Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-06-25

form around them, just below where
the main branches joined the trunks,
and made some steps to lead up to it
Then ON the last day of May, which
was unusually warm for the season,
in spite of his daughters coaxing and
scolding, he insisted on dragging his
bed and bedding up there. A single
chair and his Testament completed
the furnishing.
From that time on, not only did he
spend his days in the tree chamber,
but he actually slept there at night.
Nothing but u smart shower could
drive him into the house.
What seemed strange, no harm came
to him from the exposure. He did
not get the terrible colds and rheu-
matism that Belinda had feared; on
the contrary, he seemed to grow
stronger and happier every day. And
she found she could accomplish twice
as much work. 1t was true, as Abner
had said, she was out of her way :"
still, she did not feel quite easy about
him.
1t seemed a dreadful thing to have
her old father sleeping out there alone
III the darkness of the night! So she
anxiously hoped that he would not
think of going this year.
But few days after the recorded
conversation, Belinda came home from
an GRAND to n neighbor's house, to
find that the "May-m wing" had taken
place. Abuer, who had been IL wit
ness to the proceeding, only said,
carelessly:
"Let him be, he's all right; nothing
happened to him last year"
What finally reconciled Belinda
more than anything else was remark
her father made in his rambling way,
which gave her new insight into his
feeling.
"Belindy, dartor," he said, don't
hender me. Everything is free out
of-doors, free and welcome.
She knew then that he realized how
grudgingly he was housed and fed.
His withdrawal from the house seemed
but natural instinct, the protest of
his self-respcct After that she could
not oppose him farther. She allowed
him the most perfect freedom to come
and go as he liked.
''God IL take care of him, rs Ho
does of the birds and the rest of His
creatures" she said to herself, trust
fully.
One day Abner came in very much
elated.
"Belindy!" he exclaimed, what
should you say to un offer of four
thousand dollars for tho old place
What kind of an offer is That, hey?"
and he rubbed his hands in great sat
isfaction.
81 should say it was bouncing
good offer, and you'd better take it.
said his wife.
He went on excitedly to tell her the
particulars.
"And now, Abner," she said pres
emily, in her coaXing way, 81 do hope
you'll try and feel little more pa
tient with grandpa Just think OF
all that money coming to us through
him !"
"Iho best of it is" continued
Abner, who just now could think of
nothing but the money, "the best of
it is, Bclindy, it's going to be paid
down So all I've got to do is to
clap ii into the bank, and let it stay
till after the crops are in. Then
we'll begin the new house right away
have it all done and ready to move
into by spring.
"And when we get into the new
house, we're going to have Mary and
the baby come home to live with us,
amt we? You know you've prom
ised," reminded his wife, bent on talk
ing all possible advantage OF her un-
usual opportunity.
Mary, their only daughter, had
married poor man, and was now
widow, supporting herself and child
Dy working in the factory in distant
own. To have her child and grand
child at home with her had long been
he wish of the mothers heart; but
ler husband had always put her off.
"Wait till we get into the new
louse," he had always said. .'Then
here'll be more room" But she had
cared that he never really meant to
consent. Now, to her astonishment
md delight, he answered good
laturedly:
"Yes, yes; let EN- come!"
His good luck seemed to have
warmed his heart, and made him for
once fatherly and benevolent.
The next day the man who had
lought the Pinney farm paid to Abner
tho price in full-four thousand
dollars; moro money than either
Abner or his wife had ever seen be
fore.
In the midst Of their joyful excite
ment, they were both suddenly strucl
with an anxious fear. Since Abne,
could not take the money to the ban
till the next day, where should the
put it for safe-kee ping through the
night?
After much deliberation they dc
cided to hide it in little cupboard
over the mantol in tho parlor. anl