The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-08-15

children one by one, then her husband,
and died.
The club paid the expenses OF the
funeral.
A year had gone by. The rose-bushes
ran riot all over the quaint lit
tie cottage again, as did the children
through its old-fashioned rooms and
over it's blooming grounds.
Then came strange, startling news to
the club, and Miss Beck was the OBJ
served of all observers at its next meet
ing.
'How could you,' and 80 Miss Beck"
sounded on all sides.
ITO think you could commit such a
sinful piece of folly!' and Miss Pearl
bent upon the culprit her soft, reproach-
full eyes, when none of us, not even T.
have ever thought of it! and you the
Oldest member, tool"
Miss Beck looked timidly around. A
ripple of light shone in the gray eyes,
q touch of scarlet made the cheeks girl
ish; every curve and line in her face
was glorified.
hCll, SIG Sdlu dJ ldSt, ISAlC
what could do? He just asked me,
and said yes, from sheer pity. 1t
won't hurt the club at all. If 1t breaks
up, can't helpit. l think l am only
doing my duty. To see that poor mans
patience with that stack of children!
1t was enough to make a stone change
her mind, and I'm not stone. I'm
going to marry him for the sake of t1a
children, and / told him so. Those
children just fill my heart. AS long as
l can look out for them and him, why,
might as we'll. To be sure, I'm only
bundle of aches and nerves, but |
haven't got consumption that know
of, though may have liver complaint.
I've put away a little money, and l
guess l can make it go good way. He,
poor soul, was getting discouraged.
Think of his having come to the con-
clusion to send the oldest girls out to
work! Who would have taken care of
the babies? ! stormed when | heard of
it. Every one of those poor lambs
was crying at the thought of being sep
arated.''
Man, said, if you send those grow
ing girls out into the world, no one to
care for them, and some awful thing
should happen. you never would forgive
yourself. couldn't part with one OF
them, if they were mine and then sat
down and cried"
81 wish you would care for them,
then he said, in a sort of despairing
way, and me, too
"Well, don't know to this minute
what answer l made just then, and
s'pose l never shall to my dying day,
but the children are going to stay at
home, and I'm going to care for them"
There was a long silence after that
The members of the club were all bless
ing Miss Beck in their hearts. Miss
West thought of the picture she was
just finishing, which she called "a
Mothers Love" Surely that mother
must be glad" She said co herself.
There were tears in every eye.
well done, Miss Beck said DR..
HUMPHREYS. II don't believe there is
one member of the club but thinks you
have done nobly."
Then they kissed her, one by one, and
wished her joy.
The wedding was very quiet one.
Flowers and vines were conspicuous in
the adornment of the cottage, inside and
out The members of the club made
marriage bell out of white roses.
1t was clear, beautiful day, and at
ten o'clock all the eight children,
dressed in white, were waiting in the long
livlng-room for the new mother, already
tenderly loved by them. Only a few
and the club witnessed the
ceremony.
1t seemed to be lucky marriage.
Everything prospered," as Squire
Bonner's wife said.
docs seem as if every cent just
doubled that woman touches, she said
to ncighbor, five years afterward. Her
sister died an left three children. Mss
Beck took em, and now there's 'leven
of 'em. There they are, all we'll dressed
and we'll hammered. She wouldn't have
any help from nobody. And all them
love her so! declare it's good
as sermon to see 'em together. Shes
teaching every one of 'em to do some
thing that'll earn 'em money in the fut-
ure. if need be. She'd built two more
rooms, and they run the best dairy in
town. Seen that now wagon of hers?
She didn't seem to think she's worked
very hard, neither, but she has, sence
she buried poor Glen, three years ago.
You never hear her talking no more
bout being weary of life, "a faint
worth livin',' as she used to. raly be-
lieve she can't afford time to be sick,
bless the creeter. AS to that Oldest girl,
Hetty. she's the pick of the whole
Amt young man in
town wouldn't be glad to get her."
Only one more little picture, and !
put my pen aside.
1t is nearing sunset. The little road
side cottage is as bright as love and care
can make it. Miss Beck is knitting in
high-backed rocking-chair. Her eyes
are fixed contemplatively upon the flick
ering yellow flame in the wide fire. place,
for it is late autumn now, and the fruit
has all been gathered in.
At table not far off sits Hetty, par
ing apples for the annual drying Stand
ing on the hearth is tall. handsome
young fellow, who, while he talks to
Miss Beck, steals glance now and then
at the beautiful face near the window