Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-01-31
uERLE'S CRUSADE.
BY ROSA NAUCHETTE CAREY.
Author of barbara Hedtheote's Trial, "
"Oueenie's Within" 1.-THE Search
for RUsiI TJTadh1lTsto

"A WOODEN screen SHuJ US OI lIUil JuO
fire. From my place at the table had
good view Of the inner kitchen and
smaller courtyard with a well in it;
pleasant breeze came through the open
door.
As soon as the children were helped,
Hannah came back looking rather shame
faced but extremely happy, and followed
by Luke Armstrong. He greeted US rath-
er shyly, but seated himself at Molly's
bidding. He was Short sturdy-looking
young fellow, with crisp, curling hair,
and an honest, good tempered face. He
seemed intelligent and well-mannered,
and | was disposed TO be pleased with
Eannah's sweetheart.
/ found afterward from Molly, when she
took me into the dairy, that Michael Sow
erby had consented to recognize the en-
gagement, and that it was looked upon as
a settled thing in the household.
"Hannah is the youngest of us girls,
and a bit spoiled" observed Molly, apollo
getically. 81 told father it was all nom
sense, and Hannah was only chit, but
it seemed he had no mind To cross her.
The folks ut ScrOggin's Mill is not much
TO our taste. but Luke is the best of the
bunch, and a good, steady lad, with a
head on his shoulders He was for going
to London to seek his fortune" continued
Molly, "for Miller Armstrong is a poor
sort Of father to him, and Martin elbows
hun out of all chances of getting any of
the money; but Squire Hawtry Of the Red
Farm, where Lydia lives rs dairymaid,
has Just lost his head man, and he offered
Luke the place. That is what he had
been telling Hannah this afternoon in the
farm yard; So if Hannah is IL god girl, as
tell her, and saves her bit Of money, and
Luke works his best, Squire Hawtry will
he letting them have one of the new cot
tages he has built for the farm servants,
and a year or TWO may see them settled
IN fl to begin life together" And here
Molly drew II hard. work rougheued hand
across her eyes, rs though her own words
touched her.
81 am very glad for IIannah's sake" l
returned. Ssh" is good girl, and de
serves TO be haI Nv"
An, they Arc all good girls" replied
Molly. Hannah is no better than the
rest, though we have bit spoiled her,
being the youngest, and mother dead.
There's Martin at ScrOggins Mill wants
Iyddy, but Lyddy is too sensible to be
listening to the likes of him. No, no,
Lyddy,' | say. whatever you do never
money; he will love his guincas more than
his wife; better be doing work all your
ife ana die single. ms / shall than be mis-
trcss of Scroggiu's Mill if Martin is TO be
MASTER
You give your sisters very good advice"
! returned.
81 have not much else to give them"
was the abrupt answer: but they are
pppI ytrlg and Eppu mann The
boys are rather II handful especially Dan,
who is always bird catching on Sunday,
and won't see the sin of it. But there,
one must take boys rs one finds them and
not put ourselves in the place Of prOvi-
dence. They want u deal OF patience, and
patience is not in my nature, and If Dan
comes To- a bad end with his lame leg and
brd-traps, nobody must blame me, who
haa always a scoldIng ready for him If he
will take it,"
saw Dan presently under rather disad-
vantageous circumstances, for as we came
ont Of the dairy who should come riding
under the great pear tree but Mr.. Hawtry,
with "A red headed boy sitting behind him,
with pair of dirty hands grasping his
coat. never saw such Il freckIed face
nor such red hair in my life, and he
looked ut Molly So rogushly from under
Mr.. lIawtry's shoulder, there was no
mistakng that this was the family scape-
grace.
Good evening, Molly" called out Mr.
Hawtry, checrfuIIy; 81 am carrying home
Dan In pillou fashion. because the rogue
has dropped his crutch into the mill-dam,
and he could not manage with the other.
! found him in difficulties, sitting under
the mill hedge, very tired and hungry.
You will let him have his tea, Molly, rs it
was accident, and not mischief. | forgot
To say the other Crutch is lying in the
road broken: it broke itsef-didn't it,
DAMN it's attempt to get him homc:"
and here Mr. IIawtry's eyes twinkled, but
he could not Ice induced, neither could
Dan, to explain the mystery of the broken
crutch
You will come to a bad end Dan" re
marked Molly, severely, as she lifted
down the boy. not ovcrgentlv: but she
forbore To shake him, rs he was wholly IN
her powcr-a piece of maguanimity on
Molly'S part.
MIR. lIawtry dsmounted, perhaps To see
that Dan had mcrciful treatment; but he
need not have been afraid, Molly had too
large u heart % he hard on a crippled boy,
and one who was her special torment and
and certainly not red headed Dan.
lie was soon established in his special
chair, with "A thick wedge of cold buttercd
cake in his hand. ScoIding did not hurt
n, tong as Molly saw to his comforts, and
Dan looked as happy as a king in spite of
his lost crutchcs
Mr. lawlry came into the kitchen, and
when he saw us thought he started a lit
a4 thpuiyh ~ ,yprN gr1rnrfy.,l ,,,.I L.,
came up to me mt once
Good evening Miss Fcutou: / did not
expect to see you here, ana my little friend.
too. - aS Joyce rs usual ran up 10 him.
what a lovely evening ven have for your
walk homeI You did not bring Miss Cher
ton with your"
''N0, she has visitors this afternoon: the
children and have had our tea here. aud
now It is Reggics bed time"
''Shall call Hauuah2" he returned.
hastily for was pHtHag Reggie in his
pcramhulator. II saw her wukiuL down
the orchard with Luke Armstrong and
Matthew" And as thanked him he badc
Molly good bye, aud putting his arm
through his horses hridIr. in another mo
meut we could hear Il IcarwntStlc.
Hannah came at once; size looked happy
and rosy. and whispered to Molly as we
went down the court yard together Mr.
Hawtry was at the horse block: rs he
mounted he called M, 10y name. aud asked
If the little girl would like "A ride
knew he would be careful bat all the
same longcd to refuse. only Joyce looked
disappointed and ready to cry.
"Oh, nurse, do let mel" she implored, in
such a coaNjug voice.
My horse is As quiet rs lamb. You
may safely trust her, Miss Fcutou." he
said SO persuasively lei myself he over
ruled, II was very pretty 10 see Joyce as
he held her before him and rode down
the lane. She had such nice color and
her eyes were bright and sparkling as she
laughed back at me
II was very Kind OF Mr. Hawtrv. It
seemed 70 ME hs never lost any opportun-
ity of giving children pleasure. But /
was glad when the ride ended and lifted
Joyce 10 the ground
She claSped me tightly in her glee. 'It
was so nice. so VERY nice. nursey dearr'
she exclaimed
As looked up and thanked Mr.. Haw-
try, found that he was watching us,
smiling.
I am afraid your faith was not equal to
Joycc's, he said rather mischievou sly.
Il would net let Peter canter, out of pity
for YOUR fears"
Il beg your pardon, " Istammered. rath-