Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-08-24


happened tc be passing this way, and
see what his relations would do about
giving him home"
AT these words Mrs. Philo Welland
emerged from the currant bushes,
where she was picking the sparkling,
ruby colored fruit to make jelly. For
Mrs. Philo believed in always picking
her neighbors fruit before she began
on her own.
"a home, indeed I" said Mrs. Philo
"It's what [ always told you, Philo
Says ], that man'll be sure to come
back some day poorer than poverty,
says 1. And he'll expect us to take
care of him, then. But we've worked
deal too hard for our money-me
and Philo-and if he wants to be sup
ported, let him just go to the poor
house. Paul Welland always was q
rovin' creetur, and Rolf amt no bet
ter, Pll so BALL"
Mr.. Philo Welland screwed up his
face into an expression of the utmost
caution.
"P'rhaps you're his lawyer, sir ?"
said he.
Mr.. Carey nodded.
81 act for him." said he.
"Ihen tell him." said Philo, sue.
cintly, that if he expects we're going
to support him. he's con-sid-a-bly mis-
took! We've always took care of our
selves; he can do the samel Come,
Betsey, we'd better be goin'l !"
"PhiIo !" cried out Desire, show
can you be SO selfish? Rolf Welland
is our cousin. If he is in want or
trouble, whom has he to look to but
us? Malvina, you won't be so hard
hearted? The old farm house is big
enough for our Cousin Rolf as we'll as
for us. You never would turn sick.
ly old man adrift upon the world?"
"No, l wouldn't" said Miss Nal.
yina, humping her hoe upon the
ground. "Look here, stranger, tell
Rolf Welland he's welcome to home
with us. We live plain, but we're
ready to give him hearty welcome.
Tell him to come here at once. The
sooner the better.
"Women is FOOLS" incidentally re-
marked Philo Welland, chewing a
stalk of currant leaves. eff you lost
what little you've got, do you s'pose
this relative, O. yourn would raise a
finger to help you? Let every man
take care of himself, says J."
"And who knows" cried Desire,
brightly. perhaps we can get him
the district school to teach? I heard
Squire Loames say that the new
teacher wasn't going to stay more than
a quarter longer"
"T'm glad you can afford to take
rec boarder," said Mrs. Philo, acidly.
"Me and your brother-we can't!"
"Do come in, now, and get the cof.
fee" said Desire. "And few late
strawberries, Mr.. Mr."
"Carey is my name" said the
stranger, who had stood immoyable
beneath the fiery hail of this converse
tional episode. "That is to say, it il
my name now. I changed it to make
myself useful to rich old gentleman
in the East, who took fancy to me
and left me his property in his will.
The only condition appended was that
| should take his name in addition tc
my own. And Carey isn't q bad
name"
"Certainly it amt, said Philo, with
watering eyes. 'I only wish we had
a few of that sort of old gentlemen
out this way. I'd change my name
half dozen times day if it would
be any accommodation to 'em. So
you're rich, Ell? kBetsey"-to his
wlfe--'if this gentleman would be so
kind as to come and take dinner with
US to-day"
"No," said the stranger, in clear
decisive voice. "Will you be SO kline
as to hear me out? Carey, rs 1 have
already told you, is only my adopted
name. My real name is Ralph Wei
land"
"What?" roared Philo.
Mrs. Philo scrambled SO hastily tc
her feet that she upset the pail, hal
full of currents. Miss Malvina dropped
her hoe; and Desire, who had just
brought out little saucer of late
luscious, red strawberries, stood
amazed at this revelation.
"Youl" she cried. "our Cousin
Rolf? And 1 nearly hit you with the
stick chasing the COW and half startled
you out of your SENSES"
"And taught me, said the old bach
elor, with strangely-sweet smile
that there is yet left a spice of un
selfishness in the conglomerate called
human nature. Cousin Desire, thanl
you for the lesson. Believe me,
shall not soon forget it,
And before the day was over he hat
helped Miss Malvina finish her patel
of sweet corn and mended the defec
tive fence rails where the offending
COW had broken through, beside
stalking up the sweet-williams ant
mailing the big rose tree to the frame
from whence its oyer.blossomiDl
weight had dragged it.