St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-22
A Terrific Battle of Twenty
Years Against a Grind
ing Mortgage.
Widow, Son and Daughter
Join Hands to Discharge
a Fathers Obligation.
Seeking the Pleasures Of
Welded Life Breaks a
Family Tie.
Not Till the Second Genera
ton Is the Shadow Of the
Debt Removed.

George /. Putnam in Il arper's Week
ly: When Ashbel Dean died and his
earthly debts and credits were looked
into it was discovered that the credit
page was nearly as spotless as the sheet
that had covered AshbsFs still form.
While mortgages for the full value OF
the farm we're recorded on the other
de. Ashbel had been considered fore
handed. His neighbors said he ''specu-
lated West" and were astonished when
his death revealed the fact that he had
sacrificed all in an endeavor to save
some shred in his financial reputation
None were more surprised than his
own family. This included the widow,
ANA nda and Israel, twins, twenty
years old. They were crushed. They
shrank from it as from the presence of
death-the first one-in the family. For
days they dared not speak of it, but it
was always in their thoughts. At last
the widow reused her energies and sum-
moned her children.
I'VE can save the farm" she said.
"Manda, you can keep the district
school; Israel and l will carry on the
farm. We must all stand together"
For twenty years they were possessed
of that one thought. urged by that one
motive-to pay the debt.
They stood together twenty years,
and at the end of that time they owed
no man anything.
The mother looked scarcely a day
older. The work of directing had Kept
her faculties active and vigorous. But
son and daughter had passed from an
ticipative youth into dulled middle age.
The debt, INSCRIPTIONS and avariciOus,
had left than QninUmpnf It had
robbed them of life'S most desirable
part.
When Amanda was twenty she was
called pretty. Gatherings had been in
complete without her. After that she
never attended another. The attentions
of young men, which came unsolicited,
were refused Now she had become
thin and sallow, She knew she could
hope for no return of loves pleasures.
If thought of marriage crowded itself
upon her. she shook it OFF as unwelcOme.
She could give up her school now and
devote her time to home, to her mother
and her brother.
And Israel was free. He took long
breath and stood up straight, easing his
CALLED shoulders Of the burden he had
just cast off. Life looked pleasant sud-
denly. He would make some needed
improvements on the place. The house
should have a coat of paint. He stood
in the sunshine, and, looking up through
the June foliage of the naples, thought
the seed pods looked like the legs of so
many elin painters dangling there
painting the sky. Then he laughed at
himself and said he must be getting
young and risky.
When he was twenty he had thought
to be married. Now at forty he thought
of it again. When he stopped his visits
to Harriet Downer she understood why.
She had had 10 company" he told
himself, since then, and his heart gave
a great bound at the thought. Why
should he not?
One day he came to his mother and
sister and said bluntly. II am going to
be married to Harriet DOwner."
There was silence for long moment:
then his mother said coldly: I'VE
know it."
By the tone and attitude, Isreal I'M
derst0od that his mother and sister
would not welcome the woman he meant
to marry. He understood that they
thought the tie OF constant effort of the
lock, and did not wish it broken.
But once after that isreal spoke of
his marriage: Il am to marry Harriet
tomorrow. Shall you be there?"
And his mother answered, NO"
But Israel would keep his VOW to Har-
riet. The twenty years. struggle had
cultivated in him the logged resolution
inherited from his mother.
He married Harriet and after week
brought her home. No one appeared to
greet them.
Mother" he called as he went
through the house. In two remote
rooms he found his mother and sister.
Harriet is out there" he said.
"And we are here; we shall stay
here" said his mother.
Israel looked about dazed. He re-
membered afterwards that he saw
stove, with pots and pans and dishes.
and in the other room bed, table, and
chairs. The two women had made all
preparations for living by themselves.
And this was the brides home-com-
ing.
Yet the married two lived a happy
life together. Israel felt keenly the
mental misery his wife must endure.
and strOve to alleviate it by every
kindly attention in his power. and she
understood his motive and re5Olutely
hid all traces of pain. Life for each
was as the other made it.
There was no communication be-
lhOCu lAlN WV PoAl 10 VI liIO i4OUcOs anu
no messages passed, no visits were eX-
changed.
Thus for two years, when baby was
born. Then one day Harriet said to
Israel: "Take the baby and go to your
mother" He understood, and taking
the child in his arms, went and knocked
at the door.
"Who is it?'' said his mothers voice.
"Your son and grandson" he replied.
There was slight noise and pause
within. Then Amanda said: I'VE are
too busy to see you"
He returned and laid the baby by his
wife. She did not need to question him
by word or eye.
Two years more went by. One morn
ing Israel called his wife to come down
into the garden. He had some vegetable
wonder to show her.
But can't take the baby out in the
dew" she objected.
Leave him where he is. He'll do no
harm for five minutes"
Then toddle, tOddle away-the little
feet knew the path that was forbidden
them-straight on through the unused
passageway to the door at the end. He
pushed and shuffled babily against it.
Whats that queer noise at the door,
Manda?"
sCOulOS lihS q uOs1 Sdiu Amduud.
But when the door opened in tottered
a baby, triumphant, happy, eager.
Every line of his baby face, every curl,
had been craven IN the widows heart for
forty years, and it suddenly opened to
show her the likeness.
Its Israel over again." she cried
And in moment she was on the floor
caressing, kissing the little one.
Bhghted Amanda leaned on her broom |
bewildered, looking at this strange hap |
pening. And Israel and Harriet. hasten
ing after the child. stood in the door
way witnessing the first step in recon-
ciliation.
"Come to mamma. Israel" said Har- !
riet TO the child. He looked at her,
laughing, over his grandmother shout |
der.
"Tum to mamma" he repeated, tax
ing step and pulling at her finger.
i I