Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-11-12
OLD DOLLY
BY LAUREL.

long spell this year.
Il wonder where Lucilla is to-night, !"
murmured Mrs Bradshaw
Always thinkin' of her, amt you,
mother D.? Well, I'm in the same boat
specially to-day l keep expecting to
see her every minute
" Perhaps she has thoughts of visit
ing us, J." said his wife, hopefully, land
that's why she doesn't write. We have
not heard from her for long time"
Yes, yes-and it's queer she never
comes home. It's three years since
she was married it ain t like her to stay
away from us so long. Things have
not all gone right with her, I'm afraid.
5. e was always proud and high strung,
YOU know, and would rather suffer
a one than have any one know of her
misfortunes.
An hour crept slowly by, broken only
by the click of Mother Bradshaw's
knitting needles. The old man gazed
into the fire with an absent look, as if
irving to follow the wanderings of his
only child
Day after tomorrow is Lucilla's
birthday, father" broke in Mrs. Brad
shaw at last.
Il know, mother. never liked the
looks O that husband O. hers, he went
on. He had such slippery tongue.
| And he always dressed SO nice, and
seemed to have nothin' to do. I'm
sorry she married in such a hurry. l
hadn't time to think, hardly, before
she was gone.
We'll, father, it's no use maxim our
selves miserable worryin' over what's
done and settled" said Mother Brad
shaw, as she arose to make preparations
for the night. "Lucilia would have
bim, spite of all I could say, and craps
sizes happier than we think.
Mr.. bradshaw said nothing, but went
to the door to take final look at the
/ weather.
! How the wind howls and means I"
he exclaimed. IN bank up the fire
tonight; twill be dreadful cold by
mornin' l shouldn't wonder if the
snow covered all the tops o the fences.
In half hours time all was quiet
a'1und the Bradshaw farmhouse except
! i!it Nll't. " IIitIl dU WI ~
ping up great banks of snow, block
tIing the roads, covering up the fences,
aAd completely putting a stop to all
travel for several days.
Winter is come in real earnest, said
! Mrs. Bradshaw the next morning. as she
drew aside the window curtains.
There, now!' exclaimed the farmer
with start. How could / be SO for
getiul 81
w hat is it, father q
'Old Dolly, Lucilla's pet mare. 7
meant to put her under shelter last
nj ut, and forgot it. l suppose she's
nea ' froze by this time, or may he
showed up. She's in the south asture.
| must 90 and get her right away.
oh. well, she il a sensible creature
and no doubt took shelter in the old
Stable down there" said Mrs. Brad
shaw.
That reminds me, mother; Pm sure
[ saw light in the stable window last
night; some tramp must have got in.
"Oh, nonsense Who would be out in
such weather p
We'll, | don't know, I saw it quite
plain; but perhaps twas trick O my
eyes; they're gettin' SO poor.
"Of course it was, said Mrs. Brad
shaw
Breakfast over, the old farmer briskly
sAoyelled pathway between the house
and barn, fed the stock, and then pre-.
pared for journey to the south pas.
ture by donning heavy overcoat, fur
cap, home knit mittens, and large.
thick scarf.
III look in and see what has ten.
anted the old barn on my way back, he
said, half jokingly, as he left the house.
The wind had gone down considcra.
bly,, but still blew strongly. The snow
was deep, and at every step Mr.. Brad
shaw sank into it up to his boot tops;
this made walking very hard. Old
Dolly was not there.
Mothers right; the clever critter'
taken shelter in the barn, he thought.
He hastened toward the crazy build
ing and entered it Yes, there was
Dolly, sure enough, standing in a
broken down stall, and evidently max
ing the best of her cheerlcss condition.
As Mr.. Bradshaw approached she
W nlied softly; at the same time an
! other noise-a very strange one for such
! iace-attracted his attention. He
Ii med. 1t was a chill's cry! Hur-
ii turning in the direction from
..l it came. a sight met his eyes
". i.n made him start back in surprise.
On heap Of straw, covrret by an old