Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-07-11

need arose in the family, and she could
not Withhold her store.
Then winter came, and the old man,
rapidly growing feeble, was quite shut in,
and deprived of even the soft carpet Of
grass which his shutting feet preferred to
the Objectionable planks. In every other
way he was marvel of patience, but his
lamentations over the want Of carpet
nearly drove the women mad with pity.
81 was a-dreamin' OF my own funeral,
child" he said to Hetty, as he reused
himself from long nap. 81 don't feel
to hev much dread of it in general, but ]
seemed to hear the trompin' of the mems
feet on the boards as they kerried me out,
an it hurt my very heart, Hetty, rely il
did"
Hetty was desperate. "He shall hav.
carpet" she said, imperatively; and
writing an account of the old mans fancy,
that was touching, from its simple truth,
she begged for an advance sufficient te
buy cheap carpet, pledging herself to
pay for it in work.
Then the women, not telling what had
been attempted, for fear of disappoint
ment, watched for a letter long before
there was possibility of getting an an.
swer. At last the teamster, whose week
ly trip to the far-away railroad station
and postoffice was the wide neighbor'
hoods only communication with the out
side world, brought Hetty thick pack
age, from which fell out a number OF
letters, all directed to herself in Vermont.
The explanation was in letter enclosed
with them, from the man she had refused
to believe false to her, and the unopened
letters were his vindication.
On reaching home, after the autumn
vacation when he met her, he had beer
despatched, at an hours notice, to Japan
by the firm who employed him. 1t was
a mission of great responsibility, an op'
portunity not to be refused, but the time
allowed was all required to master the
details, and there was not a moment fol
writing to Hetty. The first letter be
had the opportunity of sending was SC
many months in reaching Vermont that
Mrs. Bliss, who considered herself e
model of worldly wisdom, decided that
Hetty had better not hear from one who,
she felt certain, meant no good. She
took the responsibility of suppressing it,
as well as the many which followed, til!
at last they ceased to come.
On Aliens return from Japan he wrote
Immediately, hoping to obtain an ex'
PLANTATION of his unanswered letters, and
Mrs. Bliss, being somewhat pricked by
her conscience, returned all the letters te
the business address printed on the last,
but refused to furnish him with Hetty's
address.
81 should have found you some way
dear" he wrote, "but accident helped
t me. My cousin is one of the bookkeep'
, ers at the 'Women's Exchange, and to
, night found her crying over lette1
that had been given her to answer. L
E was yours, Hetty, and am not ashamed
| to tell you, that l cried too-with jo.
: that found you, and sorrow that yo'
: were in trouble You can be sure tina
e started for a carpet store at once, bu
=, they were all shut up, so l flew home t.
7 Write tnls TO you.
o "The poor old duffer (excuse me,
e mean clergyman shall have his carpet a
fast as steam can carry it to him, if on
with yard-wide roses on a bright greel
v ground, is still an article of commerce il
t these aesthetic days. And, my darling,
hope to get to you as soon as the carpet
r for will trust no more to letters. An
i other night shall find me speeding to
t ward my little girl, who shall never es
G cape me again, for if l cannot persuad
: YOU to leave that wild place, my pearl o
: pearls, my long-lost jewel that l am fly
IS ing to claim, l shall give up the tempt
d ing prospect of a junior partnership i
II our firm, and turn cowboy and sta
n with you there"
1t The sick mans happiness was pathetic
e He rejoiced in Hetty's innocent joy
v having her lovers truth proved, but h
n enfeebled mind dwelt most on the pros
e pect of having his dearest wish gratifeo
10 The lover arrived before the carpe
s which he assured them was speedily
@ follow. 1t would have accompanied hin
E but little time was required to pack an
v ship it, and he was too impatient to wal
a The old mans eyes kindled with alno
Iy Youthful fire when, replying to his eag
is questions, Allen described the glories
the new carpet. He had grown te
rt weak to sit up, but, as he piteously e;
S. planned, "He'd feel more like gettir
ID about when he had q carpet to walk o.
er An roses on it, too" he whispered
IN Hetty, as she gave him drink, ''lil
to them big posies, mebbe, thet me an h
u stood upon to get merried. I wuz t.
shamefaced to look the minister in e
m eve fore all her folks, so stared dov
ed at the big red noses, an thought he
ty glad I'd be ter give her poises to walk
er all her days"
he The sun was setting when the grindil
d, of heavy wheels and the teamster's lo'
Ter whoas to his horses, as they brought t
loaded wagon to the door, broke t
nd awed silence that the approach of dea
g, imposes upon even the most thoughtle'
1T The sounds wakened the old man, W
had lain for hours in half stupor. {
, q has comer' he exclaimed, joyfully. ct
od carpets comel Liam feared ali
got strength to walk on it much, but an
~ how twill be here for the funeral, {
Il there won't be no trompin' an stomp
I on bare boards"
M They ran to the door to hurry the tre
or IRE in. and with eager hands cut the col