The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-07-03

felt that this was good advice, and
waited; but the monotonous zone, two,
three" of her small piano pupils seemed
to pound upon her brain.
But her mother did not return, and
the next day Penelope set out for Or
inoco. There was no train until after
noon. On her way to the station she
stopped at the postofice to mail her
letter to Sam Mute. She had vague
feeling that it was q Precipitation of
fate, this sacrifice which was so hard.
Without it her mother would not be
returned to her. Before she could slip
the letter into the box the postmistress
handed her one, addressed in the
loose, wavering hand that had been
her mothers since her illness, and she
went directly out with it.
Penelope sat down upon the grass
by the wayside and opened it, her
heart leaping at the dear, familiar
words.
Ny DEAR DAUGHTER: I want you to send
me my best bonnet, right off. And you
might send, too, your little lace cap that
you think is so becoming to me. They
want me to stay to the county conference,
and as there are things about it that seem
kind of proyidential, as you might say, I
don't know but shall. And Lizzie is real
stylish, you know. I'm wearing one of her
hats, and they say it isn't mite too young
for ma.
forgot that you don't know how came
here, but suppose you must have kind OF
guessed by this time. I went across tho
field to the railroad track thinking to pick
a few blackberries. My head flew round,
but kept right on, for never was one to
give up easy. went to climb over the
| empty passenger-cars that are most always
there in the daytime, and l sat down to
rest: and guess must have fallen asleep,
for first thing knew there was a jerk, and
the train was moving.
and the noise it made was in my head: but
when the stone walls began to slip along
backward knew what had happened.
/ got up to 90 inside, but the door was
locked, and nobody saw or heard me till
the conductor came along and unlocked
the door. l told him I must be put off, but
he said they couldn't, for they were behind
time. He was saucy, anyhow; when I said
I couldn't go to Orinoco-which was the
first stopping place-he said, as cool as
could be, MADAM, what will you do? And
when said should die before got there,
he said, as polite as basket Of chips, "In
that case, madam, will see that your re.
mains are sent to your friendS!"
He gave me comfortable seat-I'll say
that for him-and there sat in Selina's
old haying hat with the tears trickling
down my cheeks and him and two brake
men staring at me. When got off at
Orinoco I was trembling in every limb, for
I hadn't any money. Icouldn't bear to ask
any questions after the blood-curdling way
that that conductor answered me. But I
declare, don't know but it kept me up to
be so mad as he made me!
While was standing on the platform OF
the OrinOco station, wondering what I
should do, who should come driving up but
Sam and Lizzie Mute! You know I've had
kind of feeling against Nutes, but didn't
think OF 1t then. l never was so glad to
see any folks in all my born days, and I
said SO right out. They took me right
hor1e with them, and here am.
Itseems queer that I should have been
carried off so to the county conference,
that never expected to go to again. The
Rev. Orsino Cheney is stopping here at
Deacon Nute's to attend the conference.
Your Aunt Selma will know who he is. He
used to kind of keep company with me
when was girl. They say he has come
home for wife, and Lizzie keeps teasing
me; but, of course, thatjs 'idiculous. NOT
but what should faal -tupor1ng I'D
the Lords vineyard VII, He was
pleased to call me, after whatva ,sood yes
terday.
That makes me think that I don't know
as you've treated Sam Mute just right.
Maybe you've thought too much Of that old
difficulty between the two families. Folks
ought not to treasure up such things. If I
should have to leave you-and the most
unexpected things do happen in this world
Il should like to think that left you with
such protector as Sam Mute would be.
Your LOVING MOTHER.
PS-Before you send the bonnet you
might get two little sprigs of those blue
flowers that you thought we're so becoming
to me and let the milliner pin them in.
Penelope laughed little and cried
little, sitting by herself on the grass
beside the road. Then she tore the
long, hateful letter to Sam all into lit
tie bits and tossed them into the air;
and the winds of heaven swooped
down upon them and bore them afar.
Youths Companion.