The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-09-19

lighted In the sitting-Fo0m ne cane
into the Kitchen with his BOOK and en-
seoneed hiaiseIf in the great rocking
chair beside the stove.
That was the pleasantest day Of
Janet's life. Mr.. Dent told her such
funny stories, aud read 20 beautifully
from his great book and then, ne iilIed
the waier-pails, and kept the fire burn
ing, and jumped up to lift the heavy
tubs for her, and sat down again TO
keep the bread from burning while she
carried Mrs. Titus' dinner up.
And while he was doing all this, Mr..
Dent was thinking what dear little
patient thing she was, and how prettily
the nut-brown hair curled over her
head.
At night he filed the boxes with
wood, strained the milk, wound the
high clock and turned the eats out [; and
all day he had a jest for everything,
and genial glance and kind tone,
that turned darkness into light for
Janet.
She sighed with happiness as she
went to sleep, though Mrs. Titus good
night word had been that she was a
lazy, gOod-for-nothing thing - and that
she ''should be down stairs tomorrow
To see what Janet was up to-"
The northeast storm continued, and
Mr.. Dent was sitting by the fire again,
when Mrs. Titus limped into the kiteh-
en- with cane.
Now, Mr.. Dent had just been chop
ping minee-meat, Mrs. Titus gingham
apron and ruffied cap on, and had bare
ly east them aside, when the lady OPEN
ed the door and caught Janet laughing.
She might well have looked amazed,
for she never had seen Janet laughing
before. Now, why she probably could
not have told, but Mrs. Titus was very
much offended.
She waited until dinner was served,
and Janet had gone into the well-roOm
to cool the pudding then she began a
bitter TRADE:
Pretty business this is, giggling and
foOling your time away. and everything
To do f., Mr.. Dents been reading poetry
to you, has he Z? How much more churn-
ing can you do when you listen to po-
etry? Have you baked that fruit-eake:
Well, / know it's made wrong Did you
shut that settin' hen off the nest? /
don't believe it. What's Mr.. Dent in
the kitchen for, any way ~
''FOr the fire, ma'am. The chambers
are 80 chilly. And I had 80 much to do,
and he was kind, and his arms were
strong" faltered poor little Janet.
''Umph Been complaining 10 Mr.
Dent, have you, that you work - hard'
Whining, goOd-for-nothing creature |
wish I'd left YOU in the asylum. /
never thought of your turning out like
this-luring men into my kitchen when
I'm sick i'm bed
''Stop, Mrs. Titus - interposed Mr..
Dents heavy voice. Better not 90 too
far. Janet has told YOU all there il To
tell. did think she worked too hard.
/ felt kindly toward her. have pair
of strong arms which have helped her
a little, and they are still at her service.
They shall be hers for life if she will.
Little Janet, will you accept me for
husband Many younger man will
not be u tender and true ~ j, Janet.
Will you come, little one ~
And Janet-she looked once with her
wide, innocent eyes into the strong,
gentle face, then went straight into
those extended arms, though Mrs. Ii
tus stood by smiling the air in scorn.
''Well, / never ~ she exclaimed
''To think of il -
Janet never was scOlded again.
Those kind, strong arms have been
about her ever. To he sure, she was
not educated for a gentleman's wife,
but Mr.. Dent took her home To the
kindest of mothes and sisters, whose
influence and tact polished her unOb-
strusive manners, and soon made her
the most elegant of women. The toll
worn hands are white IL snow now
but better than all, her heart Is the
happiest that ever beat in "A wife's
breast