Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-01-19
DecimuS Blacks Grand
children.


'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 the intensest animos
ity, an open letter in his hand, 8
frown darkening his rugged face.
Mrs. Black paused in her occupa.
ton of stocking-mending-a panied
expression passed over her toil-worn
lineaments.
"But they are 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 Hills Hollow
"Well, 1 can't help that" retorted
the old man, setting his yellow teeth
together. ''Do the Hills Hollow
folks think l keep free tavern? |
don't like children. | never did.
When John James married and had
family he didn't consult me-and
amt goin' to support EN- l want
that clearly understood. At my age
| can't have children racketing about
the house. | brought up John James
and Esther Armand that's all can
be expected of me -
Mrs. Blacks countenance fell. In
her secret mind she had all the morn
ing been planning what room John
James orphans should have, how she
would unpack sundry broken toys
that she had kept in a chest in the
garret-sole relics of the only child
she ever had had-fOr their behoof,
and what a CLEAN of sunshine their
presence would bring into the silent,
dreary house. They were no kith nor
kin of her, being the grandchildren
of Decimus' first wife, yet her heart
warmed to them with longing tender
ness.
1T seems most pity said she,
"not to"
1--WE won't argey the question no
furder,' said Black, sharply; 81
amt goin' to have 'em here and
that's the long and the short of it."
"But, father, they're on the way
here already p
"Then they'll hev to be on the
way back, that's all, afore they're
twenry- four hours older"
And Decimus Black went out.
Five minutes later the ring of his axe
at the woodpile, sharp and sudden,
gave the keynote to his mood of stern
resolve.
SIS this the house, Kitty" said
little Johnny Black, as the stage
driver helped him out of the creaking
vehicle. ''Does grandpa live here?
Oh, dear, l do hope there's a good
fire because I'm so frozen cold !"
The elder sister, mite of ten,
stood on tiptoe to sound the knocker,
while little Johnny chung to her, with
one hand on the tattered carpet-sack
that contained their earthly stores.
'.Ain't there no one there?" falter-
ed he.
81 don't know" said Kitty. "Fl
knock again
Still no answer came. Mrs. Black
was out feeding her chickens in the
BARNARD, and old Decimus was per-
forming his nightly task of milking
in the safe shelter of the cow stable
AS it happened, he was the first to
reenter the house and confront the
little creatures, who were still patient
ly waiting on the doorstep
''Eh !" said he. "Who be you?'
"We're John and Catherine said
the girl eve couldn't make any
one hear. Please, are you our Grand
pa Black? p
The old man peered up the road.
"Stage gomez" said he.
eyes, sir" Kitty answered, SILVER
ing.
"Wal, it stops at the tavern an
hour to change bosses and give the
passengers their supper. You go ar
ter tits only half mile-and tell
the driver to take you back on the
night trip to where you come from"
CANT we to stay here?" hesitated
Kitty.
"No." said Decimus, "you amt.
We don't want no children here.
Come, start on-it'll be dark pretty
soon."
And by way of terminating mat
tiers he shut the door in their faces
and went back into the house with
grim chuckle.
"It's a good thing Betsey wasn't
here,' said he to himself. She'd a.
been dead sure to hev made fuss.
Women hahn no Judgment nor dis
cretion."
Half a dozen rods down the road
Regina Whelpley, the village school
mistress came upon two forms crouch
ing among the dead leaves in the an
gle of the old stone wall.
"Mercy upon us!'' said she, with
little start. 'sWho is this %
And with tears and tribulation the
children told their story.
Regina was a tall. straight girl,
with eyes as black as Goals, rosy
color, and true, womanly heart.
otis shame - said she. 1.-TWO
little helpless creatures like you But
every one knows that when Decimus
Black makes up his mind there amt
no softening him. Hush there he