Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-07-03
DAISY'S FOURTH.

At the railway station of certain in
significant settlement beyond the Rock
les number of men were waiting the
distribution of the mail one bright day
in April There was no especial reason
for excitement. but the newly estab
lished fact Of daily halt Of the train and
postoffice of their own was enough tc
attract the expectant as well as those tc
whom tho receipt of letter would be a
surprise.
Among the scanty supply of letters
brought by the eastern mail was dain-
ty square envelope addressed to Mr.. j.
Lucas, which the postmaster held up for
admiration, with the remark that it
would have to go to its own funeral in
the dead letter Office, for there was no
one Of that name in that part of the coun-
try
Reckon it's for me-" said an elderly
man on crutches, moving slowly through
the curious crowd.
We'll, never thought of your having
any name but Uncle jerry" said the
postmaster, handing him his property,
but s'pose You know best"
Mr.. Lucas laughed, then opened his
letter and read it through. Boys" said
he soberly, its from my niece. She's a
widow. Husband died fore they'd been
married year. She wants to come on
and live with me awhile cause her little
girls all broken down after scarlet fever.
The doctors sending her out here to get
toned up. But, good Lord, what shall l
do with woman here where there's no
accommodations for them?'
Would you mind showing me the
letter." said Jack Dinsmore rather hesi-
tatingly. Sometimes can get quite an
idea ofa person by letter, and maybe |
could suggest something to help you
out"
They were all officious in suggestions,
but Uncle Jerry waited patiently for
Jacks opinion, believing, as most of the
community did, that whatever sense and
wisdom he did not possess were not worth
mentioning. He handed back the letter,
saying: Don't worry about her, Uncle
Jerry, but let her come. She doesn't write
like woman that's bound to sleep on
rose leaves and remember" softly, 'if
there's money wanted to make her COM
Portable, I've useless pile of it all ready
for you to dip into"
'Iguess we'll have enough of it. You
notice Daisy says she's collected life in
surance and won't be burden to no
body And lately I've been doing pretty
well with that stone post invention
put some money into"
Uncle Jerry was almost helpless with
rheumatism, but Jack was most able
coadjutor. and by unblushing bribery
and corruption succeeded in securing
the two most decent rooms in the tall
shanty called by courtesy the hotel for
the use of the expected guests. There
was much excitement among the resi-
dents when the appointed day came, and
the pretty, graceful woman who stepped
from the cars might we'll have been ter
rified at the spectacle of platform
crowded with men, who eagerly watched
her every motion. But she had no thought
fol anything but the sleeping child be-
meath whose weight her own slender
frame seemed almost bending. Such
men as those who watched her were too
chivalrous to wait for Uncle Jerry's slow
approach. Half dozen sprang forward
with an entreaty to be allowed to help
her, and in moment the lovely 3-year-
old baby's blond curly head was resting
on Jack Dinsmore's shoulder. The sleepy
blue eyes opened for look at him, then
closed again contentedly, and the little
mother, with grateful, confding glance,
turned to look for her uncle.
Its a genywine treat to see a first
class lady out here and real live baby,
even If it's kinder weak and siclxly," said
one of the gang of observers as they
slowly dispersed after enjoying the affec-
tionate meeting between uncle and niece.
1t was feeling they ali shared, and
the gentle, womanly influence so swayed
the crowd Of men who filled the long
tables at the hotel that they were no
longer the reckless set who had been sit
ting there for months. Changes in dress
were not practicable in every case, but
soap. razors and combs eyerted their
constant and humanizing power
The baby grew stronger every day,
and the mother was wildly happy in
watching the change in her darling, who
soon became the idol of every one.
The long hotel piazza devoted to smok-
ers was not a fit place for woman, and
at Jacks instigation some of the men
ran out rough balcony or gallery in
front of Mrs. Lanes room, and there like
a queen she held little reception every
evening with Uncle Jerry as chaperon.
All her new friends worshiped the bright
little woman, and several who had no
home ties to hinder fell madly in love
with her. Some of these modestly real
lied the hopelessness of their fancy and
soon drew off, watching with the others
the wooing of two, who, whether hope
less or not, were in dead earnest. One
of these aspirants was Jack Dinsmore,
the other less popular man, nicknamed