Mower County transcript., 1893-09-20
CHAPTER VII.

Tue uTSC 10 4dugn at anu ENJOY.
CHAPTER VII.
Mr. and Mrs. Newton were unable dur
ing the evening to forget the intimations
George had given them respecting JAS
per's predictions. They struggled faith
fully against suspicion and would have
rejoiced to be convinced that they had
been mistaken. But that Grenville had
come to them that evening laden with
some disquiet which he was anxious to
conceal was too apparent, and that Rose
was disturbed and made uncertain by it
was also equally manifest.
After all were seemingly calm Mr..
Newton again referred to Dunbar's prop
osition and acknowledged that they had
always indulged the hope that some time
they might retire from the city and de-
vote their last days to just such pursuits
as were now open to them.
But present indications portended
year of strife, and any day might see our
country involved in all the horrors of
civil war. Was it wise, therefore, to
enter upon an occupation that would be
difficult to manage, particularly should
such a calamity come upon us? He then
acknowledged that every scheme which
had risen before his mind as desirable
had been checked in the outset by the
steadily increasing conviction that the
arrogance of the south was fast taking
such shape as would compel the north
to meet it with the strong arm of law, if
not with military force
For moment Grenville's face was in
dicative of such intense and passionate
emotion that it very nearly mastered
him, but his eye quailed before Mr.. New,
toms steady look, and Georges attitude
greatly disconnected him.
Most fortunate for him, Ralph had
drawn Roses attention to himself, and
neither remarked his strange excitement,
but it was a sad confirmation of the par
ents' fear for their daughters future
Nor could they fail to notice that while
Dunbar's countenance evinced sorrow
there was no mark Of surprise. Lillian's
fears were also awakening, and Georges
indignation could hardly be controlled.
A sign from his father of warning-al-
most of entreaty-restoredh his composure
sufficiently to esc:;1re Roses notice as she
suddenly exclaimed:
"Ralph says he will accept Eustace's
offer of a plowboy's place, only, by tho
way, until he sees if our country Shall
need him in a less peaceful feld,".
'"Oh, my children" said Mrs. Newton,
''do not give utterance to such thought.
Wait, hoping that God will restrain the
folly Of our misguided brethren and keep
us all in peace. Should our country need
any Of you there will be no withholding
the most precious. But the time is not
yetw
INC, my dear wife, not yet, but any
week, any hour, the storm may be upon
us, and it is wise in whatever form it
comes that we are not found unpre-
pared. Still my impression is that we
may manage to bring the farming
scheme into some definite shape. OF
course, Eustace, you and I will enter
more fully into details after have had
a day or two to think upon it.
lone week will bring everything to a
close here and leave us free to enter up
on other labor; therefore you had better
take Lillian and her mother out to the
place on Mon.ay and learn if all is in
habitable order and bring back full
report. Should everything be favorable
you and will have an agreement drawn
up that will be satisfactory to both,
guarding my pride and your affection
from collision.
"Of course this is but rough draft
and very crude. Reflection may greatly
modify and perhaps compel US to relin-
quish it altogether, but as have rough
ly sketched it how does the idea of this
new life please you all?'
'I would ask nothing better, my hus-
band. If I remember Alright, we cannot
fail to make labor a pleasure in such a
spot"
II am sure it will not take long to
make my hands acquainted with real la
bor," said George, land would serious
ly propose, father, as soon as you can
decide that you allow me to begin the
work preparatory to moving the family
'Indeed you may, my boy, and shall
cheerfully find you active employment
in a few days, for we can afford no loiter,
ing now"
"Well, father, you may as well find
work for Alfred and me at the same
time.' said Ralph. eve have no inten:
- ton of being the idle ones, I assure you.
"My son, cannot yet bring my mind
to allow either of you to leave your stud.
les till your full course is finished"
"Excuse me, father; I cannot consent
20 that delay. Imean to begin with you
at the very beginning, and I believe
love study sufficiently to promise that
my evenings and leisure hours shall be
employed in continuing the course I am
or, -