The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-06-20
A STRAGE GUEST.

You're sure you won't be lonesome, y
Jennie ?n
Farmer John Harmon stood in the glow
Of the broad fireplace, wrapped in his
great coat and muifierShis fur cap pulled
down about his ears, and his whip in
his hand, while the paving hoois of his
impatient horses crunched the snow out
side. He stopped as he spoke, and lifted
his little daughters chin till the clear,
brown eyes looked up, with the frank,
beaming smile which always warmed his
heart.
No, indeed, father How could | be
lonesome with such alittle chatter box as
Tony? Hark do believe he's waking
now, the darling -
I'm sorry that Manda Lawson couldn't
have come to stay with YOU, but, ofcourse
if Jacks sick, it stands 10 reason that she
can't leave him. But Steve and III be
BACK before dark, never fear HuIlo
You were right, Jennie here comes the
little General ~
A chubby boy of three years old APP
peared in his night-gown from the adj
joining room. with rosy cheeks and yell
low curls tangled from his morning nap.
The father caught him in his strong arms
and held him, shrieking with laughter,
above his head.
Fathers little man Walked up to say
goodbye Hen take good care Of sister,
won't he ?"
The child leaped into the young girls
outstretched arms, and hid his face upon
her shoulder
We'll. goodbye, Jennie p
He paused moment, wistful look
creeping over his strong, sun-browned
face. You're like your mother every
day, my girl"
Father father - called a CHEEKY voice
outside.
Coming, steye.n
The door opened and let in great
wave of frosty air, and, as it closed behind
him, the sturdy farmer clambered 10
seat beside his son, and with crack of
whip and jingle of bells, the laden sleigh
slipped cheerily away.
Jennie stood at the window, holding
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 mother when Tony was
but helpless babe had thrown prema-
! ture burdens upon her young shoulders,
which She had borne with patient, un-
selfish courage far beyond her tender
years.
Jennie was quite used to being left
alone with her little charge, while her
father and brother were away at work,
50 il was with no especial sense of loneli-
ness that she watched the moving sleigh
until it was lost at sharp turn of the
forest -bordered roadway. As the nearest
neighbor lived a mile distant, she
could scarcely expect visitors on such
day.
She turned away at last, and taking her
place on low seat before the fire, pro-
ceeded TO dress the child. making merry
game of the task, as she told over and
over on his pink toes the story of the five
little pigs
Then, when she had given him his
breakfast of bread and milk, and placed
on the floor box of well-worn lplay-
things she wen, briskly about her own
household tasks. The market town, TO
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.
I've shall have long day to ourselves
Tony DEAR said Jennie, more to herself 1
than to the child - buttherell be plenty |
to do, for sister must bake the bread and
cakes for sunday, and father and Steve
will be wanting good, hot supper to-
night
"Tony viii help sister" lisped the
boy
''Yes, Tony shall help sister, and
sister will fry him a mic doughnut |
man."
Clappin, his chubby hands. the child /
drew his little cricket to the table, where !
by climbing upon it, he could overlook /
his sisters operation at her molding- /
board /; and thus, with frolic and cheer,
the short winter day wore on.
But the sky, which had been bright |
at early morning. grew gradually over
east with cloads. and Jennie saw from
the window a heavy mist filling all the (
air. A few feathery fakes Came floating I
down as she spoke, and these proved TO /
be but the forerunners of a mighty host, /
as the storm settled over the landscape. I
Hour after hour passed. There were no I
longer any tracks 20 be discerned along 1
the narrow roadway which was the only
avenue through the forest
II grew presently 50 dark inside the I
cabin that Jennie was faint 10 place a
lighted lamp upon the table, and seat
herself to listen for the first sound of dis
tant sleigh bells. Tony curled himself !
upon her lap, and soon lost himself in 1
sleep.
Suddenly Jennie heard the muiiied
sound of q horse boofs upon the snow. /
A shadow darkened the window, and
moment later heavy knock resounded
n,,on the door. Jennie FASTENED TO open 1
il, with Tony, still unawakened, in her
arms.
The visitor, who stood holding his /
horse by the bridle-rein, was large, pow
erfnl-looking man, dressed in hunters
carb, with brace of pistols in his leath-
ern belt.
Some little city-bred maiden might
have tainted with fright at so formidable