Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-08-30

w Ilttl IOIl, cNtL puoS tllu lul VI ChSlSSy
began to complain of racking pains in
his head and loss of memory. Often in
the midst of an argument the thread Of
his speech slipped from his mind and
cost a great mental struggle to be re-
sumed.
He fought the symptoms bravely, but
Daisy was full of terror at the change in
him. He grew haggard and restless, op-
pressed with vague fears of loss of rea-
son and really suffering great physical
pain.
AT last, much against his will, he al
lowed Daisy to call in the family physi-
clan, Whose only advice was simple, but
strongly urged, consisting of only two
words, perfect rest.
"The brain is overworked," he ex-
claimed, land no medicine will avail
while he persists in study and practice.
Get him away if you can. Hm-this is
Maya good time for a country trip.
Take him to the country, Mrs. Hill"
Wharton rebelled. 1t was ruin to
his office, where cases of Importance
were in his hands. He must work or
they might all starve. He would de-
cline some of the practice offered him;
would take little trips during the sum-
mer; would, in short, temporize.
And then Daisy-little brown eyed
Daisy-whose voice was as soft as flute,
who was scarcely larger than a we'll
grown child of 12, put her foot down!
Such mite of foot! 1t was absurd to
imagine that it had any weight in the
worlds machinery; but 1t was down, and
Daisy kept it there. Tom was a lawyer,
and Tom could take Wharton's cases for
the summer months. There was her
| farm-a poor place, to be sure, but at
| least a house, and with some furniture
in it, and surrounded by beautiful seem
cry, possessing purest air and water.
With 5000 year they would not starve,
and there was a nest egg in the bank in
case of an emergency.
| Wharton pshawed! Wharton fumed
All in vain. Resolute little Daisy packed
trunks, arranged the household, engaged
a half grown girl to accompany them as
child's nurse, and enlisted the entire
Trueman family on her side.
And Wharton, finding those queer
| feelings in his head increasing, the dizzy
spells becoming more frequent, finally
submitted to fate, in the person of Daisy,
explained the Tarious points at issue to
! Tom Trueman, and, accompanied by
wife, child. and nurse, took up his
jouu ncy to Corn's Mill. 1t was early
morning when rickety old wagon con-
tainin the partya and baggage entered an
enclosure that had once been fence,
and the family took possession of Daisy's
farm.
The prospect was not encouraging.
The house had not improved in years of
emptiness and neglect, and even Daisy's
brave heart sank as she looked at the
broken roof, the tumble down doors, and
sllaky windows. But she only said,
covering her d;smay with cheerful
smile:
I'VE are here, ard we must make the
best of it!
| Jennie, the nurse, proved treasure,
and the women were soon busy putting
things to rights, While Wharton took
Tom on an exploring expedition over the
estate.
There was queer look in his eyes
when he came back just in time for dim
ner, but he simply remarked:
II can't quite trust my own head yet,
Daisy; but isn't there postotfice at
Corn's Mill?"
"Yes; the mail goes out twice a week.
"Give me sheet of paper and an en-
velope, like dear.
"Now, Wharton, that is not resting"
"1ll only write a dozen lines, DEAR"
The dozen lines being written and
posted Wharton seemed to find an un-
failing source of amusement rowing
about the farm, poling holes in the
ground with a short cane, often kneel-
ing down to examine the earth SO turned
over Daisy hinted at planting some
vegetables, although she added, de-
spondently:
81 don't suppose they will grow if we
do.
Never mind the pease and beans now,
love; wait until we have an answer to
my letter, replied her husband.
A week later, when June was young,
the answer came in the person of two
men-one white haired and absent
minded, the other young and emphat-
ically business like. Wharton gave them
cordial welcome, and after partaking of
substantial luncheon the three men
started out for walk over the farm.
Little Daisy, intensely happy in the
knowledge that Wharton had not
had o@e dizzy turn since their ar
rival on the farm, that he had the ap-
petite of ploughboy, and was cheerful
and full of animation, WAS busy baking
batch of pies when the three gentle
men returned to the house. She could
see them from the kitchen window as
they came along the neglected path, and
she noticed that Wharton's eyes were
full of exultation, his face flushed, his
carriage erect. lie looked as if he had
heard good tidings, and all three were
talking earnestly and eagerly.
Daisy wondered a little, and scorched
one of her pies While she was carefully
pairing the burne edge of crust the
kitchen door opened, and Wharton, heed
less of her big apron and bare arms, usll-
ered in the strangers.
Mrs. Hill, accept my congratulations
upon your good fortune, he said, bow
ing with great Difference.
in scorchinS my pies? laughed Daisy.
"In ow"ing ID acres of coal land.
81 don't understand, faltered Daisy.
"Th.s farm, my dear, your legacy from
your I'D nurse, is one solid bed of coal,
and t,cre is no mine within nine miles
or It. No ody knows how much lies be-
V, nd yuilr irces i'll the vacant land