Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-11-24

ing to be charge to others now. Oh,
IL she could only die in her own house
and not suffer the pain of homeless
ness and dependence!
1t was just at sunset, and as she
looked out hopelessly across the gray
fields. there was a sudden CLEAN Of
light far away on the low hills beyond,
the clouds opened in the west and let
the sunshine through. One lovely
CLEAN shot swift as an arrow and
frightened a far cold hillside where it
fell and at the same moment sudden
CLEAN OF hope frightened the winter
landscape of her heart.
There was Johnny Harris" said
Mary Ann. softly. HE was a soldiers
son, left an orphan and distressed. Old
John Mander scoded, but l couldn't see
the poor boy want. | KEEP him that
year after he got hurt, spite O what
anybody said. an he helped me what
little he could He said was the only
mother he'd ever had. I'm goin' out
West, Mother Robb.' says he. I shan't
come back till l get rich an then he'd
look at me an laugh, so pleasant an
boyish. He want one that liked to
write. | don't think he was doin' very
well when / heard-there, it's years
ago now. / always thought If he got
sick or anything. should have good
home for him. There was Ezra Blake,
the deaf one, too-he won't have any
place to come to-"
The light faded out Of doors, and
again Mrs. Robbs troubles stood before
her. Yet it was not so dark as il had
been in her sad heart. She still sat
by the window, hoping now, in spite of
herself, instead of fearing; and Curl
GUS feeling of nearness and expectancy
| made her feel not so much light-heart-
ed as light-headed.
Il feel just as if somethin' was goin'
to happen she said. Poor Johnny
Harris, perhaps he's thinkin' O. me, If
he's alive
1t was dark now out of doors, and
| there were tiny clicks against the win
dow 1t was beginning to snow, and
the great elms creaked in the rising
wind overhead.
A dead limb Of one of the old trees
had fallen that autumn, and poor fire.
wood as ii had been, il was Mrs. Robb's
own. and she had burnt it most thank
! fully. There was only a small armful
| left, but at least she could have the
luxury of a fire. She had feeling
that it was her last night at home, and
with strange recklessness she began to
! fill the stove as she used to do in better
| days.
'Fl get me good an warm" she
said still talking to herself, as lonely
/ people do, AN III go to bed early. It's
comm on to storm" The snow
clicked faster and faster against the
window, and she sat alone thinking
in the dark.
There's lots o. folks l love-" she
said once. They'd be sorry amt got
nobody to come an no supper the night
afore Thanksgivin'. I'm dreadful glad
| they don't know" And she drew lit
| tie nearer to the fire, and laid her head
back drowsily in the old rocking-chair.
1t seemed only moment before there
was loud knocking, and somebody
lifted the latch OF the door. The fire
shone bright through the front of the
old stove and made little light in
the room, but Mary Ann Robb walked
up frightened and bewildered.
who's there?" she called, as she
found her crutch and went to the door.
She was conscious of only her one
ssrNhau'ua To taE mo
to the poorhouse" she said, and burst
into tears
There was tall man, not John Man
der, who seemed to fill the narrow door
way.
Come, let me in!' he said gayly. Its
q cold night. You didn't expect me,
| did you. Mother Robb?"
Dear me! What Is it," she faltered
stepping back as he came in and drop
ping her crutch. BE dreamin'? l
was a-dreamin about oh there!
What was a-sayin'? 'Tain't true, No,
I've made some kind of a mistake"
Yes. this was the man who kept the
poorhouse, and she would go without
complaint; they might have given her
notice, hut she must not fret
"Sit down, sir" she said, turning sto-
ward him with touching patience.
You'll have to give me little time.
If I'd been notified / wouldn't have
kept you waiting a minute this cold
night" 1t was not the keeper. The
man by the door took one step forward
and put his arm round her and kissed
her.
What are you talkin' about?" said
John Harris. "You amt goin' to make
| me feel like a stranger. I've come all
the way from Dakota to spend Thanks
giyin'. There's all sorts o. things out
here in the wagon, an man to help
| get 'em In. Why-don't you cry so.
Mother Robb. thought you'd have a
great laugh II l come an surprised you.
Don't You remember l said / should?"
II was John Harris indeed. The poor