The Monitor-register., 1897-02-12

lain, DIS ne puueu cloud OF smoke to
the ceiling. 'It amt further than He
can reach, I jedge; but it's mighty
slim chance that He will see fit to do it,
"'Twouldn't do no harm, even if it
didn't do no good, to ask Him." suggest
ed Tidy, with large degree of timidity
"All right, Tidy; you might call the
attention of the Lord to the dreadful
scrape we are in before you go to sleep
tonight. The devil will certainly help
old Badger to get the farm, for he's had
one eye on it for good while; aud posi-.
oily the Lord might be induced to help US
to keep it. l guess you'd better try,
anyhow. amt worrying about nv
SELF" persisted Ephraim, rather dogged-
ly.
Il am, though" said Tidy, very ten
derly, as she stood at the window wiping
dish.
mo, you and me kin get along some-
how" and there was great sob in his
voice. eve hain't much further to 60.
and it don't take great deal to feed and
elothe an old couple like us.'
There, Ephraim, you just stop talkn',
for can't stand it; and I hain't no call
to stand it, and l won'G." Tidy, over.
come by this outburst, sat down in a
chair and rocked back and forth with
tremendous Vigor, all the while using a
corner of her check apron to wipe away
the gathering tears.
Il should like to know v ho there is to
care for, if 'tain't you and me-" she
broke forth ith considerable vehemence,
and turning red in the face. "Mary
Jane is the only child we've got, and
she's goin' to be married to Silas Hawk
ins. That settles her comfortably, and
there's only you and me left"
married ?" and Ephraim knocked the
ashes out of his pipe. He looked at
Tildy wondering whether she took in the
full details Of the situation.
eyes, Ephrsim, married. Have you
lost your memory? Has misfortune
broke you all up?"
mo, hain't lost my grip yet, Tidy,
but how in the world are them two to be
married on nothin'? /? That's what want
to know. Silas amt got no money, not
cent. They was to live with US, wasn't
they, right here on the farm, and run it
on shares? | was to take things easy,
and tend to my rheumatism, and you was
TO do little or nothin', just as you see fit.
But if there ain'6 no farm to run. if
Badger takes the hull concern away from
US, what becomes of Mary Jane, and
what becomes of Silas, and what becomes
Of the lot of US That's what I'm askin'
ye. Tell you what tits, Tidy, the old
plow has struck stun. You may not
see it, but [ do. Things is about as
muddied as they could be, and 1 don't
see how they can be much worse.'
Tildy was lost in brown study. The
tears tr!okled down her cheeks, and she
looked first at her husband and then out
Of the window at the COWS just gathered
at the barn gate. The wide extent of the
trouble seemed to come upon her sudden
ly, and she hadn't word TO say.
"What you thipkin' about, Tidy P"
asked Ephraim, at length, not knowing
what else to say and feeling the necessity
of saying something.
"Thinkin' ?'' and Tidy repeated the
word second time; ";biDkin', Eph-
rain ?1
"Yes; what you thinkin' about?"
"Well, somehow the idea of Uncle
Josh come into my head, don't know
why"
"Rum" groaued EyhrAim, ''the old
miserr'
AN was sayin' to myself that if we
had the money he bid away, and which
wasn't no coed to him or any body else,
we"
Ephraim grew excited. 'Yes," he
said, bitterly, "he lived on US for twenty
years, and We was no better'n slaves
sort of farm hands, nothin' more. 1t
didn't cost him anything to live, for he
half starved himself aud the rest of us,
too; aud when he died he must have had
whole lot of money stowe1 away some-
where But where is if? You don't
kaow, and don't know, and nobody
don't know; SO that won't do US any
good. If only had that wouldn't snap
my fingers in old Badgers facep
When the supper was over a family
council was held. The facts were faced
as bravely as might be; but it must be
admitted that the prospect was gloomy.
Mary Jane was almost broken hearted,
and Silas was speechless.
'Pd got everything ready" she said,
in piteous tones; land now it's to be
given up. What will Marthy jerks say
when she hears this dreadful story? l
guess she'll jast laugh at me, that's all :.
She and me was to be married the same
week; but now Oh, dear! it's simply
horrid! hate old Badger! He hain't
no right to this farm. It's nothin' but
highway robbery, and that's the truth.
I'd like to tell him so to his face"
''We must make the best of it," mildly
suggested Tidy.
There amt no best to make anything
out Of" was the retort of the young
woman. "I5's all worst, so far as can
see."
Silas stole out to the barn and sat down
on milking stool to think the matter
over.
Mary Jane followed in few minutes.
81 say, Silas," she began.
"Yes, Mary Jane," was the only 1e-
spouse.
care you goin' to give me up, Silas2 1
should think you would. You have a
right to, anyway. 'Taint my fault that
this thing has come, but can't expect
you to spile your life for me. Pm nothin'
but beggar now. Father says, when
Badger has finished, there WON'T be a
cent left"
"Giye you up, Mary Jane ?' and Silas
opened his eyes in wonder.
"Yes;" and, poor child, she fairly
sobbed as she SAID it. "TLeTe is lots of
girls you can have, and lots of chances
to marry rich. You needn't think Pm
going to hold you to your word; for
won't do nothing of the kind. We can't
be married, that's certain; and l wouldn't
drag yoa down for the whole world,
Slas. You'll get oyer this in little
while, and-and-"
sAnd what, Mary Jane?"