The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1897-01-29
THE SILVER HOOK.
[Copyright, 1895. by the Author.l
y MARTHA M'CULLooH WILLIAMS.

roared grandfather, adding to himself:
"She must be made to hear reason. It
is an outrage that I, in my age, am
thus flouted Of chance to earn money
which heaven itself has decreed me-"
Marty was full of surprises. She ask
cd them for nothing, but soon there
came day when her children looked to
her for bread, and she had none to give
them. She had tried hard to find work.
But what could woman do there, where
there were men ready to mend nets, even?
Besides all the village looked askance at
her as, in a sort, an outlander. She could
sew like queens tirewoman. But
what need or use had fishwives for
stitches so fine you could but just see
them? And, though she was the best
nurse in the village, none would pay
her to tend their sick. For one thing
they held it ed favagance, and, for an
other, they said there was something
uncanny about her-who knew what
witch broth she might not brew for
those in her care?
A farmers wife living just beyond
the village had given her pumpkin
for days work. and Granny Dress, the
blind woman, had come hobblipg upon
her stick to fetch the half loaf of rye
bread she had saved from her weeks
supply. The children had eaten the
bread. The pumpkin was still untouch-
ed, because poor Marty had no fire over
which to cook it. But no thought Of
turning to her husbands brothers came
into her mind. "a way will be OPEN
ed" she said TO herself as she looked at
her little flock, eager and hungry, but
full Of trust in her. Then she drew
them about her, knelt and prayed, hold
ing baby Trixy close against her heart.
Somehow 1T grew strangely warm and
light as she knelt, and when she had
risen she walked in full faith to the
empty cupboard, opened and looked
within.
1t was still almost empty, but at the
farther edge she saw little loaf, hard
and dry. As she took it up and kissed
it it swelled in her hand, became soft
and fresh and gave out an agreeable
fragrance.
"Oh, but that smells goodr' young
Ned said, licking his lips
1T is good" chorused Nelis, Gretch-
en- and Aida, who had each got slice
and were munching it for life.
"Dood! Dood!' said Trixy in her
baby speech, holding out her hand
Marty laid soft morsel within it and
cut bigger bit for young Ned. Then
she saw with unfeigned delight that the
loaf was bigger than when she began.
Before she herself tasted it she gave
each of her children another piece.
ooh, mother, lookl SeeP' Ned cried,
holding up his second slice.
"What is it9" asked Marty, her heart
beating fast. She knew this must be
fairy loaf, for back in her girlish days
her grandmother had made her wise in
the ways of the good people. Now that
they had come to her help she meant to
do all she might to deserve it.
Here's hook in my bread-a silver
hook. Hurrah! That means I'm to be
fisherman, like our father, and take
care Of you and the rest,'' Ned cried,
finging his arms about his mothers
neck. Marty took what Ned had found
and looked it carefully over. 1t was
sharp hook and strong, with keen
barb, so curved no fish could possibly
wriggle off it. She turned it from side
to side. admiring it, her heart thrilling
with Joy, when suddenly it faded out Of
sight. There was nothing within her
palm.
"Oh, what have / done? Oh, what
shall we do?" she cried in great dis
tress. Gretchen plucked her gown,
while thn others ioiued I'm tho u1o,l;rc
II want another piece, please" the lit
tie girl said.
"You shall be fed before we starye.
dear" Marty said, giving her gener-'
GUS slice. Gretchen broke it, and there
was the fairy hook safe in the middle
OF it. Then be sure the wailing changed
to laughing, and they all embraced one
another in the JOY of its recovery. But
by and by they were startled to find il
vanish again. OF course they instantly
cut more slices from the fairy loaf, but
found no trace of it. Marty was almost
in despair when Ned gave joyous
shout.
Il have found-hero by the door--and
pointing out-th;at means L am to 20
and fish with it at once"
II think So" said Marty, smiling
again. Even as she looked the hook
melted out Of sight, then suddenly
grew visible again.
"Hurrahl know what that means.
! shall not need bait for it," young Ned
shouted, snatching it and hiding it in
his coat as no ran away. Marty sent
prayer after him, then turned to her