Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-06-06
uTs. GgleW's Cherry Pie.


jlumy boughed butternut trees that
drooped over the sloping roof OF the
cottage; the roses were blossoming,
End Mrs. Agnew sat sewing on the
step, with the Maltese cat asleep on
her dress. What picture of home
and peace and content it presented
to Roger Blake as, footsore and wea-
ried, he paused in the hot sunshine
and lifted the wicket timidly.
Aunt Clorin saw him-she was a
veritable feminine Argus-and she
came to the side kitchen door, way
ing towel defiantly.
'Boy, go away" she cried, shrilly.
"What do you want, boy?" said
Mrs. Agnew's softer voice. Some
how rs tones treasured Roger, and
he advanced.
81 want work, ma'am," he said,
wistfplly. Pm tired and L m hun
cry"
"a likely storyv' said Aunt Clo-
rim.
"What is your name?" said Mrs.
Agnew, softly; she had brother OF
her own in the far West about this
wanderers age.
Roger Blake, ma'am."
what can you do?"
Anything, ma am-from tending
COWS or splitting " God down to wash
ing dishes or scrubbng floors"
Mrs. Agnew hesitated. Her last
help" had gone off in q rage because
her week did not include two Sun
days out. This seemed sort OF in
deposition of Providence.
s"WHut DO you say, Aunt Clorin p"
she asked. LIES ss s.IM
I'll say nynsense!' answered Aunt
Clorin CURLY.
'It's worth the trial." said Mrs.
Agnew. Come in, Roger; we'll
keep you this night. at least, and il
you do we'll, why, perhaps we may
make home for you"
Roger did more than 'well; :" he
worked with will which astonished
even Aunt Clorin.
''But for all that, han t no faith
in him, said sLe. wagging her wise
old head. II never took in none O.
those charity chaps but what / was
sorry for it afterwards. Hezekiah
Dean ran away to sea, and took your
uncle's best gold sleeve buttons with
him, and Mary Ann Gibbs pawned
my spoons, and"
Nonsense !" said Mrs Agnew
brightly. ANY one could tell by a
look in Rogers face that the spoons
in this family are quite safe"
-.
Smelling peas that very afternoon,
when Mrs. Agnew came to the door
with little forlorn chicken in her
hands, whom the hard hearted hen
mother had resolutel refused to own
"a downy morsel Of vitality, which
Mrs. Agnew was resolved to bring
up by hand 1" AS she stood there
the light flashed radiantly from q
many faceted diamond ring that she
wore. .s~..sec5 5g-.s-7..:s --xa~
~nOh, ma am ~ cried Roger, that
looks like sunshine shut up! How
it does sparkle! 1t must be worth q
heap OF money!,
Eyes" said Mrs. Agnew; leach
one OF these stones is worth $50"
That's great DEAL ma am" said
Roger soberly. II wish / had $50. "
why, what would you do with it?"
"My little sister; she's in the
poorhouse; and If | could get re-
spectacle home for her"
You never told me about your
sister before"
Because 1t was no use complain
ing. ma'am. Do you think these
will be quite peas enough, Mrs. Ag
new?'
PLENTY, Roger; but I'll tell you
what you may do. Go up the cherry
tree; and get me some Of the finest
black-hearts you can find. Mr.. Ag.
new is coming home tomorrow and
he is fond Of cherry pie"
''I'll do that, mas am, and glad o.
the chance" said Roger, with eyes
Frightening.
Mrs. Agnew thought of the littl,
sister in the poorbouse when sh,
took of her diamond ring that nigh
and hung it over a big headed pin oil
the pin cushion"
III speak to Mr.. Agnew abou
it." she thought. lone might hav,
a smart little girl quite useful abou
the place"
Roger drove of to the railway sta.
ton the next morning. bright an,
early, to meet Mr.. Agnew; and Mrs
Agnew, what between the making o
cherry tarts and the arranging O
white and red rosebuds in vases, wa
as busy as dozen Iris all at once
Her cheeks were AS eel as Glow
pinks at last, and she came into tn
cold sitting room, where Aunt Clor
linda was darning stockings, tying
ruffled white apron around her trim
little waist.
Nov I've just five minutes +
rest in, said Mrs. Agnew.
AS she spoke she looked down, a
it CHANGED. on her forefnger, wher
the diamond ring sparkled, and, q
her bewilderment, ono OF the fiv
shining stones was gone.
whats the matter2" asked Aun
Clorin.