The Van Buren press., 1894-06-23


Sweets-into your
list put that in.
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
SAY I'm growing old, but add
Jenny kissed mo.
leigh Hunt
s'Wil you kindly bring in log. Mrs.
Dawson, and then You may go. shall
not require anything more tonight
VERY we'll, sir. I'll put the kettle
On the hob for you: you may like to
have little something hot later on,
and l always think = kettle is such
company
grunt was the only response to
this well-meant offer. as Mrs. Dawson,
charwcman and caretaker. went out of
the room.
sConfound that woman's incessant
chatter; thank goodness l shall be
left in peace for the next few hours at
least."
The speaker. . cross-looxing. hard
featured old man. settled himself to
the best OF his ability among his pill
lows, for he was an invalid, but
somehow the pillows would not
take the curve he wanted, and
ut last breathless and exhaust
cd, he sank back and closed his eyes,
giving up the attempt A look of
intense WEAKNESS came over his thin
old face, and think his worst enemy
would have felt some pity for him
now, old, Ill and alone, with no one to
care whether he were alive or dead.
His loneliness was indeed pitiable.
Presently he turned his head towards
the fiickcring freight, and had any
one been there to see, they
would have noticed something glisten-
ing in the old mans eyes snspiciously
like tears, but, as said before, he was
alone, 50 no one brushed those tears
away from his eyes, or tried to turn
his thoughts into brighter channel.
The fire burnt on fitfully, casting
weird shadows On the furniture of the
room, handsome old-fashioned furni-
turc. that told you the owner was by
no means a poer man, In fact, there
was everything in the room that told
of wealth. but comfort and homeliness
were wanting. The magic touch of a
loving woinan's hand might have
worked wonders, but then she also was
wanting
The old-fashioned black ebony clock
ticking solemnly was the only sound
that broke the stiffness. Occasionally
. red-hot coal fell with dull thud in
30 the fender, and then the fire would
burn up brightly for mourDk or two.
bringing the white face md the white
hands of the occupant Of the bed into
high relief agatnst the dark shadows
thrown by the heavy moreen curtains
Of the old-fashioned four-post bed
stead BY and by, as the kettle began
% sing In soft and soothing way,
tho WEAKNESS of the face relaxed, as
the eyes CLOSED, and the old man fell
asleep. and judging from the trans
formation Of has face his dreams must
have been happy ones
..Daady-boy. be quiet, Won naughty
little dog. or You'll wake up my poor
old gennlemans--this with a soft ad-
monishing pat on the head of re-
marhably mischievous-looking fox ter
rier pup The voice came from the
doorway, wherestood quaint little
6gure. In her arms, caught up with a
good portion of the littl3 white night
gown, was the puppy addressed Peep
ing cautiously round. the little figure
advanced a few steps into the room,
looking all the time at the bed, and
clutching At the puppy for confidence,
until that long-suffering animal pro-
tested with squeak, only to be again
gently patted on the head and told to
keep quiet. Still fixing her eyes on
the bed, the little girl climbed up into
the big leather armchair, in front OF
the fire, and smoothing her night
gown over her knees she deposited the
puppy. who first shook himself we'll on
finding he was released from his
previous snffocating position, and then
curled himself up with long drawn
out sigh that would have done justice
to the NEST blase and ancient dog.
What quaint little couple they were,
this baby girl and puppy dog.
The former with her little pink toes
protrnding from under the hem Of her
nightgown, her curly hair as it caught
the light of the fire, glittering with a
bright coppcry gold, the big misehiev-
Gus brown eyes looking SO serious, and
the sweet little mouth and dimpled
chin, sat with a most determined ex-
preston that gave curious dignity to
the quaint little figure. The puppy
dog, on the other hand, with one ear
pricked, his head resting forward on
his paws, and the eye that was not
closed looking sharply round the room.
on the lookout for mischief or rats.
After looking steadily at the occu-
pant OF the bed for some time. the
child murmured to herself: Poor old
man, he's got no jam and no Dandy
gave me jam. and when l had the
measles the doctor gave me Dandy
boy. COS l was good and looked my
medicise proply-
ThHpld man turned in his sleep and
smil6f4 Instantly the child slipped
DOWN of the chair. upsetting the
puppy on the hearthrug just as he was
on the point of going to sleep, and
crossing the room on tip-toe she went
over to the bedside, and stood there
gently smoothing the pillow over and
over again with her little hand, and
grooming n lullaby almost under her
breath, the lullaby that she used to
sing to her doh and to nandv-hey
some times, when she wanted him to
sleep.
sleeper seemed to have vanished. SO
tranquil and happy an expression