The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-10-22

ARMSTRONG
The doctor went away without cere-
mony, and Hannah picked up tho dollar
bill he had left under the ironing stand
There's good folks In the world" she
said to herself; folks that makes rs be-
lieve in Gods heaven, in love and jus
tice and mercy, when the world Is all
stony and our feet are bleedin' along the
rough ground Bless that fat old doc
tor, he's got Q heart as big as an OF.
This bill will help toward half ton Of
coal to keep the old man warm" and
she tucked It into the family Bible on
the shelf, where many another from the
same source had before been hidden.
The morning was getting on, and Han
nah's work was not yet half done So
she turned again to her toll, bending her
spare form unth every muscle and sinew
was brought into play in the concentra-
ton Of what she had to do. She put
forth vital energy and was a terrible
worker" a. Miss Ruby Armstrong truly
called her. When the town clock struck
twelve the backbone Of her labor had
been broken. Happily Mr.. Rand's
luncheon In the middle Of the day con-
sisted Of Q simple bowl Of bread and
milk and did not demand even o cup Of
tea But Hannah brewed herself o cup,
and Of the strongest. She smoothed her
black hair back with both her hands as
she sat down by her ironing table to rest
and wiped the big beads Of perspiration
from her forehead.
A nature like Hannah's finds o danger.
Gus backstay In tea, and when she had
swallowed two cups she felt strong
again, like Samson when his hair had
grown. She made ready the tray for
her old man, as she called him, and
tapped lightly at the parlor door. The
summons came at once, and Hannah, as
she passed within, seemed to have en-
tered another sphere. Here in this
large, low ceiled room, with its simple
rustic furnishings dignihed by . case Of
rare old books, the still air Of congenial
studies seemed to brood The very day
light was different asit fell In through the
windows on the garden side. where in q
budding apple tree o robin was gurgling
out q few notes with the nipping wind
blowing awry the orange feathers on Its
breast.
In the streak Of sunshine that fell
across the faded ingram carpets and the
writing table covered with books and
papers sat the old man, tall and spare
and still unbent, though nailed to his
easy chair. A few spare white locks
escaped from under Q velvet skull cap
and were scattered over Q broad fore
head, with those projections over the
eyes that indicate acute perceptions and
long powers Of thought. The whole ex-
preston Of the face was sweet and tran.
quill, and the soft brown eyes were
peculiarly benignant. His linen was
spotlessly clean, but the dressing gown
in which be was enveloped was well
patched and darned, and the cloth slip
pers also showed signs Of Hannah's deft
mending. But be wore . gold watch
and chain, and bis handkerchief was
white and dainty. His beard and hair
were well trimmed, and though one hand
was practically helpless the nails were
attended to with scrupulouS care. Not
one Of the gentlemanlike habits Of his
better days had been neglected BE had
never been q slovenly bookworm, and
the habits Of order and personal purity
were deeply ingrained Even his writ
ing table and books showed the refined
neatness Of cultivated woman, and Q
pink hyacinth in it, glass added Q bit Of
color a. It stood there expanding In the
gleam Of sunshine. Hannah laid aside
newspapers and put the luncheon tray
before him with q certain air Of defer
ence, a. Il II were her pride and privilege
to serve the old man.
II never did see anything 90 cute a.
that there robin, said she, calling up .
smile 10 her brown face that made It at
tractive "It's that same sly old bird
that gets here 6rst every year before
any Of the otherscome along, and always
sings before your window. don't be-
Hsve there's another spring bird In town;
but your old friend has found you out
and is giving you q concert almost b.
fore the first dandelion has popped above
ground"
II give the fellow my dinner crumbs"