The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-27
They Missed the Major
By Emma A. 0ppsr.

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tVh neirhbor. sat and laughed to see
what good time the Hornbecks were
having simply with pint of molasses
and some popcorn.
Trotty Strong was making the candy
Mrs. Rouse always thought of Trotty
Strong as Hornbeck, because she had
lived with them since her eighth year.
and she was IA now. Charley popped
the corn and Lily creased the places
for the candy, and the baby sat in his
high chair and looked on.
''They make candy every Saturday
night" said Mrs. Hornbeck.
'.They have the best times of any
children I ever saw" said Mrs Rouse.
They do. They wouldn't have, said
Mrs. Hornbeck, 'if it wasn't for Trotty
Charley's boy, and Lily's little yet.
Trotty manages everything. Mr.. Horn
beck calls her the major What's we'd
do without her is more than | know.
I've only one pair of hands, and there
are things that wouldn't be done if
Trotty wasn't here to do them
81 won't hear to her staying out Of
school to help, nor taking time when
she ought to be doing her lessons; but
my goodness! seems as if Trotty can
study her arithmetic and darn stock
ings with one hand. and bake cookies
and take care Of baby with the other
said Mrs, Hornbeck.
And in the midst of the jolly racket,
Mr.. Hornbeck came in.
He did not laugh at she hubbub, nor
pick up the baby, nor pinch Trotty S
ear. Mother" he said, I've got a
letter"
Bad news, father?" said Mrs. Horn
beck, with quick alarm.
"Why, no, 'tisnt bad news" said Mr..
Hornbeck. Mrs. Rouse, with kind con-
sideration, rose to go.
wen bring you over some candy to-
morrow, Mrs Rouse" said Trotty,
Trotty was thoughtful of everybody.
"You say it isn't bad news, father" A"
said Mrs Hornbeck, "but you don't look
,as if it was anything else"
WELL" said Mr.. Hornbeck, mother,
the letters from Mrs, Taylor; Sarah
Taylor It's to both of us. It's about
you, Trotty. I guess I'd better read it
out loud
"MeY' said Trotty.
s.Ah; Sarah Taylor" said Mrs. Horn
beck. Her face had changed.
'They want me" she said, ''to come
and live with 'em! Well, shan't so a
step"
Mr.. Hornbeck cleared his throat 1T
might be good for you, Trotty, said he
Trotty laughed. you want to get rid
of me. father!" she said.
1T will be bad days work for the
Hornbeck family when we get rid OF
YOU, major" his father said. But, you
see. Mrs. Taylor is your fathers cousin
and l suppose maybe she's got some
claim"
"Why. no, father" said Trotty, wide
eyed; "nobody's got claim on me but
you and mother, and Charley and Lily
and the baby"
That's right ssid Charley, loudly
ssBut that isn't all, Trotty," his father
said. They're well off. They live in
a nice big house, with great lawn
round it; was over there to Paysor
once, and saw the place"
"Why! but, father" said Trotty; but
] don't want to go and live there. You
and mother took me when my mother
died and didn't have anybody, and
guess nobody else is going to get me
row"
81 guess there amt, either!" said
Charley.
81 guess there amt Lily echoed.
Their mother had sat silent and
sober.
IF we could have our way, Trotty.'
she said, nobody should ever get you
But it's this way. I've been looking
for this letter from Sarah Taylor.
heard six months ago that her last
daughter was married. and that TOOK
me back to the time your mother died
Trotty-"
"And you took me- Trotty put in
sYes; but the Taylors came over here
and we had talk. Mrs. Taylor said
she was your fathers cousin, and was
lust your mothers friend, and that
5swas she that oaSht TO take you.