The National tribune., 1889-04-25

"Make up box and send it to them,' said
Harrie's clear voice.
No person had seen her shed tear. In the
silence of her chamber, on the night OF her
wedding, she had committed
HER soLDIER-HUsBAND TO THE CARE OF GOD,
and promised her Heavenly Father that no
girlish weakness should prevent the keeping OF
her promise TO be son and daughter to Fred S
mother, and to prove herself worthy to be
soldiers wife,
8" How shall we do it {? asked Mrs. Austin.
/" Has there never been an aid society here p
Harrie asked. CAT Ann Arbor they have a
Soldiers Aid Society, that meets as often rs
necessary, doing all kinds of work. | used to
think it was rare fun to scrape lint; now .
and she choked back a lump in her throat
" it is my duty and blessed privilege to do 1t for
our own boys at the front"
1--WE could put a notice in the Courier,
mother, and call the ladies together, couldn't
We? They could meet here" said Ethel
" Yes, but yesterday was paper day, and 1t
would be week before we could do it."
Harrie looked up quickly, and said eagerly /:
Mother, let me take Fan, and I'll go right
around this afternoon and notify everybody"
Let you take Fan, my daughter? Why
Fan is yours, as is everything on the farm
while Fred is gone," said Mrs. Austin, smiling
on the eager young face. Fred and talked
it all over that night he went away, and he
said that you are a better farmer than he is !;
that he had perfect confidence in your manage
ment; that he would trust you with anything
you undertook"
HARRIEs FACE REDEEMED
under this unlooked-for commentator, and
her heart swelled with gratitude and love to
him who had expressed such perfect trust IN
her. The sisters opened their eyes in astonish-
ment, and Annie said, laughingly;
"ld like to know how Fred found out so
much about you? Here we've known you just
as long as he has, and never knew you were
farmer before"
Neither am T." said Harrie, with laugh !;
''but I've got theories and what | know
about farming would throw Horace Greeley en-
tirely in the shade"
Il suppose" continued Mrs. Austin, that
Fred intended to talk with you about It, and
perhaps make some suggestions; now, as 1t
stands, we will talk it over together, and see
what is best to be done. The crops are in good
condition; the hay is in, but harvest will be
soon coming on, and the farmers heaviest work
to be done. OF course you'll have to get a
strong man to help you, If one is to be iound.
Old Billy isn't worth much but for chores"
Harrie was a quick thinker, and took it all
in. Drawing a deep breath, she quietly fold
ed her work, laid it in Ethels lap, and, turning
to her mother, said My hands are little, but
NleY are StTO1B, accept INC pUSlGiOlii Due you
must let me work in my own way"
All right, dear; it shall be SC" and taking
the two small brown hands in her own, Mrs.
Austin kissed them and the pure frank face
appraised to her own.
Harrie was soon riding abont the village tell
ing the women of the new work for their
hands, and all said, Only tell us what to do;
we are ready" The next afternoon was APP
pointed for the meeting.
flor 1utv HaTTIp
to the one barbershop the village afforded, dis
mounted and went in. The astonished barber
opened his eyes very wide as she loosened her
magnificent hair and said: e / wish this to be
removed Cut it carefully so that | may pre-
serve it; cut that which is left, not too short,
but so as to be becoming. Do you understands
"0h, yes," said the barber, in a dazed way,
while he wondered about the freak Of the
young stranger.
Next, she visited the milliner's, and fitted to
her head a little white hat, and also bought a
| broad Panama for out-ofdoOr work; then TO a
store for some soft flannel ofarmy blue, and some
strong, brown linen. which she took TO the
dressmakers.
Drawing ont her little watch she exclaimed
My goodness, here it IS almost 8 o'clock
| way past teatime; they will think I'm lost"
As she stopped at the postotfice for the mail
she noticed an unwonted excitement, and hel
heart gave quick bound as she said to herself
they have heard from the boys"
WHAT Is TT"
she asked breathlessly
"There's been hard fighting all day, Miss, al
| Gettysburg; the boys are all in it, | expect"
No particulars had reached them. She rode
rapidly homeward, sending up silent prayel
/ in the same words over and over-"O, God
protect my beloved"
"Shall / tell Them" she asked herself, OF
let them have one more night of peace? 1t j:
so near night no one will be likely to come in
| think I'll wait"
"Why, where have you been? What kept
you ?" cried Ethel.
What have you done to yourself?" ex
claimed Annie. How funny you look"
She could not yet trust herself to speak, but
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