The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-05-03
A FROZEN HEART.
And How It Was Effectually
Thawed Out at Last.

Coming here! I won't have 'em-and
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 tho intensest animosity,
an open letter in his hand, frown
darkening his rugged face.
Mrs. Black paused in her occupation
of stocking-mending- panied express
sion passed over her toil-worn Inca
ments.
But they arc 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 Hilrs Hollow"
well, can't help that" retorted the
old man, setting his yellow teeth to-
gether. "Do the Hills Hollow folks
think l keep free tavern? l don't
like children. 1 never did. When
John James married and had family
he didn't consult me-and l amt goin'
to support 'em! 1 want that clearly
understood. At my age l can't have
children racketing about the house. I
brought up John James and Esther
Anne-and that's all can be expected of
mel"
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 I'M
pack sundry broken toys that she kept
in chest in the garret-solo relics of
tho only child she ever had had-for
their bohoof, and what CLEAN Of sun
shine their presence would bring into
the silent dreary house. They were no
kith nor kin of her, being tho grand
children of Decimus' first wife, yet her
heart warmed to them with longing
tenderness.
sit seems most pity" said she, mot
to"
Two won't argey the question no
furder,' said Black, sharply; Il amt
goin to hcv EN- here-and that's tho
long and tho short of it."
But father they're on tho way hero
alrc2dy!'
Then they'll hev to be on the way
back, that's all, aforo they're twenty
four hours Older"
And Dccimus Black went out. Five
minutes later tho ring of his axe at tho
wood-pilc, sharp and sudden, gave tho
key note to his mood of stern resolve.
is this the house, Kitty?" said littlo
Johnny Black, as the stage-driver
helped him out of tho creaking old vo-
hicle. Does grandpa 1.-Two here? Oh,
dear, do hopo there's good fire, be-
cause I'm SO frozen cold!"
Tho elder sister, mite of ten, stood
on tiptoo to sound the knocker, while
little Johnny chung to her, with ono
hand on the battered carpet-sacll that
contained their earthly stores.
''Ain't there no ono there?" faltered
he.
II don't know" said Kitty. ell
knock again"
Still no answer came. Mrs. Black was
out feeding her chickens in tho barn
yard, and old Docimus was performing
his nightly task of milking, in the safe
shelter of tho constable. AS it hap
pened, no WIS the first to re-enter the
house and confront tho littlo creatures,
who worc still patiently waiting on the
doorstep.
Eth" said he. ''Who be you?"
'iWe'ro John and Catherine" said tho
girl. ''Wo couldn't mako any ono hear.
Please, are you our Grandpa Black?''
The old man peered up the road.
''Stago gomez" said he.
eyes, sir" Kitty answered, shivering.
oval, it stops at tho tavern an hour
to change bosses and give tho passen-
gers their supper. You go arter tits
only half a milc--and tell tho driver to
talSo you back on tho 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 hcrc. Come,
start on-it'll be dark pretty SOON"
And by way of terminating matters no
shut the door in their faces and went
back into the house, with grim
chuckle.
ITS good thing Be tsy wasn't here"
said he to himself. "She'd a-been dead
sure to hev made fuss. Women hain't
no Judgment nor discretion"
Half dozen rods down the road Pegi-
ma Whclploy, the village schoolmistress,
came upon two forms crouching among
the dead leaves in the anglo Of the 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.
cts q shamo!" said she. 1.-TWO lit
tic hclplcss creatures like you But
every one knows that when Docimus
Black makes up his mind there amt
no softcning him. Hush! there he goes
now"
Sho drew the children back into the
shadow as tho old man trudged past,
the visor Of his fur cap pulled over his
eyes, his hands thrust down deop into
his pockets All three drew a long
breath Of relief when he was gone.
Look here said kind Regina, 'I'd
tallo you in myself if had homo; but
l have none. I'm only country school
teacher, boarding around, Ono thing is
very certain, though-you can't go any
farther tonight. I'm boarding my week
with your Grandma Black now. | know
rbcJl lnf mo tnl Won int roo,~,