The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-11-11
HOW WAS ONE TO KN0W2


girl Of about sixteen years of age were
struggling alone through the darkness,
! bespatted with mud and almost worn
out with fatigue.
Its long seven mile, | reckon--eh,
Myra ?" said the old man as he stopped
to rest for moment on his oaken stall.
The girl gave him her arm once more
"You must let me help you" said she.
ave are not halfway there yet
"Johu couldn't ha' got my letter"
said the old man, or he'd ha' been at
the depot with o wagon. tn be n
herd blow to John when he finds out
tho old place is sold and gone, but how
vas one to know? We've had lots Of
had luck, Myra," he added, plaintivcly.
II hope no won't blame mo, although II
I had known we might ha' pulled
through"
Father" said Myra, "you did all
that could be done. II Mr.. Enwick
had lived you would not have had to
| pay the note, for he was IN honest man.
It's IN act Of Providence and will come
out all right in the end"
"leS, Myra; don't want to bo goin'
agin Providence, but John had his
| heart sOt so on the old place, and now
| it's gone. How was one to know that
Mr. Enwick would ha' been killed so
uddin'? You hev those minin' certiti-
Gates, l spose, Myra ?" said the old
man. after long silence.
YES" said Myra, II put them
away in our buudle."
I'm glad o that, Myra, for though
they amt worth nothin' now, they'll
kind O remind me when feel like COM
plainin' that Brother Enwick would ha'
saved MS If he could"
The roadway, filed with miry chuck
holes and lined on either side with
stones and brambly bushes, became al
most impassable. The old mans
breath c..mo faster aad faster. Myra
, supported him now all the while. He
had long since stopped talking, and
MYra knew that il would only exhaust
him more and so kept silent The dark
ness decpenod until at last al objects
were uudiscernihle, except that hero
and there the light from the kitchen
window of some farmhouse struggled
out into the foggy night 1t was late
when they stood at Johns door and
knocked fer admission. The inmates
had retired and it took some time to
arouse them.
"Whos theYe?" roarel a rough voice
from the interior.
at the answer there were some impre-
cations in an undertone, whether at the
darkness, the cat or the visitors is hard
to tell, hut finally the key turned and
John stood in the doorway with candle
in his hand.
How in thunder did you get here
such night rs this?" was his affection
ate welcome.
1--WE walked" answered Myra, for
the old man had sunk into a chair al
most too exhausted to speak.
"Howdy, john" he murmured; "you
didn't get my letter, s'pose?'
Il got it, said John, "but You didn't
think me sech fool as to drive to town
through soch roads as this, did YEP"
IL meant nothin, John; we was able
to walk" and the old man raised his
weary head and tried to look cheerful
$50 the old place is gone" said the
son in low voice.
"Yes, John; Providence sees fit to
make me poor in my old days and we've
come to live with you. Myrau be q
great help and chore around"
Providence, did you say ?' retorted
John. "It was nothing but blasted
foohshness. You might ha' known
more than sign that note, and as for
Myra, what use will she be round here,
I'd like to know? But hang up your
duds; it's late and we've days work
head Of us to-molrer. You can sleep
in the loft bed and Myra can crawl in
with the hired GIRL" and without q
word moro he ushered them weary and
supperless to their miserable beds.
When at last the old man fell asleep
there were tear-marks on his withered
cheeks. Myra rose and crept to the
door Of his room. 81 couldn't ha
helped it, john" she heard him mur.
mur in his restless slumber. Brother
Enwick means we'll and it kind O. seems
that Providence must ha done it. III
chore round, and Myra is so good well
make no trouble" The sky had cleared
and bright moonlight was now shin.
ing into the room. There was ar
anxious, pleading look on the old
mans face, Suddenly he stretched out
his arms. "Oh, john" he cried
"look at me as you used to do wher
you was leetle boy, when you pu
your arms round my neck and kissed
me. You was the purtiest boy then
days" He smiled at some happy re
membrance. Myra stopped and kisset
him and again he smiled. "Iu do it,
she said to herself. "Brother John is
brute"
The next morning when her fathe
woke Myra was at his bedside
Father" said Myra, "Im going bacl
to Scranton to-day to find work. JOIN
will not think so hard of us if we tax
care of ourselves"
The old man tried to demonstrate
but she Quieted his fears. "Soon as
get place will send for you to come