The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-05-06

ESEXxSl knowledge OF it
AkInsSs.ssA from you as long as
can, hoping against hope that some
thing might be lonesome way found
out of the trouble. 1t would be cruel
to let it come on you all Of sudden,
with the notice to quit the home. To
quit the home Think OF it, Maria
the home that has sheltered me all my
life. and you, since You came to me, n
happy and trusting bride, twenty-five
years ago."
"Oh, James, can nothing be done?
"No, dear; have paid the interest
until it has eaten up ali my ready
money 1t would be better to take
this money and live on it as best We
Can than to go on with the ruiuous
policy of paying interest on mortga-
ges"
"But to think, my husband. that
you must lose the home of your child
hoodl Every part OF it is dear to
you, l know"
She took his hand within her own
and tried to comfort him as much as
her overfowing heart would permit.
He raised his head suddenly, light
coming into his eyes behind the tears
'1n tho kitchen, James. She
just would go TO see about the
potato pudding for your dinner. She
thinks no one can make it for you
like herself"
"And no one canl" declared the
father proudly. ooh, Maria, the
knowledge OF the dread news he had
to tell breaking upon him with re-
newed force-"this thing will kill
her."
"No, James she will take ii better
than either of us. for there is a
strength in her young heart that our
old ones do not know"
"And where is Alice. ?"
"She went to spend the day with
Sarah Marston. The longer you de-
lay telling her, James, the better it
will be. She will have only the less
, time, then, in which to make you
miserable"
The father sighed. What q differ
ence there was between his two
daughters!
ooh, father, have you come at last ?"
cried delighted voice at that mo.
ment. 81 was afraid you were gong
to wait until the pudding was cold.
Then it would be spoiled
"Come to father, dame, and let the
pudding wait, awhile at least. 1 have
something to say to YOU"
She came, and, despite her 49,
years, perched herself upon his knee,
and, throwing her arms around his
neck, placed her check against his,
rubbing it back and forth softly.
"Sing one of your kitten songs to
father, Damie," he said, closing his
eyes. He would put of telling the
bad news q little longer.
She cuddled down against him, put
her mouth to his ear and began to
sing. No one else could have heard
it. No one else did she wish to hear
it. 1t was for him alone-a love song
all his own-a song like the gentle
purr of kitten, comforting, soothing.
yet q complete little song within itself,
and its words nestled down in her
fathers heart, each as a tiny song.
bird, making music of its own.
1t was this loving, cuddling, kitten.
ish way she had that had gained for
her the pet name by which not only
her father, but others called her
"Little Dame Purraway." Her real
name was Azalea. called for the flower
that crowns with such glory the gar
dens of her native State.
1t seemed indeed cruel thrust to
follow that purriIg heart-song of love
and content with such dreadful news.
30, father, must you really give up
your home?"
Her one thought was for him.
eyes, Dame Purraway."
He could say no more for the tears
that were ready to come.
"But it is not 30 dreadful since We
can all 60 away together" she said,
comfortingly. "Yes, we will be to.
gether, father; only think of that,
and surely We can find some place to
call home. If it is only n cabin, and
you were there, father, it will be home
to me-"
Then she snuggled still closer
against his heaving heart and purred
another love song in his ear. As they
we're sitting down to the table Mrs.
Edgerton said suddenly: "Wby,
where is Professor PuckaDer?"
80, the dear old professor" said
the Dame, starting up from her seat.
~ know he is buried in stones and
bones and roots and such things ut
this very moment, and not thinking q
thing'of his dinner. Why, he would.
mt know il he hadn't any oil day long
I must run and wake him up."
4 ha 81