The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-11-12

dishonest.
Well, he is just that dishonest.
He has gone and | must pay the
note.
How can we Caleb, how can we?
The Lord only knows how. he
answered bitterly. And Jane, mark
my words, and he grasped her arm
in his earnestness, its the last nole
I'll sign with anyone. I've learned
lesson.
And seeming to be a little relieved
he commenced to unharness his
horses, forgetting, in his trouble
that the buggy was not in its accus-
toned place. With heavy, laggy
feet they went about their work.
Cropping as they were in the heavy
| darkness about them, like two little
lost children in the great woods at
night, they clung to each other with
touching love and helplessness. No
wonder their backs bent with the
load. 1t meant so much to them,
nearing the sunset of life. Paying
the note meant borrowed money and
a mortgage to back it, and a mort
gage about as good meant no home,
and no home-why, then nothing
but the poorhouse or life as town
pauper remained They were told
to start out and make another home,
and no child but Laura, poorer than
we are, they said, to offer shelter.
Is it any wonder that the inter
vening days were spent in utter dis
couragement, and the nights a
pattern of the days?
But for all he suffered so much,
when the note became due, he
braveiy met the demands and paid
every farthing of the debt made by
another man and altogether it meant
deprivation and suffering, his proud
| head carried aloit asked no mans
aid. The acres he had earned by
the sweat of his brow, were just held
by tiny sllken thread, as it were,
which would snap in an instant if
the money was not ready when the
mortgage became due. All the way
home the farmer thought and plan
ned and prayed for help.
If 4 could only have good crops
another year, or If could get some
start IN something else, or else if
yes, it all hangs on if, and its such a
tiny word that it don't give ME
bit of courage, and the old mans
chin rested on his bosom, while his
horses logged along SO happily,
unconscious Of the battle raging in
the heart of the silent figure, which
held the slack reins.
AS he reached his door, dear old
lane came out with smile. That
was her way, even if her heart was
bowed down with grief, but the look
on his face surprised her indeed.
Why, Caleb, has anything good
hannened2 You look SO contented
like and rested.
Yes, Jane, there has in one way,
for I have lain my burden upon
stronger shoulders. See here, is a
shame for us to CLAW clean tuckered
out bearing a burden when the Lord
has asked us to let him carry IT. it.
Says to myself coming home,
says | you were born into the world
helpless creature and God gave
you life and care. ard now as long
as you amt toolishly and knowingly
squandering his gifts OF course he'll
continue that care. Seer The
sparrows and the lilies, etc, you
know, Jane, so that's why | am con-
tented.
And of course if he was she
couldn't help but be, and tor the
first time they saw clearly where
they stood. Instead of an awful
chasm, waiting for their reluctant
bodies, lying directly in their path,
they saw dimly marked passes
through the dense cloud which hung
on every side. The sharp lines
melted into softer ones, the cloud
parted and showed lining of silver.
And instead of every by road and
cross road and highway all termina
ting in the yawning chasm, they
saw that all that was only part Of
the whole, and other by ways led
elsewhere and the highways kept on
as far as they could see.
Now as | don't feel so terribly
discouraged l believe | can write
Laura about it, Jane, and SO he got
up and in taltering hand he related
their distress and trustiulness. Away
the letter went, far slower than our
letters of to day go, but it went and
Laura received it. and Lem sat
directly down and replied and by
and by the father was breaking the
seal.
Well, Jane, what can he mean?
| am stunned! and the wife grasped
the letter and read:
DEAR FATHER-Come up and
perhaps can give you a lift, Laura
and children all well and ali send
love. Afectionately, LEM.
Yes, what can he mean9 Can it
be they have laid up money, Caleb?
Well, III go and see, at least.
So of he went in few days and a
few more found him entering Laura S
happy home, and undergoing & all the
smothering process OF being hugged
by three pairs of arms at once, while
Lem, Jr., kept saying: Is da,
dalnpa? and Pearl kept patting the
wrinkled cheek Then the fathe,