The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-07-03
A FROZEN HEART.
And How 1t Was Efectually
Thawed Out at Last.

-
fbere's the end of it."
Mr.. Black stood on the red-brick
hearth in front of the big wood-fire, in
an attitude of the intensest animosity,
an open letter in his hand, frown
darkening his rugged face.
Mrs. Black paused in her occupation
of stocking -mending-a panied express
sion passed over her toil-worn Inca
ments.
.sBut 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 Hilps Hollow"
"Well, can't help that" retorted the
old man, setting his yellow teeth to-
gether. ''Do the HilFs Hollow folks
think / keep free tavern? 1 don't
like children. / never did. When
John James married and had family
he didn't consult me-and I amt goin'
to support 'em I want that clearly
understood. At my age can't have
children racketing about the house. I
brought up John James and Esther
Anne-and that's all can be expected of
meI
Mrs. Blacks countenance fell In her
secret mind she had all the morning
been planning what room John James
orphans should have, how she would un-
pack sundry broken toys that she kept
ina chest in the garret-sole roles of
the only child she ever had had-for
their behoof, and what CLEAN of sun
shine their presence would bring into
the silent dreary house. They were no
kith nor kin of her, being the grand
children of Decimus' first wife, yet her
heart warmed to them with longing
tenderness.
at seems most pity" said she, ''not
to-"
I'VE won't argey the question no
furder," said Black, sharply; Il amt
goin to hev 'em here-and that's the
long and the short of it..
'But father, they're on the way here
Already
''Then they'll hev to be on the way
back, that's all, afore they're twenty
four hours older"
And Decimus Black went out. Five
minutes later the ring of his axe at the
wood-pile, sharp and sudden, gave the
key note to his mood of stern resolve.
''Is this the house, Kitty?" said little
Johnny Black, as the stages driver
helped him out Of the creaking old We
hicle. docs grandpa live here? Oh,
dear, do hope there's a good fire, be-
cause I'm so frozen coldp'
The elder sister, mite of ten, stood
on tiptoe to sound the knocker, while
little Johnny clung to her, with one
hand on the tattered carpet-sack that
contained their earthly stores.
Amt there no one there?" faltered
he.
4 don't know" said Kitty. "rll
knock again -
Still no answer came. Mrs. Black was
out feeding her chickens in the barn
yard, and old Decimus was performing
MS nightly task of milking, in the safe
shelter of the constable. AS it hap
pened, he was the first to re-enter the
house and confront the little creatures,
who were still patiently waiting on the
doorstep.
"EhF' said he. ''Who be you?''
We're John and Catherine" said the
girl. ''We couldn't make any one hear.
Please, are you our Grandpa Black?"
The old man peered up the road.
Stage gone?" said he.
Yes, SIR" Kitty answered, shivering.
Wal, it stops at the tavern an hour
tochange hosses and give the passen-
gers their supper. You GO arter tits
only half mile-and tell the driver tc
take you back on the night trip to where
you come from"
"Ain't We to stay here?" hesitated
Kitty.
No" said Decimus, 'you amt. We
don't want no children here. Come,
start on-it'll be dark pretty soon"
And by way of terminating matters he
smut the door in their faces and went
PACK into the house, with a grim
ehuckle.
It's good thing Betsy wasn't here" F"
saia ne to himself. ''She'd a-been dead
sure to hev made fuss. Women hain't
Ao judgment nor discretion"
half dozen rods down the road Regi-
. "helpley, the village schoolmistress,
eame upon two forms crouching among
'ae dead leaves in the angle of the old
stone wall.
Mercy upon usp' said she, with lit
ae start "Who is this?"
and with tears and tribulation the
0alld told their story.
Regina was a tall, straight girl, with
YES as black as Goals, rosy color, and
Iae, womanly heart.
It's a Shame!" said she. 1.-TWO lit
ae helpless creatures like you! But
p Every one knows that when Decimus
DI@eA makes up his mind there amt
now.s 'i0i0 no soeS
ole drew the children back into the
saaaoW as the old man trudged mast
sus visor of his fur cap pulled over his
49, ms hands thrust down deep into
pockets. All three drew a LONG
Ssa : oi relief when he was gone.
=, LOOK here said kind Regina. .sPd
In I-Ae you in myself if had home: but
I've ave none. I'm only a country school
asnef' boarding around. One thing is