Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-11-27

made them spring from their chalrs. Bui
the early winter twilight had demanded
candles and the light betrayed them, Sc
friendly voice pronouncing respectfully,
'Miss Pilkins," brought Polly promptly
to admit Lawyer Satterlee, Judge Grover
and-yes it tOas the unknown man with
the terrifying shoulders, as Dolly de-
cided; something familiar about him
holding Drusilla's eyes in puzzled atten-
| ton.
''There amt no call to be frightened
little one-that is, mean to say, Miss
Pilkins," said the burly man, without
waiting TO be introduced. "When l
fust come to Bucket Town, I'll be dog
goned-a-I beg yer parding, Miss Pill
kins, it was my ole man tu an no dis
respect intended" At this point the
piteous bewlderment in the faces before
him seemed to penetrate the mind of the
speaker, .who made no remonstrance
when Judge Grover interrupted him
somewhat abruptly.
'Let me explain, Starkweather, and
you can correct any mistakes afterward.
1t is painful subject, dear ladies, and
one which we hoped never to open with
you; but since Mr.. Starkweather, from
the most sincere and manly motive, in
sists upon taking his rightful place as
your protector" Here the amaze
ment deepened as the sisters exchanged
looks of alarm, and Dolly furtively
pinched herself)
"Well to be brief, your father, when
seventeen years old, ran away from col
lege with his janitors daughter, whom
he married. Mutual discomfort separa-
ted them without publicity, and the
mother disappeared with her son, this
gentleman, thus preventing your fathers
educating him as he desired During
her last illness Mrs. Starkweather open
ed communication with your father, who,
finding his sons tastes were for farming,
gave him opportunity to follow them,
stipulating only that your mother, whom
he had meantime married, should never
know of this sons existence. In COM
pliance of which Mr.. Starkweather has
refrained from using the name which is
his"
''Now let me talk awhile, Jedge," in
terrupted the burly man restlessly; 81
never knowed but what the Guvnor'd
purvided fur you gals handsome, cos
he'd alays been squar' with me mot to
say he want with YOU; but t'other day
as | was in Boston, l hurd some men at
knew the Colonel, sayin' as how twas
meaner'n dirt for Pilkins' son to leave
his half brother to starve.
"Oh, MOI" interjected the sisters men
daciously.
Tibet set me tn thinkin' an inquirin'
about sum, an I've made up my mind
that the ole mani beg your parding,
Miss Pilkins, your father and mine-iest
left it for Abijah Stark weather Pilkins
to do what seemed to him far and squar. ;
Now, thet's the hull nut meat. An if
you'll come along O. me, Betsey an nell
make you as comfortable as comfortable
can be, an take pleasure in doin' Nv it,
an you shan't lift finger, cos l know
you's brung up that way. Or ef you'd
rather stay long O. folks you know I'll
Just put your sheer in bank OTIS yours
by rights, an you can do as you please
with it,
When the full generosity of the pro-
posal dawned upon the sisters, the home
ly face of the farmer seemed glorified by
its honest friendliness and simplicity of
motive. After careful discussion and
thought, somewhat to the relief of both
parties, the sisters decided to keep Betty's
cottage, which, with wood enough fol
two fires and full larder, with enough
and to spare for others, seemed luXu
rious home to their simple tastes. An6
when Mr.. Starkweather rose to go the,
timidly ventured upon the kindly famil
iarity decided in the next room) of us
ing his first name when they bade the
brother good bye. The tremulous "Good
bye, Brother Abijah, seemed to unlock
his great honest heart; and for the frs
time in their lives, robust, manly kiss
was planted squarely upon the lips of thu
Miss Pilkinses. And so with very pinE
| cheeks he left them.
"Oh, my!" said Dolly at last, "tha
was like-rice pudding"-hesitating fol
a simile-
"And raisins, Dolly; you always for
get the best part" And then it was
Drusilla's turn to blush, and both
laughed ight-heartedly over the unex-
pected ending of their Thanksgiving
THE Housewife.