Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-06-11

w h'NN llNCN since we were married,
and where our children were'-
NOW, wait n minute, mother Just
let me tell you about it before YOU
make so many objections, and in the
end Ill warrant you'll say I'm right.
a Boston man has bought the Carlton
iarm, and is going to raise small fruit
Tor the city market. He wants our
little patch because it kinder cuts n
corner out of the big farm. He offers
S2OU0, cash down, and we are to give
possession i'll the middle of April. I'll
tell you what, wife, chance to sell
Tor cash doesn't come along every
day II we can only gel some land out
West, our fortunes made"
John, dear, she said remember
that we are getting to be old people
now, and it would be pretty hard to
leave tine associations of lifetime. If
we were young and able to endure the
hardshlps of new country, Iwou.dn' t
say IA word, but
"Look here, mother listen to reason,
can't you? We are going out there to
get rid of hnrdships, not to endure
more. Here we are, living on this
stone patch, barely making II living
taking the doctors bill, what is due
on frank $ monument, and the rest of
the debts together, We owe over 5000
How can we pay it here? Now, out
IN Dakota there are plenty of farms
to be had for the asking, almost, and
why shouldn't we have the benefit of
one as well ns other people? And
then, there's Lizzie" he went on
hastily, seeing that his wife was about
to spenk. "What splendid chance
thered be for her to teach school!
I've heard say that teachers are scarce
and wages high. And she's so pretty,
and cute and smart, l shouldn't won
der if she'd have a chnLce to do well
IN other ways-marry n rich man us
like as not"
John Barton" said his wife, indig-
nantly, 81 believe this foolish notion
has turned your head completely.
You know well enough that Lizzie is
promised to Will Chester, and it would
just break her heart if anything should
come between them"
"Well, " grumbled Mr.. Barton, 81
believe they do try to make out that
there $ some ouch nonsense going on,
but | never took much stock in it. |
haven't anything in particular against
"llI, but he amt worth any property,
ana ! don't believe he ever will be.
AS to Its breaking Lizzie's heart to
give HIM up, that's nothing but non
! sense.
"Now, father" spoke Mrs. Barton
with some spirit, ''it isn't right for
you to talk that way. Will is a GOOD
young man, and he loves Lizzie better
than his own life. You know that;
you haven't forgotten how he saved
her life when the town hall burned
down. He will always be kind and
that's more than money, according to
my way of thinking. He's smart and
strong, and not afraid of work. I'd
rather trust my girl with him than
with why, here she comes nowl And
1t almost supper time, declare T.
Inc good dame hustled away to the
Sltchen, hoping that when her hus-
DHn't nat slept over the matter he
would he OF different way of think
ing, and give up II project the mere
thought of which gave her SO much
pain.
Her hope was in vain. The Western
fever had t..ken firm hold of Mr.
Barton, and matters were pushed with
his usual energy. Acquaintance in
Dakota helped him to obtain tract
of Government land. and the next
spring found the family established in
a rude shanty ON the boundless prairie.
Mrs. Barton was wise woman, who
always made the best of everything;
and though it was with sinking heart
that she at first saw their new home,
she was outwardly cheerful, and ut
tered not word of complaint.
Pretty Lizzie had not ielt so unhap-
py about their removal as her mother,
for her lover had promised to soon
follow her, and they parted with many