The Van Buren press., 1898-04-30

lHlO the bargain. / never could Slt sui
and let somebody else do the work
You'll find that out"
"But we won't let you do anything
unless you want to, Aunt Leafy."
'All right; we'll leave it just that
way. But | was goin' to say: OF all
the unlucky men you ever seed, Ciliab
beat ALL Why, everything went wrong
Holes would come in his barn floor,
an the horses an cattle would fall
through an break their legs, so that
he had to kill 'em to put EN- out of their
misery. | used to think it would be
cheaper to fix up the holes, beforehand;
but, someway, it seemed easier for him
to DO * afterward. An his crops didn't
amount to anything; he ran in debt
to hire help to tend EN-, too. | should
have thought it would have paid bet
ter to do some work himself; but, don't
you know, some men think a job of set
tin round at the grocery store pays
better than anything else. 'Twouldn't
pay me, but it seemed SO to Ciiab. SO,
first he knew the money | let him
have was all gone-every cent of it.
Seems as if most men would have seen
by that time that he would have to turn
over a new leaf, but Ciliab didn't; he
just KEEP right on too. | tried to do
what | could; but | begun to have
spells, when | would all smother like;
couldn't seem to git breath. An one
ri Il
l don't know but you'd be better off
out to the county farm. It's a good
place for old folks. You'd have plenty
to eat, and nothin' to do The county
farm, SEE |, just like that. For the
land sake, Ciliab, what be you thinllin'
of? No one of my kin ever came to that;
an | amt a-goin' to be the first It
just took my breath away. But / see
that Ciliab's wife was at the bottom OF
ii, and | didn't know what in the
world to do. An old woman like me
at the county farm! I couldn't bear
the thought of it; but l thought an
thought about it, an laid awake nights
over it, till finally I made up my mind
I'd go if the Lord wanted me to. May
be could do some little work out there;
wash dishes, maybe, or sweep the floor.
| can't set still; | should die if do.
But l wanted to stop an see John be-
fore | went; an l won't deny that I
wanted TO see Johns wife. too"
The old lady put her hand out to lay
IL upon Molly's arm.
after that, I'm ready to go on, if the
Lord wills"
Something came over Molly's face,
which gave it a very determined look.
you shall stay with us until you
are well rested, Aunt Leafy. You've
had hard time of it in this world
haven't you?"
"Oh, no. The world has used me bet
ter than I've used the world. But it
does seem good to set down here and
rest"
Molly put away her paper and pen.
The letter she had begun to write was
not finished that day, nor the next.
Still, something restful came into her
life to pay for her self-sacrifce. IT was
a comfort to have this bright old lady
with her; she was so cheerful and so
helpful for one of her age. Many a
weary hour passed swiftly away chat
ting with Aunt Leafy.
For long time she said nothing
about continuing her journey to the
county farm. There was thorough I'M
Outstanding between John and Molly
on that point, however; and neither,
by word or deed, did they refer to the
subject. Some way, the roses came
back to Molly's cheeks. Was it that
Aunt Leafy saved her so many steps, or
because her simple presence had called
her thoughts into other channels?
Bright and early one morning Aunt
Leafy was up and dressed. When the
work was all done she went into the
room she had occupied, and soon came
out with the faded bonnet and thin
shawl on.
I'm going on to-day, Molly" she
said, in return to Molly's look of in
quiry. 1--WE made you good long
visit-longer than | expected TO; but
it's bin so good and restful here |
couldn't bring myself to think of the
farm. | know I've waited longer about
goin' than | ought to. So I'll set down
under the porch an wait for the stage,
It's so nice and cool out here. l feel
kind O smothery this morning. I'll get
over it after I've rested a little while"
"Now, Aunt Leafy," began Molly,
firmly, "we can't let you go in this way.
and we are not going TO do it. John
and | talked it all over long ago, and
we are agreed that you shall never go
to tire farm. So just take off your
things and stay. Sit down under the
porch if you wish; but never think any
more about going away"
The tears came into the old woman's
eyes.
you're real kind" she said, in a
broken voice. But I ought TO go. I
can't be much help"
"Yes, you are, Aunt Leafy," Molly
protested. more than you know, and
we can't let you go"
But Molly's appeal was b. vain Aunt
Leafy went out upon the shady porch
and sat down TO wait. Molly followed
her with pale face and helped her to be
seated in the comfortable chair she had
taken so much pleasure in during her
stay. Then she went back and slipped
away to the Office TO bring John back
with her. lie would be able to change
Aunt Ieafy's mind, il she could not.
Together they came up the walk.
Aunt Leafy seemed to be sitting very
quietly. Perhaps she had dropped TO