The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-07-05
A FROZEN HEART.
And How It Was Effectually
Thawed Out at Last.

there'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.
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. do the Hill's Hollow folks
think / keep free tavern? l don't
like children / never did. When
John James married and had family
he didn't consult me-and / amt goin'
to support 'em! / want that clearly
understood. At my age I can't have
children racketing about the house. I
brought up John James and Esther
Anne-and that's all can be expected OF
mer
Mrs. Blacks countenance fell. In her
secret mind sho had all the morning
been planning what room John James
orphans should have, how she would I'M
pack sundry broken toys that she kept
in chest in tho garret-sole relics 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.
''lt seems most pity" said she. mot
to-"
I'VE won't argcy tho question no
furder," said Black, sharply; 81 amt
goin' to hev 'em here-and that's the
long and tho short of it."
But father, they're on the way here
already
"Then they'll hev to DO 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 axo at the
wood-pile. sharp and sudden, gave the
key note to his mood OF stern resolve.
rs this the house, Kitty" said little
Johnny Black, as the stage-driver
holped him out Of the creaking old We
hicle. docs grandpa 1.-Two here? Oh,
dear, do hope there's good fire, be-
cause I'm so frozen coldi"
The elder sister. mite of ten, stood
on tiptoe to sound tho knocker, while
little Johnny chung to her, with one
hand on tho tattered carpet-sack that
contained thcir earthly stores.
"Ain't there no one there?" faltered
he.
II don't know" said Kitty. 'T'n
knock again"
Still no answer came. Mrs. Black was
out feeding her chickens in the barn
yard, and old Decimus was performing
his nightly task of milking. in tho safe
shelter of the constable. As it hap
pened, he was the first to re-cnter the
house and confront tho little creatures,
who were still patiently waiting on the
doorstep.
"Eh!' said he. ''Who be you?'
"We're John and Catherine" said the
girl. I'VE couldn't make any one hear.
Please, arc you our Grandpa Black?"
The old man peered up the road.
''Stage gonc?' said he.
Eyes. sir" Kitty answered. shivering.
oval, 1t stops at the tavern an hour
to change bosses and give tho passeYi-
gers their supper. You 60 arter tits
only half milc--and tell the driver to
take you back on tho night trip to where
you come FROM"
'Ain't we to stay hcre?" hesitated
Kitty.
mo" 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
shut the door in their faces and went
back into the house, with o grim
'Tt's good thing Be tsy wasn't here"
said he to himself. ''She'd a-been dead
sure to hev made o fuss. Women hain't
no Judgment nor discretion"
Half dozen rods down the road Regi-
na Whelpley, the village schoolmistress,
came upon two forms crouching among
the dead leaves in the angie Of tho old
stone wall
Mercy upon us!" said she, with lit
tie start ''Who Is this?"
And with tears and tribulation the
child told their story.
Regina was tall, straight girl, with
eyes as black as Goals, rosy color, and
, true. womanly heart
tits shame!" said she. 1.-TWO lit
tie helpless creatures like you! But
every one knows that when Decimus
Black makes up his mind there amt
no softening him. Hush! there he goes
now"
She drew the children back into the
shadow as the old man trudged past,
tho visor Of his fur cap pulled over his
eyes, his hands thrust down deep into
his pockets All three drew q long