Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-04-17

with fifteen to twenty hands to feed,
tell you it's no child's play
No, indeed, IL aIn'tI' said Miss
Tabitha, alphabetically. And l tell
you what. when harvestin' comes
again, I'd have her help me, or I'd
know the reason why
Lori I'd as soon put a big wax doll
TO work over the cooking stove, as her,
with her pink cheeks and golden hair
said Mrs. Grey. But come and let me
show you the house
They both left the kitchen, and for
while 1 felt pretty indignant at the way
they talked about dear little Bessy, who
had brought us so much sunshine and
happiness; l had no way OF showing
my anger, however, except by striking
very hard and then stopping all OF
sudden with a snap
Il wonder what does all that old
clock? 1t acts so queer at times, cried
Mrs. Grey, rushing back into the
kitchen, followed by Miss Sims.
It's getting old, my DEAR said the
latter. If you had run as. many years
as that old fossil. you'd act queer, too
Now this made me angry with Miss
Sims, and 1 never will forgive her as
long as live! Old, indeed, the spiteful
minGl Why, she can't be Oh the sunny
side OF sixty herselfl
And what does lady Elizabeth do all
the time you are working SO hardp'
said Miss Sims, resuming her seat, and
continuing a conversation she had
started in the other part OF the house,
she embroiders and writes a good
deal or her time,' l believe, answered
Mrs. Grey.
'Embroiders and writes. Upon my
wordl A nice way to spend her time,
truly, while you are doing the drudgery.
Well, there's no telling what the world
Is coming to, and us with it. What
does she do with all her embroidery and
wrltn' after she's finished 'em, any
howP'
I'm sure 1 can't tell. I've often
wondered myself
And haven't you never found out?'
Miss Sims seemed SO astonished at
this want of curiosity that she almost
tumbled out OF her seat.
Il would like to see myself staying
in the house with woman this long
and not find out what she was doing,
no matter how big secret il WASH
oh, it's no secret, L suppose!' said
Mrs Grey. Il just guess she writes a
good many letters TO her fine city
friends, and sends the embr oIdery to
them as presents
'Humphl pretty extravagant for poor
Johnl Really, there is no telling what
she might take to next. Priscilla, I'm
sorry for you.
on, she's good little thing enough?'
sighed Mrs. Grey, but 1 could wish
she was more suited to farm life.'
They talked on some little time
longer, and then the visitor rose TO go.
Won't you stay To tea, Tabitha?'
No, L thank you, Priscilla. | have
three other calls to make this evening,
and must be going, sail the old gossip;
ana l knew as well as If she had told
me that she was going TO spread every
word Mrs. Grey had said, and more
beside, all over TattletOwn.
TIE mother hustled about and soon
had supper ready, and at six O'Clock
| pretty, gleeful Bessy. who was scarcely
more than a child herself, rode home
| from the meadow on load of hay with
little Bob, Johns orphan nephew, and
John driving on the front seat. How
do i know? Why, saw them through
the window, In the barn lot, TO be sure
How else should l knowp'
1t did my heart good to see this
/ blithe young creature enllyenlng the
old folks with her merry chatter. Every
night after supper she would help Mrs.
Grey wash and put away the things,
and put the kitchen in order, then she
would draw the old white-haired
fathers chair for him out on the porch
| in the warm evenings, and lighting his
pipe with her own willing fingers, seal
herself at his knee to listen to the
! Gfn Of III
| that he loved to tell. What is more
soothing to old PEOPLE than the loving
attention of the young? No doubt fl
must have made John awfully happy
to see how his wife was stealing into
| his parents hearts.
a year and then another rolled by
One night, at supper, John looked sad
and wouldn't eat the slices of delicious
bread and rich cream that his mother
pressed on MIN; even when little Bessy
broke open boiled egg, and prepared
1t IN a glass with butter and pepper and
salt for him, he was not tempted. Now
If man refuses food, and especially
when offered by such hands as hers
everybody knows there is something
wrong.
What is the matter. John dearP' she
said, going to his chair and resting 6
| tender hand on his shoulder. Are yoI
sick, that you have no appetizer
The look Oh her sweet face wa
enough TO make any man pretend sick
ness just to bring 1t there.
No, Pm not sick, said John, lean
ing his head dejectedly on his hand
but I'm terribly d.sappointedp
why. what has happened, my son?
said the cid man, looking anxiously a
the troubled couptensnce of his boy.
oh, said John, Il know it is child isl
to act In this way, and l am ashame
of myself, but you all know how
have toiled for years. my sole ambition
being TO be able one day to buy tn
Arnold Farm, which is the riches
piece of land in all this country; TIL
house is comfortable, too, with all tn
modern convenlences. I've alway
thought, and especially since my mar
rage, that If l could get that place
would be q contented man; but l neye
dreamed of its being put up for sale s.
soon after the last party bought it, ant
was hoping all along that when it dIt
sell the figure would not be too higl
for me. But yesterday they put u
advertisements on trees and fences 70
miles along the turnpike, saying that I
| would De sofa TOT nVe thousand dollar
cash and not cent less / saw Arnol
to-day, and he said he was very anxlou
to leave Immediately, and would SCI
it to me the next hour for forLy-fv
hundred If had the money. trie,
TO compromise by paying the create
part down and a small balance in tn
next six months; but he said 1t must D
cash or nothing; that he was In need o
the money for another investment. II
told me that he preferred TO sell 1t L
me privately. If he possibly could, 70
be hated auction sales
My son, 1 wish that l could hel
you,' said his father; but have YER
little in the bank since l sent that las
check to James, and this years crop
have not been sold yet.
Il know it, father; know you woul
help me If you could, and feel grateful
, / hur II seams hard that l sh0uld los