Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-09-17
BBSSIDS CARDDR.

|
The evening church bells were ring
ing softly across the fields; the sun
seemed to polse itself on the edge of the
horizon, and slight figure tolling up
the steep road with heavy satchel in
one hand, was outlined against IL cloud
of crimson haze.
The station agent stared at it. Two
women, clvse by, shaded their eyes with
their hands, so as better to follow It's
course.
1T is her I said Mrs. Belts.
I knowed her, trlumphantly spoke
SaIlds Spooner, the minute | set eyes
on her !
Dressed in bran new chally,' said
Mrs. Belts.
And shawl that cost five dollars if
it cost cent = added Salida.
Bessie Blake always had it in her to
make IA spoon or spoil IL horn, observed
the station agent.
Sings in a city choir, doesn't she ?
SAID Mrs Belts And gives music les.
sons Well, some folks has all the
luck. My Louisa's voice is every bit as
good as hers, but nobody never went IN
to ecstasies over It,
The sun sank, leavinga fiery glow be-
hind sudden chill came over the
landscape.
Ms. Belts and Salila Spooncr re-
sumed their pilgrimage to the general
store, half mile further on, and Slas
Grti hs went to light the reflector lamp
in the station while Bessie Blake, with
a thrill Of happiness at her heart. open
ed the gate, half hidden by lilac bushes
and dropping syrlugas. that led to the
farmhouse door.
Mother is getting supper, she
Thought. 4 can smell the eggs frying.
And Polly Is saying her lessons to Kate.
and there's father reading the weekly
CLARION that always comes on Thurs
day ngnt. Oh, is this dream :: or am
real Y at home again :
a shaggy old dog asleep among the
sweet Williams and cinnamon roses,
reused himself with erufi' bark, at the
click Of the gate latch bat in another
second he p!nnged wildly down the
path, wagging his stump of q tail and
howllng rapturously, to meet her.
Oh, Bruno, yor have spoiled my sur.
prise SAID Bessie, laughing as the
whole family rushed out to greet her.
Yes, father, it, me, come home on a
visit. Don't squeeze NE SO Polly, dear
Oh, Jonny, how you have grown ! Moth.
ell
And here her sweet voice faltcred as
her head dropped on the care-worn
shoulders, and she felt warm tears OF
her checks.
Half an hour later they sat around
the fire which the chilly spring evening
still rendered Il necessity, all eyes rlvetcd
on Bessie. She had eaten auG drank
she had been kissed and embraced by
every member Of the family, she had
been shown the tame blackbirl, the new
Brahma chickens and The choice gerani.
um slip given to mother by the minis
ter's wife, and now she opened her lit
tie purse and held up its contents.
oh, sad she, I've been 50 saving
Just for this. A five dollar gold piece
each for father and you, mother, aud ii
dollar bill for each Of the children. |
was long time saving it, for you can t
think how it costs to live even in the
simplest way in New York.
Mr.. Blakc's hard visage soitened.
so you're doing pretty we'll, daugh
ter sald he. Il always prophesied
that that voice of yours wonld make the
family fortunes. Didn't /, now .
Is it qnartette, Il :ar, ora full choir:
SAID Mrs. Bake, her knitting falling to
her lap.
A faint color rose to Bessie brow
1T ism Choir at all, said she, rerv.
ousIy, strokins PoIly's tswny curls as
'the chlld's head lay on her knee. j
diln t tell you about 1t, mother, at the
time, for l thought you worry. Bat
now there isn't any reason you should
not know all about it,
'Eh 2 said Farmer Blake. About
what?'
When I got to New York, said Bes-
sic, speaking quickly, and twisting one
curl around and around her finger, the
place was filled up,-in the Bethesda
Choir, mean-by voice far, far more
cultivated than mine, though | don t
really believe it was any sweeter. And
| went to all the musical agencies, and
answered all the advertisements, but |
could get nothing to do, and my money
seemed to melt away like ice in the