Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1892-10-14


much a month for his keep. 1t amt
every one that would be willing to have
an old man like him about. But he's
harmless aud quiet, and the 50 week
helped us. But Breezy Point has grown
to be a fashionable resort, and things
have changed. And what's worse his
folks have left off sending the money"
'I wonder why9" said Helen, her
large, dreamy eyes fixed sadly on the old
man, who sat under the naples wistfully
watching the sea.
"They're dead, p'raps," said Mrs. Dag
gett. "Or p'raps the've got tired of him.
Anyhow, it's three months since we've
heard word, and me aud Dageett have
made up our minds that we can't stand
it any longer, so we're going to put him
on the town. Lawyer Boxall says it's
legal and right aud they can't expect any
thing else of us. Squire Sodus is to
send his covered carryall next Saturday,
an old Daddy Mifflin'll suppose he's
going for a ride. And so thingsll go off
smooth and pleasant.
"Smooth and pleasant" Helen Hyde
looked across the grassy lawn to the lit
tie old man with his mild, abstracted
face, his ruffled shirt front, the silver
hair that glistened in the sunshine and
the white, claw like fingers that slowly
turned themselves backward and forward
as he sat there.
"He owned the place once" said
Mrs. Daggett, "5ut his sons turned out
bad and he indorsed for Squire Sodus's
cousin and lost everything. Aud here
he is in his old age, without a penny
What is it Beckya The oven ready for
the pies2 Yes, Pm coming"
She hustled away, leaving Helen
alone. A sort of inspiration entered the
girls heart as she sat there with the
briny smell of the ocean filling her senses
and the rustic of the maple leaves MUIR
muring softly overhead. She took Mrs.
Dardanei's $40 bill from her pocket and
looked long and earnestly at it. She
thought of the little one-horse carryall
which she and the girls from Ixwood
Institute were to have hired together to
drive over the hills and glens all those
sweet, misty summer afternoons, of the
excursions to Twin Rock by steamer
upon which she had counted; of the new
black bunting dress which she had de-
cided to buy. She must abandon all
these little darling extravagances if she
INDUCED in this other fancy.
''As if there could be any choice"
she said TO herself.
Then she got up and went softly
across the grass and clover blossoms to
where Daddy Mtiin sat.
"Do you like this piacel' she asked,
softly.
'It's home, my DEAR" he answered,
seeming to rouse himself out of a
reverie; "it's home. have lived here
for eighty odd years. l could not live
anywhere else
"But there are other places pleas
anter."
at may be, my dear; it may be-" he
said, looking at her with troubled eyes
through the convex lenses of his glasses.
"But they wouldn't be the same to
me-"
Helen went to Mrs. Daggett, who was
baking pies aud rolls and stra wberry
shortcake all at once.
HMrs. Daggett," said she, "here are
$40 which Mrs. Dardanel gave to me to
do as | pleased with, and please to
give it to you to keep old Mr.. Mifflin
here five weeks longer"
s'Mercy sakes alive" said Mrs. Dag
gett; ''he amt no kin to you, is he2"
ssNo," said Helen, shut he is so old
and feeble and friendless, and-and-
please, Mrs. Daggett, take the money.
Perhaps by the time that is gone | shall
be able to send a little more. My en-
ployers are going to pay me generously in
city, and | feel myself growing better
able to work every day."
So Helen Hyde adopted the cause of
one even poorer and more friendless
than herself, and for over a year she
paid 50 a week steadily, and Mr.. Miffiin
never knew what danger had menaccd
him.
At the end of that time the old gentle
mans grandson came from some wide,
wild region across the sea, tall, dark
eyed young man with the mien of a
prince in disguise.
"My father aas been dead year." he
said. "Ard his papers have only just
been thoroughly investigated, so that l
have Just learned for the first time that
there is an arrearage due on my grand
fathers allowance. hope he has not
been allowed to suffer-
"Oh, he's all right" said Mrs. Dag
gett. 'Wc have taken excellent care of
him."
"You are noble hearted woman"
said the young man, fervently clasping
her hand, ''and l will see that you are
no loser by your generosity"
'lt ain'c me-" SAID Mrs. Daggett,
turning red and white, for Helen Hyde,
now spending her second summer at the
farm house, sat by, quietly sewing in
the window recess. 'Im free to allow
that me and Daggett got out of patience
and was going to put HIM on the town,
but Miss Hyde, here, one of our board
ers, she's paid for him ever since"
81 beg your pardon if have inter-
fered," said Helen, blushing scarlet as
the large black eyes fell scrutinizingly on
her face, "but he seemed so old and
helpless that"
"God bless you for your noble deed I"
said Ambrose Mitliin, earnestly.
But there was something in Helen's
manner which prevented him from offer
ing any pecuniary recompense to her.
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