The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21

always said that when folks had home
they ought to stay i'll it. That was why he
was SO set agin Hiram, cause he wanted
Lisbeth to 60 to sea with him; so there was
while he was alive. Then after he
died l couldn't go and leave mother
all alone: and when we laid her away at fa-
theirs side, what with all the doctors bills
and one thing another | hadn't money
enough to do anything but live alone here
and be thankful that had a roof over my
head. Now, that legacy Uncle Silas left me
just gives me the chance I've been longin'
for since was girl, and Pm goin'. I'm
sick of the sight of these everlastin' hills,
shuttin' me in here rs if they was prison
walls. After I've seen Lisbeth's children
I'm going out west to visit Cousin Ben's
folks. l amt comm home for a year.
MAYBE you're right about the hills bein'
| prison walls, though l never looked upon
| 'em that way" said Mrs. Ditson. as Miss
sakes. when woman has got as many
children us l have she don't think about
| prison walls nor nothin' except to start the
young ones off in time for school, an have
dinner ready for 'em when they come home.
But Liddy, what you goin' to do with the
COW and all them turkeys? was sayin'
only yesterday that you'd have fine eatin'
for tho holidays. The queen of England
couldn't have no better.
''They are the fattes. turkeys l ever see,
| i VI
'em," said Miss Liddy. with an air of salts
fed pride: but can sell 'em. and the COW
too. The butcher down to the Corners said
only the other day that she'd be a fine COW
to fat for beef. He'd take her any minute.
And guess there's roast turkey to be had
at Christmas-ti anywhere"
What are you going to do with Prince?''
asked Mrs. Ditson.
The Maltese cat, who had followed his
| mistress in doors, and was now curled up ir
her lap, raised his head and purred on hear
, ing his name.
, THAT'S the only trouble" said Miss Lid
, dy, her thin old face flushing, as she gentl,
, | stroked her pet. He must have his sauce
! OF warm milk and his basket to sleep in
. and he'd grleve himself to death if h
/ wasn't petted and talked to. He's just like
a child to me. and sometimes feel as if L,
r ought to stay and take care of him; but j
ii would be flying i'll the face of providenc
3 to give up such chance OF seeing tn
J world as I've got now"
! Il never hankered to GO travelin'," sal
70 Mrs, Ditson. 81 was away week once, tn
70 time sister Susan was married, and ] wer
a. to the weddin' and was never so thankfl
: in my life as when got home. The nois
as and joggle of the cars gave me an awf'
SIS headache, and | was most choked to dea,
I'd with the cinders, and clean beat out sltti
n bolted upright hours and hours, with noti
in decent to eat or drink"
as ''You can sit in an easy chair now, al
:" have hot tea and some dinner brought al
put on little table right in front of "
al while the cars are goin'. read a piece
SO the paper where it told all about it," sa
ut, Miss Liddy. And they have beds. to
made up with sheets and blankets. Just
Ill if you was home. When You wake up
ow the mornin' you're miles away from t
,ot place you went to sleep in. Now. thai
an Just what I'm longin' for. I've gone
eat sleep and walked up years with that sa,
ks old elm tree standin' right before the wi
vas der, and Pm sick of it. !"
ave I'm afraid You'll get sicker of alwa
lks wakin' up in a new spot" said conseIvatl
Mrs. Ditson. You remember Ann Nor
d!' son, she that married that young city cha
Q He was what they call a drummer, and
ow! did nothin' from one years end to the otl
but but travel mp and down. She was alws
d grunblin'. just as you be, cause she had
but stick home and couldn't ses the world as
hen did; SO once he got out of patience and &c
,ere her alonG-said she should have all the tr
ntil elm she wanted, and ! guess she got
he When he brought her home she come