The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1891-03-05

fool. He worked winters with better
will, for he wanted to earn more money,
having a purpose In his mind that he
told no one.
Slabtown TOO was changed; this s'lit-
tie candle" Of Hope had indeed thrown
its beams far and wide. Kindliness,
cheerfulsess, friendly words and deeds
made life brighter to the women of the
village.
The fourth winter OF Hopes life with
Aunt Melinda set in, but Jesse did not
go to the woods with the loggers. He
appeared at Miss Melinda's door one
morning in new suit of rough clothes,
having the rest of his goods tied up in O
silk handkerchief swinging at the end OF
stick over his shoulder.
'I come TO say fare-ye-well Miss Me-
Indy, he explained, staring past her at
Hopes dimpling face. "I'm goin' for to
seek my FORUM down the country. I
feel in my mind that I'm wuth more for
somethin else than lumberin'."
"Ain't you ruther vcntersomei" asked
Melinda, sharply.
'Nothin' vcnter nothin hev," he an
swered. Hope smiled from behind her
aunt.
"Good-bye Jcsse" she said, slipping
out to the step. ~ know you'll do we'll.
You're goin' to be credit to Shutdown
yet"
This was Jesse's accolade; now he
could do or die since Hope believed in
him. He wrung her hand and turned
on his heel without one word to Aunt
Melinda.
"Welll hope that's mannersl" was
her only comment. Hope wore grave
face all day, but no one asked why.
Jesse had that indomitablc will that
makes its way; he found work at first in
a saw-mill, then learned his trade in a
carpenters shop, and in five years had q
good place in builders great work.
shop, and was earning steady wages.
Now and then he was heard of in Slab
town; he sent a Christmas's card every
year to Hope, and once in great while
wrote to his cousin Lorena, who had
grown into a stout, lively girl.
Hope was we'll past eighteen when
Jesse came back to Shutdown; she had
found lovers already, for the sweet wild
flowers in the forest draw their bees even
in its sunny solitude; but Hope die not
care for lovers.
But Jesse appeared once more; we'll
looking, brisk fellow, but in Hopes pres
encc as shy as trapped partridge. Yet
he hung round her rs one Of the afore-
said bees would hang about a comb OF
honey; gasping now and then as If about
to say something, but never saying 1t.
At last he fairly waylaid and caught her
one soft August evening when she had
stolen out of the shed door to get a pail
of water from the spring; he stood in
her path as she turned to go back with
the dripping pail.
"IIope," he said, "I havo thought
about old times every day sence 1 see
you. demo- where should hev landed
If twant for you. KEEP thinkin' pa
pictorial of the old sayin', "If twasn't for
Hope the heart would break"
He looked at her with his heart blaz-
ing in his eyes. Hope colored, choked,
but rallied with toss of her head and
forced herself to speak, saying, of course,
the wrong thing.
az spose you don't call back the rest
on 't:--'Ef twasn't for fear, the fool
would speak,"
Jesse's face fushed--and tho fool
spoke.
So now they live in little white house
in Portland, and Shutdown is left with
out its moral sunshine; but Mrs. Nichols
has forgotten how to whine; Lorena
laughs, and Miss Melinda is as "hullsome
as Bald'in apple" Jim Nichols says,
when he is sober; while Jesse still clings
to his old soyin, and has written on his
carpenter bench-'lf twasnt't for Hope
the heart would break"
So much for the child who came to
Shutdown, filled with the gospel of love
and cheer Ladies Home Journal.