New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-19

WaSne0
be sick she would take "frst-rate care OF him.
But he never was sick. She supposed he wouid
be. sometime And old folks died.
It never occurred to Mrs. Simpson that she was
not the best kind Of daughter. or that her father
did not have the best kind Of time.
The man who drove the depot wagon always
flung out the Boston daily paper which Mr.. Little
field had bought for years. 1t was true that Zenas
~ ne were at home. always got the paper and had
the first reading OF It: but the old man had IT
nretty soon, anyway; and he always seemed to
read every inch OF IT.
, Neither Mr.. Simpson nor his wife said much to
Mr. Littleheid. Unconsciously Lyddy had In her
mind placed her father somewhat outside the pale
OF the common interests that absorbed her He
was odd: OF course. old folks didn't care about
things as they used to care. She herself was over
fifty, but that was different.
Ivddy had noticed sometimes that her father
face had kind OF wistful lonesome look as he sat
with his paper on his knee after he had read It, or
as he waited for Zenas to finish reading 1t.
Rut she never thought much about that look.
The next day he said to her that he Couldn't
help kinder wishin' she was gon to that conven-
ton. There'd be some firstrate ministers there
"'Tant no use for me to think Of it, she re-
n,ied shortly. you en- go. You amt got moth
in else to do"
But it's kinder lonesome. never havin' nobody
with ye" said Mr.. Lttlefeld. M you know I'm
what you'd call a sociable sort of man. Lyddy.
Your mother always said was real sociable
The speaker was standing at the window in the
kitchen. with his cane in his hand and his hat on
the back of his head. Lyddy did not look up from
the milkpai: she was washing 1t at the sink She
onlv said, with a careless contempt, that "old
folks always would take up queer notions"
Her father stood moment longer. He stroked
lis mustache. and he Strengthened up involuntar-
,ly as he did So Hut he was conscious that he did
not get much comfort from this csress Of the
mustache
He walked TO the end Of the kitchen. where hls
bedroom was He put his hat and his cane on the
bed He moved somewhat aimlessly about the
small room
4 large lilac grew IN front Of the one window
IN that lilac a pair ~ robins had built their nest
and the Young ones were now sitting there IN con-
slant expectation II The arrival Of one or boh
parents with worms
Mr. iiilefeld sat down In the chair by the win
low and leaned forward Ia watch the birds Pres
emily the father and mother came the mouths
gaped and swallowed
They amt lonesome" said Mr. Iitteheld
aloud. I'm real sociable man. I.yddy's mother
used Ia say so. ! amt one Of them kind that likes
TO be alone. There amt nobody nowadays that
wants me with EN-"
The f1orid. still handsome old face broke from
it's usual lines: the mouth under the mustache
began 10 tremble with sef-pity. The corded hands
resting the chair arms shut tightly.
The old man sat there for few moments. Then
he rose and knelt down by the bed. He was
obliged to guard his movements. though he was
young for his years
He always prayed night and morning. kneeling
by his bed. but he could not remember that he had
ever prayed In the daytime like this and the fact
naturally added an importance to the function in
his own eyes, and he could not help thinking that
Il would have the same effect In the eyes OF God
also.
The uncertain whisper became audible.
"Oh Lord, Thou knowcst how | am situated.
need a companion Lord. IT, in Thy wisdom.
Thou thinkest It best ! pray Thee send me n
companion. Thou knowest I have property
enough TO be real comfortable and leave Lyddy
something. too. pray Thee. Lord, think about
a companion for my declining years For Chrlsts
sake. Amen"
Just as he had said "amen" his daughter
opened the door. She shrank back. She thought
her father had gone out, and she came with n
broom In her hand
She was startled. She understood about pray
ing night and morning but 1t did not seem
necessary to address the Lord at other times
The old man was little hard of hearing
and he had not noticed the opening Of the door.
He placed his hands on the side Of the bed, and
braced himself. so that he could rise more easily
He saw Lyddy and he became confused.
why pa" she exclaimed
| She had vague thoughts Of sending for the
han
| breakfast after having prayed before breakfast
| she felt as If something ought to be done
Does your stomach seem to be out OF order
| pa ?" she asked.
stomach. no" was the response.
Mr.. Littlefield reached forward and took MS
cane from the bed. planted it firmly on the
| floor and leaned heavily on 1t. as he con-
| fronted the woman in the doorway.
Eve been addressing my Maker" he said
solemny.
At this point the old man began to waver from
| his firm attitude. - ~
Il was kinder lonesome" he said. en-
| thought I'd make bit OF prayer Zoo hear'
| prayers. you know. Lyddy
"Lonesome?" repeated Lyddy, now beginning Il
| be irritated. II don't see how you en- say tina
| when me n Zenas are rou'iu "eie q" '
time -,s.
II know you be. But somehow I'm outside
d'know how It's but be outside"
His voice was pitched In the nigh note OF ag
| as ne went on "Your mother always said was
a real sociable man. Lyddy
do you want me to set down n spend my
time talkin' with your?
| ever section and line Of this DILL ana geheraIlS
Mrs Simpson put this inquiry with some scorn
She went on: IF you do. en- tell you rye go
| nv work standin' round waitin to be done
"'Tain't that" said Mr. Littleheld' but In
| outside"
Iyddy turned away with her broom. She tool
her implement into the back porch. which sh
swept with much vgor She hadn't any patienc
with her father when ne told her he was out
side" What did he mean? Outside OF what
She had fleeing thought that she would Try I
90 with him to that convention. but she didn't Sc
how in the world she could do 1t: There was al
ways butter to make II nothing else:
Three days later, when the morning came. sn
had given I'm ali such intention, II she could b
said TO have had IT, But. as she fastened he
fathers necktie. she did say to him that she woul
go IL she want driven to death" The old fac
above her looked so pleased and grateful at thes
words that Lyddy's heart gave a curious, quic
beat Of something like pain.
pm mighty glad you thought Of it," he said
She watched him walk down the path to tax