Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-01-10

II thought the safest thing to do
was to take IT., Aunt Jane said. 'Mr.
Jarvis said there were three people to
see it this morning and five yesterday,
SO | was afraid to wait"
They day they moved it rained-a
cold, disheartening drizzle, that made
Sara exceedingly low spirited and
rather bitter in regard to wet feet and
spots on her rosewood piano.
There were delays i'll getting off, for
Aunt Jane had to see that everything
was securely packed, that the movers
were not intoxicated, and that the jan
itors wife did not forget to clean up
after them; so, by the time Sara's we'll
nigh distracted mother had been es-
corted to the home Of kindly neigh
Dor, and Aunt Jane had gone back for
the fourth time to tell her brother-in-
law not to forget the ice box on the
last load, Sara felt sure that the slow
est OF wagons must have reached the
new home.
The long journey over at last, her
feeble attempt at rejoicing was sud
denly checked at the sight of the van
backed up to the curb with the dining
room furniture strewn over the lawn
for companionship.
''Looks like q summer garden, ," said
Sara, trying to discover whether the
canary was drowned "Some one had
sense enough to cover the things, any
way"
A man on the seat stuck something
into box at mis- feet and poked his
head around the side.
"We can't git in, he said in kindly
explanation. There amt any key
here"
"We took some O. them things out
first, " said man who was sitting de-
iectedly on the tailboard, "and then we
couldn't git 'em back again, so we left
'em out"
"Leave the bird with me, Sara,"
said Aunt Jane rather sharply, "and
go to the Office for the key at once"
Sara started off willingly enough,
though the water was swishing and
squashing in her rubbers, and her
head ached. 1t was pleasanter to walk
than to stand still-until she remem-
bered where she was going, and then
she wished her aunt had sent one of
the men. She felt she could not go
into the Office again, and cast about
eagerly for substitute Across the
street a small boy was strolling along,
kicking out his left foot at each step
to make loose sole flap back into
place, and idly slashing at puddles
with switch as he passed. Sara
hailed him. For the inducement of a
nickel, the youth consented to walk
half block and deliver message,
and Sara, somewhat relieved, lowered
her umbrella in the shelter of
friendly drug store. By the time she
was beginning to wonder what had be-
come Of him, the boy returned, tapping
his foot with renewed energy, and.
planting himself in front of her, piped
up
"First thing, L want my nickel!"
Sara was in haste, so forbearing to re-
prove him, she paid her debt and de-
manded to know the result of the
errand.
'Fe!ler says he amt never seen me
before, and he's sorry, but soiae one
he knows is got ter come for the key"
Sara $ face flushed, and she hesitated
minute. Itwas choice between an
awkward position and no home, so
she chose the lesser evil and made her
way to the Office. Alan met her at the
door.
II trust you will pardon me,
madam" he said courteously, ''for
making you come out in the rain, but
] believe you sec that / could not think
of giving the key of any house to a
little street gamin"
"The key should have been at the
house." said Sara stiflly. ''Our furni-
ture is being ruined, so will be obliged
to You if you will give me the key as
quickly as possible"
Certainly, at once, said Alan, who
seemed to have difficulty in finding it.
''This is it, If you would like it,
madam, l will stop at the house on my
way home to see if there is anything
to be done there"
Sara wondered if she had ever told
him how much she hated to be called
madam.
"Thank you," she said coldly. eff
there is anything else father will come
for it,"
Alan opened her umbrella for her,
and, with frigid nod, she started
rapidly for home, trying to think out
some way to explain her delay to the
poor, forlorn lady awaiting her.
Sara's spirits were at low ebb, and
there was no prospect of their rising
again for many weary day. For two
weeks it rained steadily, the canary
refused to sing, the chimney smoked,
the pipes leaked, the plumbers struck,
and Sara, unable to get away from her
disturbing thoughts, "settled" with
praiseworthy diligence. She had told
herself many times before that it was
easy to forget; but now, with little else
to think of, she found it was only too