The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1894-03-17

: bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked woman;
woman with the look of one who can
both plan and accomplish large things.
"Well2' she questioned.
II want dinner early" he said. I'm
going to town this afternoon. Abner'll
b here. too set him to blowing in
the south lot this morning."
"But, Dick. you're not going off
without cutting the wood?" called Mol
ly, as he took up the gun he had stood
against the fence, and. whistllng to
his dog, sauntered across the field
.'Dickl" she called again; but he did
not turn or look back; and Molly,
catching up the baby girl that was
clinging TO her dress. ran lightly down
the steps and around the corner OF the
house to the wood-pile.
There wero several big logs that Dick
had hauled from the woods just utter
New Years, when he was turning
over I new leaf" Against the saw.
horse idly leaned the az and the saw,
like old cronies that were trying to
wink ct the gudeman's sins of omis-
sion. But not . stick of wood ready
for tue stove was anywhere visible.
''Well," said Molly, ''Im sorry, but It
must be DONE" The song OF robin
fluttered out upon the air--such tri-
umphant burst Of melody that the
baby clapped her hands and laughed.
''Oh, said Molly, "little Robin sings
~ II he was glad to get back home
again. doesn't he, Jessie?"
Such wonderful morning It wasl
Everything seemed to be rejoicin z in
the new awakening Of ma ture. Far
on, In the shadows Of the woods, and In
some sequestered fence corners, Molly
could see the snow-drifts that still
fingered. a. II 10th TO leave such
glad, beautiful earth.
But there was work waiting to be
done, and only one pair of hands to do
It They were strong, resolute hands,
and Molly hurried back into the house,
setting herself to the tasks before her
with the deft fingers and wise fore
thought that always seemed to work
such miracles in her homely world
Little Jessie followed her about, watch
ing with grave, sweet eyes while her
mother SKINNED the cream from the
long row Of shining pans In the milk
room and prepared the mornings
churning. Then, while she churned
and the little one quietly amused her.
self. Molly planned the days cam
paign;. or, rather, reinforced her cour-
age for the attack already planned.
with reasons that seemed to her both
strong and just The churning done,
Jessie was at her side begging to be
rocked to sheep
''Sing, 'Hush,' mamma" she said,
laying the bright head against her
mothers hand, that she had taken In
both her own.
Molly drew her rocking chair near
the south window. and, with Jessie
cuddled close In loving arms, crooned
softly to her sweet old hymn that has
soothed SO many childish hearts:
"Hush. my dear, lie still and slumber;
Holy angels guard thy bed"
1t was not part Of Molly's wisdom to
deny herself or her child the exquisite
pleasure this afforded. Whatever might
be said in support of the theory and
practice of disciplining the little ones
to forego this ''coddling," Molly's true
and tender mother heart was its own
law glver, and with reverent Joy she
tasted daily Of this cup OF blessing; the
purest and sweetest that life could ever
bring. She knew that she had never
come SO near to Heavens bliss as this.
She knew the same ecstatic Joy that
Mary felt when she Graded In her arms
the infant Christ And, In all the years
10 come, when never again that sunny
head could rest upon her breast, there
must always remain this blessed re-
membranes. Though, like Paul, she
might be in perils Often" aye, though
even 1.-THE sword might pierce her own
soul" no deepest sorrow, no sharpest
trial, could ever rob her Of this sacred
memory.
When Jessie had fallen into the
sweet, undermining slumber Of child
hood. Molly laid her gently upon her
bed, and, opening the door into the L,
ran quickly up the back stairs into the
attic. From the crossbeams overhead
hung great braided punches of sweet