The Newtown bee., 1892-08-05
Under The Hammer.

Very sad words are these, betokening often the breaking up of homes and families.
 I went to such sale once. Only a day or two before, the head of the house. hold had been laid in the grave. He had been what people call one of the best hearted men in the world and only his own enemy. Now he lay in the old church yard, beside five little children, who had gone to heaven before they had learned to know him.
 Only one boy and the widow remain patient littte creatures, who seem born to endure sorrow and misfortune, but the boy was brave, manly fellow, to whom his mother clung with an almost worshipful love.
 As I entered the little home, I found it full of bargain hunting people. The widow and her son were still there.
 ''It's so hard to go!' she whispered, ssit's like second funeral to say good by to everything. You know I helped furnish the house with the money I made by keeping school. I prize every thing bought. It took on new color as soon as felt that it was mine., How I hate to have them all go in this cold, heartless fashion. If could only afford to give them to those I love, how l should delight in the privilege!"
 'sNever mind, mamma" said Thaddy, the blue-eyed boy, "I'll buy you lots when grow up and better than these" :"
 It wasn't the better that she wanted. Every homely stick was dearer to her than the costliest furniture that money could buy; for she had earned it all by sweet and patient thought, and frightened and beautified it by pretty fancies and tender hopes.
 That little worn rocking chair, in which she had rocked her little children, by which Thaddy had knelt so many times to say his evening prayers; the table at which they had all sat; the worn utensils from which so many little mouths had been fed ,-these were, com mon and of little value in the eyes of bargain hunters, but dear as her hearts best hopes to her.
 Some few there were among the com pany assembled who understood her feelings, or how could the little dented silver mug, or the two plated candle sticks that had belonged to her mother have come into her possession?
 A long time elapsed before l saw the widow again. After the sale of her property, she went West among her rel atives, and lost sight of her for nearly 14 years. One very stormy night, I was riding in the cars, and had seat all to myself. The conductor, who was a friend, had kindly turned the back of the seat in front of mine, so that l could rest more pleasantly. u..t -
 Gradually the car filled, until it would have been selfish for me to keep the two seats longer and I relinquished one very willingly to gentleman and his wife, and two little girls. .'t
 I was quite struck by the extreme beauty of the wife. She was one of the loveliest women I had ever seen. The children, one under a year, and the other scarcely over two, were as pretty as pie lures, and so good and quiet that it made one love them to see them.
 The husband was manly looking fel- low, and I thought to myself that a more beautiful family group could scarcely be found. Apparently they were in easy circumstances, for the wrappings of both parents and children were of good materials and elegantly made.
 Nor was loser for my readiness in accommodating them, for basket of the choicest fruit was opened, and was pressed to take liberal consignment of the dainties. The young man sat oppo- site me, the elder little girl beside him. The wife was myaclose neighbor, with her little one on her knee. Nor was the lovely stranger inclined to be unsocial.
 learned from her, and the rain beat upon the window, and the tempest liter ally howled outside, that she had been on visit to her mother, that she usu- ally went once year, and several pret- ty trifling items about the children which mothers love to tell. Suddenly the gentleman leaned forward and said, in an excited voice:
 s.It cannot be possible that this is Mrs L.i.
 ssBHt # is.'' said, smiling at his earn estness, yet wondering.
 Fl felt spre had seep and known you