Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1894-06-15

| ana maue some steps 10 ledu up 10 IL.
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 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, che was out of her way"
still, she did not feel quite easy about
him.
It seemed dreadful thing to have
her old father sleeping out there alone
in 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 errand to neighbor's house, to
find that the "May moving" had taken
place. Abner, who had been 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, darter," 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-respect. After that she could
not oppose him farther. She allowed
him the most perfect freedom to come
and go as he liked.
"God III take care of him, as 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 an offer of four
thousand dollars for the 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 -
"The best of it is" continued
Abner, who just now could think of
nothing but the money, "the best of
it is, Belindy, it's going to be paid
/
clap it into the bank, and let it stay
till after the crops are in. Then
well 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 TAX
ing all possible advantage OF her un
usual opportunity.
Mary, their only daughter, had
married poor man, and was now n
widow. supporting herself and child
by working in the factory in a distant
| town. To have her child and grand
child Mt home with her had long been
the wish of the mothers heart; but
her husband had always put her off.
"Wait till We get into the new
house." he had always said. 'Then
/ therell be more room" But she had
/ feared that he never really meant to
consent. Now, to her astonishment
and delight, he answered good
! naturcdly
"Yes, yes let 'em comet"
His good luck seemed to have
warmed his heart, and made him for
once fatherly and benevolent.
The next day the man who had
bought the Pinney farm paid to Abner
the price in full-four thousand
dollars; more money than either
Abner or his wife hal over seen be
fore.
In the midst OF their joyful excite
ment, they were both suddenly struck
with an anxious fear. Since Abner
could not take the money 10 the bank
till the next day, where should they
put il for saie-ketping through the
Right2
After much deliberation they de
cidcd 10 hide Il in little cupboard
over tho mantol IA the parlor, and
accordingly, while Belinda tiptoed 10
the window aud made sure no ono was
nigh to see, Ahner wrapped the money
carefully ia a large baadanna handker-
chief, ani pat il IN a dark corner of
the cupboard.
several times AhneF lett hia work
aud stale lnta tbs parl1r g. make sure
that the money Nas safe, aud a. otton
questioned neryausly a. b. aheIheF
they hal ehosen tbs beat hiding'
] N..IN.. l. ........A.t.ly.l a.. a.