The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-04-19

long an dig yer some sassyfras. Sassyfraa
is most beautiful colorin'. Nighabout az
good, low, as fady calico"
Ethers delight was unbounded, as Towsley
unfolded this ingenious plan, and she ran
hastily Off to rehearse the good news to the
lazy tabby cat, that, no doubt, would have
preferred chickens to the most cunningly-
colored eggs that were ever seen.
Thus deserted, Towsley strolled out into
the garden and wandered around the ia
miliar enclosure. 1t was the commence
ment of the gardening season, albeit the
days were yet raw and chilly-some of them
and Towsley could scarcely raise the ring
ing tune with which he was accustomed to
cheer himself
Even sparrow can not fall to the earth
'thout His notice" he whispered, as he hob
bled tremblingly about. AN air you not
of more value than many sparrows? Oh,
we of little faith"
Then the song rose clear and full, with
only the vibrations incident to . failing
voice..
TITS not a war of flesh an blood;
fight fer Heaven; fight fer God;
A kingdom, with my rights in;
Oh that's the war fer me-
The next day he visited the wood-lot, and
on his return bound the sassafras roots up
with his load of sticks
"'Twas a good idee. he cried. cheerfully,
as he deposited the burden in the back
yard. The sassyfras II do the colorin' an
also ma ie the tea I've been wishin' fer tea
the whole winter, an never onct thought O.
that sassyfras!"
"'Twas the Easter eggs. gran'pa" Ethel
explained, solemnly. 1T must "a been"
Il dono but you're right 1 dono but
you're right" he assented, rather struck
with the idea "All things work fer good
to them that love Him. Yes; dono but you
air. Wen believe so anyhow"
He hustled about quite briskly after that,
preparing their simple meal; while the tea
pot sang merrtly, as the fragrant steam
arose like incense from it.
I've got two eggs now, gran'pa!" said
Ethel. proudly. as she sat at his side while
he helped her from the dishes
What air you 'Iowin' to do with 'ems" he
questioned. You can't eat all o. emf
I'm a-goin' to roll 'em down the hill,
gran'pa, an fight 'em with Sissy Tanner.
An I'll give you one, gran'pa; an I'll save
two forever an ever. Sissys got four eggs.
now. But don't keer. Specks eggs is the
best an purtiest"
80 they be, So they be-" Towsley
agreed Il hope you'll allus be as well sat
istied as You air now. Ones own things air
allus the best O. their kind in the worr It's
human natur to think so; an it's right"
In spite of his cheerfulness Tom Towsley
knew that their stock of provisions was
dreadfully low. He had made an inventory
that morning before starting to the wood
lot. Ten days fare, of the very scantiest
kind, was all that he could reckon up,
scrape as he might at the echoing -four
| barrel and the almost empty meat keg.
The next morning, with this knowledge
impressed firmly on his mind, he began q
search for work.
Itwas not successful but he continued
| 1t. regardless of his aches and pains and
failing strength
The only one of the family if the ex-
preston NAV be allowed that seemed pros
pering in business way was Speck. Day
after day her transparent cackle resounded
from the little chicken-house, where, In an
old. straw-filled keg she had chosen her
nest
At the first note Ethel would bound
through the doorway, and white, chubby
hand would quickly extract the treasure
from its resting-place. Speck always eyed the
performance askance; but she evidently re-
garded this spoliation of her nest as the in
evitable fate of the egg-laying sisterhood
At any rate, she never changed its location,
or failed on any day to add an egg to EthePs
pearly hoard
The afternoon before Easter Tom lows
ley returned earlier than usual from his
unsuccessful quest He could scarcely mus
ter the cheerfulness and bravery necessary
to enable him to raise the song with which
he always heralded his coming For more
than year he had not once failed in this
Nor did he fail now; though there was .
quaver IN the words not wholly due to age.
For two DAYS Towsley had practically
tasted While placing before Ethel the last
scanty remnants of food, he had kept from
her the knowledge Of his abstention BY the
harmless fiction that headache had de-
prived him of an appetite. That noon
Ethel had devoured her restricted allow
ance and hungrily called for more. Alas!
there was no more.
Weak from ill-health and lack of food.
Towsley had made another vain endeavor
to ind work Now he was returning to a
hungry grandchild and an empty cup
board And tomorrow would be Easter;
that day when the whole earth should be
filed with cheer and gladness!
He fairly reeied as he passed into the
yard: but when Ethel came running to
meet him. he Strengthened up with great
effort and carried her in his accustomed
manner.
He dreaded the announcement which he
knew would come.
"Gran'pe, Speck's laid another egg! an
now I've got a dozen fer to-morrer. A
whole, big dozen."
II spose one O. 'em wouldn't do fer ye,
would it:" he asked, trying to speak quite
cheerfully.
She looked up in alright
why, you amt a-goin' to sell 'em, gram
pa?"
We'll, low / dono what fcw do! It's
jes' as you say, though, Ethel Fact Is, I
can't git any work, howsever much try;
an we eat up the las bit o. vittIes at noon.
dozen aigs amt much; but they'd git a
dust O. meal an a bit o. bacon-'nough
mebbe to Last day er two"
His chin quivered as he made the pitiful
confession and big tear rolled down each
furrowed cheek
Ethel was only . child and could not