River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-11-08

SAutch- - hutt5 aWlutiy SOmetlmeS.
and then cry, aud mother rocks me
in her arms and cries too; and then We
both feel better. But couldn't climb
the fence, even II | wanted, nor run,
nor any thing"
We'll, IL you don't, your brothers
will, returned Miss Lydia
mo, they wouldn't. They're away
all day; and besides it's wicked to steal.
Didn't you know that?"
'Humph!" said Miss Lydia, though
/ in somewhat modified tone.
a moment later, giant red chrys :
anthemum found its way through the
knOt-hOle. with hasty: There. run
away, child!' and the little crutch went
1 tapping back to the house, with the
coveted prize.
IL soon became quite regular thing,
/ for the little blue-eye tO-appear at the
I knOt-hOle. when Miss Lydia was tend
ing her flowers in the morning; and
uncOnsciously she began 10 watch for
it. and miss il if it was not there.
With his innocent prattle. and gifts
OF cherry-stOne baskets and impossible
/ boats, gradually the little fellow found
his way through the outer crust to
/ Miss Lydia's heart; and not few fra
/ grant blossoms fell through The hole.
into the eager little hands.
What's your name?" he asked one
day. in childish curiosity. Mines
Jerry-Jerry Howell. l was named
after my papa. He died far away in
I California; but lie used 10 live in this
very place, and he told us to come back
to his old home, and may be somebody
would be kind to US. for his sake"
The trowel dropped upon the box
border. Jerry Howell! The name she
never thought TO hear again; buried in
the past. with her youth and happi-
nessi
The child rambled on, but she did
not heed him, and presently he went
away.
There had been a lovers quarrel.
which had terminated fatally. II was
mostly her fault, and she knew it,
though she had been 600 proud to own
IL But somehow she had never for
gotten the look in those blue eyes. as
the garden gate slammed behind the
boyish figure that went stridirc down
the street between the rows % naples.
The next week he sailed for the far
West; and some years later the news
came back to his native town that he
vas happily married. From that time
Miss Lydia was a changed creature;
for in her heart she had truly loved
blithe, impulsive Jerry Howell, and
too late bitterly repented her hasty
words
She buried herself vigorously in her
uncongenial work of country school
teaching. until called home by the adj
vancing age of her parents. who finally
passed away, leaving her with mod
est income and the old brick house.
Almost all her young friends had
married or scattered, and those who
remained were repealed by her GOODNESS
and reticence; so she was left almost
entirely to herself and it was little
wonder that her life became narrowed
and sunless.
And now Jerry Howell was dead. and
the sweet-faced, fair-haired little wom-
an in black. with the two manly lads
and the delicate little cripple. were his
wife and children. And they had come
to live under the very shadow Of her
roof She had always heard that truth
was stranger than fiction; but now she
had living proof of it.
The next day the little blue eye was
missing. and the next. and the next.
At last Miss Lydia grew uneasy, in
spite of herself. She actually went out
of her way. on an errand to the mar
ket, in order TO pass the house. And
there was old DIR. Maxwelrs gig tied
up to the post.
Mrs Howell opened the door fog him
just at that moment, and seeing the
tall figure lingering at the gate. came
down the steps with a pleasant smile
and Outstretched hand.
You must come in and see jerry"
she said. He has been asking for
you, and viii re so glad to see you"
Il thought, perhaps" begun Miss
Lydia, hesitating. II only wanted to
find out"
Yes" said Mrs. Howell, kindly,
he had one of his bad turns, worse
than usual; but we hope he will be
better soon. Here he is an here, :" and
she led the way to the bedroom.
II knew you'd come" exclaimed the
child. sitting up in bed. and putting up
his mouth for kiss. This is the nice
lady who gives me all the flowers"
Yes" said Mrs. Howell 81 have
often wanted to thank you for your
kindness to my little boy. He has so
much enjoyed your garden
Flowers don't cost any thing" re-
piled Miss Lydia
''Oh yes. they do" interrupted Jer-
ry. They cost lots OF time and work,
and when the big ones stick in the hole.
you can't get them out, and that's
bother. isn't it?"
Il hope from this time forth that we
shall be very good friends. and see
great deal OF each other" said Mrs.
Howell. turning her smiling face upon
Miss Lydia
Il never make calls, she answered,
stifiy.
mo. not formal calls" said Mrs. |
Howell. But we are ueighbors. you
know. and ] am very lonely here. |
although il was my husbands birth |
place. II it were not for my little Jer-
~" she continued. Il should be very |
desOlate. My ether boys are away all |
day at work. long to put them in |
school; but they have to help me. now |
their father is gone. Tho evenings, |
though, are our happy times, when we
have little class in Latin, algebra and
history. / was gOverness, before |
was married, and try to turn my ex-
perience to account, for their sakes."
Miss Lydia's call was very brief; but
before she left. both Jerry and his
mother had extracted from herSprOm-
ise to come again-and come she did,
to her own surprise. no. once. but |
often; and seldom empty-handed. |
Sometimes il was a bunch of the cher |
ished flowers or a red-cheeked apple; |
aud then. when the little frame grew |
weaker, bowl OF nourishing chicken
soup. or a dish Of calves foot jelly.