Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-05-16

Good land Who's been writin to
me? l hahn had letter l cant tell the
time hen. I'm Almost afraid to open it,
Dannel. Mebbe it's got bad news
Bad newsl Who from, I'd like to
know? You re alwuz expectin somethin'
gloomy"
WAL, there's good deal that
gloomy ii this world. You know that 5
well as I DO.
YES, Hannah, n there's a good deal
that amt too He seldom spoke wit h
so much yigor and decision when differ
ing with his sister.
You'd better open il n read il to me.
l don't feel as eff could, somehow.
Daniel Marstin sat down in the old
rocker by the west window. 1t was early
August and almost sunset. Beautiful
shafts o red light threw themselves over
his thin. small figure and his head, Wit h
It's scanty gray hair.
He tore open the envelope with his
finger, but the letter would not come out
I'm afraid | shall tear ii all to pieces,
Hannah"
Wal, let me take it, III try n see
what I can do. I'm dreadful afraid some
body's dead. "
Il pose somebody Is someW here said
Daniel, with quick, shortliyed twinkle
lightning up his pale blue eyes.
Good land Who do you think wants
to come n see US, Dannel?"
Cousin Angienette9" said Daniel in
low, timid interrogatiye.
Now, how come you to be thinkin O.
herr asked his sister, with considerable
asperity of manner. You amt been
resdin' right through the letter, like
some o. them folks up in the city the
papers tell about, have you?''
II came across little picter yesterday
in the green chlst up in the garnet that
afore she got married. guess she was
kind O. in my mind. She used to be the
chipperest girl t ever see in my life, n
she had such pretty curly hair
- Twas red, said Hannah.
WAL, 'tWan't real red, kind o pink
Were too old to be clipper nov, any
of US. don't see how l can have her, no
way, Dannel. We amt seen her ri, ten
year.
Wouldn't she kind O. liven US up?"
asked Daniel timidly. I'VE don't see
many folks, you know"
Nv aal, et you're tired o havin' your
pore old sister round, pose l can write
n have stranger come n take my place. -
Hannah's voice trembled, and her eye
enough to trickle slowly down her cheek
like slender rill which has no great
source behind ii.
II guess l wouldn't think anything
about it then-perhaps she might make
you some work. | didn't know but she
could help along with the quiltin'. She
used to be master hand at SEWN.
could tackle up n 60 to the deepo for her
az we'll as not, now I'm through with the
haydn
You Il have to write he letter, Danne!.
! don't seem to feel ike it, my stomach's
20 weak. ! spose l shall be sorry had
her come; / don't want her meddlin with
NY cookin
That day week the three cousins We're
the kitchen. Il "a, a mere box OF a room
and had a musty odor, ii was so seldom
opened. Two large, old NAPLES shaded
the windows and grew so near that they
seemed like grim sentinels forbidding the
entrance of heavens light and breath.
Il don't sees you look much older n
you did ten or fifteen years ago, An
= NO ,i..I he
leg over the other, and tried TO make
himself stationary in the slippery horse
hair chair, with its hard, unyielding seat.
''Waal, don't knows | feel old. I've
got good health n seven nice children,
There amt nothin they don't try to do
for me since their poor father died. But
I'm fifty-fve next month, That's older'n
you. Hannah by three years
81 haint never he'd sech health as you We
he'd, :, said Hannah as she left the low
chair and took a seat in one the back of
which was tall and straight and stiff.
Her figure was 1.-THE and firm, and her
complexion, though colorless, had the
hue of health.
"Why, you never was sick but once,
Hannah" said her brother, ''n that was
more'n twenty year ago.
''Well, amt been real sick, but don't
seem to feel so strong as l was. git
dreadful tired washin' n ironin' the same
day."
Il shd think you would" said her
cousin. "What makes you do it,"
"Good land! | always did. You don't
-
do you, for jest Dannel n me N Hiram?
] want to set down Tuesdays. Pm piecin