Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-07-04
MisCellaMeom5,
A FROZEN HEART.

Two children !" said Decimus Black
Coming here! won't have EN- --ant
there's the end of it"
Mr.. Black stood on the red -bricl
hearth in front of the big wood fire, il
an attitude of the intensest luminosity
an open letter in his hand, frowr
darkening his rugged face
Mrs. Black paused in her occupation oil
stocking intending panied expression
passed over her toil-worn lineaments.
''But they are your own sons chill
dren, Decimus,' she pleaded "And
their grandma on their mothers side is
dead, and there amt no one to care for
'em at Hills Hollow"
"Well, can't help that retorted
the old man, setting his yellow teeth to-
gether. edo the Hills Hollow folks
think keep free tavern don't like
children. | never did. When John
James married aud had II family he
didn't consult me--and amt goin' Ia
support EN- | want that clearly UNDER
stood. AT my age | can't have children
racketing about the house. | brought
up John james and Esther Anne
and that's all that can be expected of me 7
Mrs. Blacks countenance fell. In her
secret mind she had nil the morning
been planning what room John james
orphans should have, how she wculd
unpack sundry broken toys that she kept
in Il chest in the garret-sole relics Of
the only child she ever had had-for
their behoof, and what CLEAN of sun
shine their presence would bring int
! the silent dreary house. They were no
7 18th ao4 kin Of hor, being the grand.
children of Decimus' first wife, yet hon
heart warmed to them with longing ten
derness.
at seems most pity" said she,
mot to-"
"We won't argey the question nc
furder," said Black, sharply; 81 amt
goin' to hev EN- here and that's the
long and the short of it.
"But, father, they're on the way here
alreadyw
Then they'll hev to be on tho way
back, that's all, afore they're twenty
four hours older"
And Decimus Black went out. Five
minutes later the ring of bis axe at the
woodpile, sharp and sudden, gave the
key note to his mood of st crn resolve.
'Is this the house, Kitty p said little
Johnny Black, as the stage driver helped
him out of the creaking old vehicle.
"Does grandpa live here2 Oh. dear, |
do hope there's good FIRE, because Pm
so frozen cold p
The older sister, mite of ten, stood
on tiptoe to sound the knocker, while
littleJ ohnny chung to her, with one hand
on the tattered carpet-sack that contain
ed their earthly stores,
"Ain't there no one there p faltered
he.
II don't know" said Kitty. "Tll
knock again"
Still no answer came. Mrs. Black
was out feeding her chickens in the
barnyard, and old Decimus was perform
ing his nightly task of milking, in the
safe shelter of the constable. AS i,
happened, he was the first to re-cnter
the house and confront the little crea.
lures, who were still patiently waiting
on the doorstep.
"Oh !" said he, "Who be 20"
"We'rc John and Catherine" said
the girl. "We couldn't make any one
hear. Please, ARE you our Grandpa
Black 7"
! The old man peercd up the road.
| Stage gone p said he.
Eyes, sir" Kitty answered, shivering
oval, il stops at the tavern an hour
to change bosses aud give the passenger
their supper. You go arter tits ONLY
half mile--and tell the driver to TAXI
you back on the night trip to where yor
come from"
.'Ain't we to stay here?'' hesitatet
Kitty.
'No," said Decimus, "you amt. W.
don't want no children here. Come
start on-it'll be dark pretty soon"
And by way Of terminating matter
he shut the door in their faces and wen
back into the house, with grim chucklo
Its good thing Betsy wasn't here,
said be to himself. "Shc'd a-been dea'
sure to hev made fuss. Women hahn
no judgment nor discretion
HALF dozen rods down the roa
Regina Whelpley, the village school
mistress, came upon two forms crouch
ing among the dead leaves in the angl
of the old stone wall
"Mercy upon us" said she, with
little start "Who is this 2"
And with tears and tribulation III
children told their story.
Regina was tall, straight girl, wit
eyes as black as Goals, a rosy color, an
true womanly heart.
ats a shame I" said she Two lit
helpless creatures like you But even
one knows that when Decimus Blac
makes up his mind there amt no softel
ing him. Hush there he goes now
She drew the children back into Il
shadow as the old man trudged past, h
visor Of his fur cap pulled over bis eye
his hands thrust down deem into