeks rosy, and
yellow curls tangled from his morning g
nap. The father caught him in his
strong aims, and held him, shrieking
with laughter, above his head.
"Father'g little man! Walked up to
say good-by. He'll take good care ot
sister, won't hel"
The child leaped into the young girl s
outst-etched arms, and hid his face upon
her shoulder.
''Well, good-by Jennie~ He paus ed
moment, wistful look creeping over
his strong, sun Drowned face. "'Youre
liker your mother every day, my girl"
"Fatherl Fatherw called CHEEKY
voice outside.
Coming, Steve"
The door opened and let in a great
wave of frosty air, and, as it closed be-
hind him, the sturdy farmer clambered
to a seat beside his son, and, with crack
of whip and jingle of bells, the laden
sleigh slipped cheerily away.
Jennie stood at the window, still hold
ing the child. She was just fourteen,
although her slight. childish figure
made her seem younger than that by
two or three years. The death of her
No her when Tony was but helpless
babe had thrown premature burdens
upon her young shoulders, burdens
which she had borne with a patient, un-
selfish courage far beyond her years.
Jennie was quite used to be left alone
with her little charge, while her father
and brother were away at work, so it
was with no special sense of Loneliness
that she watched the moving sleigh un-
til it was lost at a sharp turn of the
forest-bordered road way. AS the
nearest neighbor lived a mile distant,
she could scarcely expect visitors on
such a day.
She turned away at last, and, taking
her place on low seat before the fire,
proceeded to dress the child, making
merry game of the task, as she told
over and over on his pink toes the story
of the ''f1ve little pigs"
Then, when she had given him his
breakfast of bread and milk, and placed
on the floor a box of well-worn play
things, she went briskly about her own
household tasks. The market-town tc
which her father and brother had gone,
was fully fifteen miles away, and, once
there, they must wait for the grinding
of their load of grain.
eve shall have long day to our.
selves, Tony dear" said Jenny more tc
herself than to the child; "but there'lI
be plenty to do, for sister must bake
the bread and cakes for Sunday, and
father and Steve will be wanting a good
hot supper tonight"
''Tony help sister" lisped the boy.
eyes, Tony shall help sister, and sis
ter will fry him doughnut man"
Clapping his chubby hands, the child
drew his little cricket to the table,
where, by climbing upon it, he could
overlook his sisters operations at hel
moulding board; and thus, with froIic
md cheer, the short winter day wore on.
But the sky which had been bright
at early morning, grew gradually over,
cast with clouds, and Jennie saw from
the window a heavy mist filing all the
air.
A few feathery flakes came floating