Telegram-herald., 1890-07-10
TWO TEN-D0LLAR BILLS.
The Turning Point in tho Fortunes
Of the MerwinS

lJs no use, Ea1sie, N Cloah u4s-
couraged-" Margaret Merwtn looked
anxiously as her husband as he sat on
the piazza his elbows on his knees and
his face In his hands, She knew there
was some new trouble. and she hardly
dared ask what 10 was-
These two had married eight years
before. poor In worldly goods but rich
in courage, health and love. IL had
seemed an easy task then TO pro-
vide for their family and pay for farm;
now tho courage was almost gone, the
health wa going. Margaret feared, and
A. vas all they conld DO 10 keep up the
Interest on the mortgage.
Dams invalid mother had lived with
them three years. and doctors bills
count up fast. After her death they
took Baby Molly and moved out 10 the
erich West" but rust one year. mildew
The next, and insects third, destroyed
tho cop on which they depended, and
the end Of five years found them no
better of than When they came there
Molly had grown TO a healthy little
yirl OF six, and her cradle was filed by
baby jamie. a happy. contented Little
chap, With his mothers blue eyes. soft
rings oi yellow hair around his face and
mouth forever dimpling .nto a laugh
Margaret had borne tho discourage
rnent best Her CHEEKY, trustful nature
carried her through hard places where
her husband grow desperate or gave up
in despair. Dan sat still on the piazza,
staring mOodily from under his hat-brim
nsa pair OF yellow butterflies circling
and turning in tho sunshine before him.
At last he rose, and with his clenched
hand pressed hard against tho piazza
post, said. IN q dry. expreSsionless tone:
"WOrthing won't lot that run any lon
ger. lie says ho must have the money
iaside tho month" and, turning, he left
the yard. Margaret sank down on
chair with little groan. How was that
Crocer's bin OF 1fteen dollars ever TO be
paid? Down the road, some rods beyond
tho house. was an apple orchard, now
fragrant with pink and white blossoms.
Prom one OF the largest trees Dan had
hung a swing. and here Molly was 70 be
found She was \ handsome little
creature, with big black eyes and a
wealth Of dark heir-the very picture of
her father, people said
But II she had her fathers face she
I'd not have his temperament; a moro
saany. wholesome. contented nature it
would bo hari % Gnd.
she was already a great help 70 her
mother and could rouse her father from
lhs moody detection when all else
failed The nci-hhors lad no children.
bat she was never lonely. Children
live an innor hfo OF which grown
people aever dream, FOR they mover tell
the fancics. realities 20 them, which
entertain OF fri-htcn them, as the case
may be. WITH the latter kind Molly
had lttlo % do. as she swayed back
ward and forward. her bare, brown
little feet Just brushing the tops OF the
grass. cs happy as the birds and bees
and blossoms tbSt wore her companions
"Can you got ne drink OF water,
sls7"
Molly looked rp. man was leaning
on tho fence among the green apple
bourhs. He was an OLD man, short and
shick-ses with a bushy shock Of iron
cray hair and sharp. restless eyes Tie
MUEt VIZ -AtAAf At@aATf "tt'+ - We -
fcls hat--altoee ths- a strange figure co
ebpear thus suddenly in the midst OF
the spring freshness
But Molly was not frightened She
looked up az hiu1 alth 8 smile snd an
swered his question with a ready 'Oh.
yes. sirlT St0pp az she swing with a
littlo run. she jumped down and started
coward the hou@e. 5lt turned end said.
Perhaps you' q rather have MILK
tWeli. ( believe / would was the
answer.
Nliiy crept through The fence ard
Joined tbe cid nan in the road You Il
have % 70 up to thc house" she said,
'aBd mamma viii gss you some
Bus when they reached the house
there vas no one there bat baby jamie.
asleep la his cra6lo.
Never mind, sai3 Molly, 7 can get
the 1fik.~
Tue old man sat down. looking al
about the tidy kitchen With his sharp
restless eros vhsn Molly brought Tho
milk he drank e slowly, seeming - Be
n no hurry. aud still looking about
him
"Whass Your naneT' hs asked s5-
rurtir