Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-10-18
echaDcdown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday October IS, 1885,

took my valise in my hand, and went
home. Somehow the place didn't loek
right. The currant bushes had been
dug up from the front yard, and the
fence was gone. All the old locust
trees had been cut down and young
naples trees were planted. The house
looked smaller somehow, too. But |
went up to the front door and rang the
bell Mother came to the door and
! said 'We don't wish to buy anything
today, SIR
ut dln' t take me minute to snr.
vey her from head to foot. Neatly
dressed, John, but u patch here and
there, her hair streaked with gray, her
thin face, drawn and wrinkled. Yet
over her eyeglasses shone those good,
honest benevolent eyes. | stood star.
ing at her and she began to stare at
me. saw the blood rush to her face,
and with great sob she threw herself
upon me, and nervously clasped me
about the neck, hysterically crying It's
Jimmy, it's JIMMY
"Then l cried, toot John. just
broke down and cried like baby. She
got me into the house, hugging and
kissing me, and then she went to the
back door and shouted, George! 20
Father came in int moment, and
from the kitchen, asked, what do you
want, Car 'line:'
"Then he came in. lie knew me in
a moment. He struck out his hand and
graspcd mine and said sternly: Well
young man. do you propose to behave
yourself now
lie tried to put on IL brave front, but
broke down. There we three sat like
whipped school children, all whimper'
ing. At last supper time came and
mother went out to prepare it. went
into the kitchen with her.
Where do you live Jimmy?' she
asked.
"In Now York, | replied.
"What are you workin' at now, jim
my ?'
I'm workln' in dry goods store.
"Then suppose you don't live very
high, for hear tell O thcm city clerks
what don't get enough money to kecI
body and soul together. So III jus
tell vou Jimmy, we've got nothin' bu
roast spareribs fcr supper. We ain
got any money now, Jimmy. We're
poorer nor Jobs turkey
II told her would be delighted will
the spareribs, and to tell the truth
John, | haven eaten a meal in N. \.
that tasted as well as those crisp roast
ed sparcribs did. spent the evening
PLAYING checkers with father, while
mother sat by telling me all about thel
misfortunes from old white Mooley get
ting drowned in the pond to father
signing note for friend and having
to mortgage the place to lay it. Th
mortgage was due inside of week anc
not cent to meet it with--just $500
She supposed they would be turned ou
of house and home, but in my mind
supposed they wouldn't, At last
o'clock came and father said Jim, 6
out to the barn and see if Kit is al
right. Bring in an armful Of old shin
giles that are just inside the door an
fill up the water pail. Then we'll 8
off to bed and get up early and go a.iish
: ing
Il didn't say word, but went OH
, TO the barn, beddcd down the horse
broke up an armfull Of shingles, pump
ed up IL pail of water, filled the wood
box, and then we all went to bed.
Father called me at 4 so in tn
morning, and while he was getting
cup of coffee l skipped over to the de
, pot cross lots and got my best bras
g rod. Father took nothing but a troll
, ing line and spoon hook. He rowe
the boat with the trolling line in hi
, mouth, while 1 stood in the with Il 81
e yer sinner rugged on. Now, John,
!. never saw man catch fish like he die
To make long story short, he caugt
e four bass and five pckerel and | neye
[ got bite.
: "At noon we went ashore and fathe
went home, while went to the post
Office. l got letter from Chicago wit
a check for LOCO in it. With som
trouble got it cashed, getting paid i
G So and $1O bills, making quite ro
). l then got roast joint of beef and
e lot OF delicacies and had them sell
home. After that | went visiting m
A old schoolmates for two hours and wer
home. The joint was in the oven.-
| Mother had put on her only silk dreE
| and father had uonned his Sunday 60