Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-10-04
HOPE.
ny JENNY WREN.

HOPE.
BY JENNY WREN.
{ II there is a time trying to house
keepers, 1t is the period called house.
cleaning.
Farmer Gray's wife was no excep-
tion-good, motherly soul that she
was. She was up with the lark day
after day, and gave little rest to those
working under her supervision. But
as paint which never showed signs OF
soil shone with new gloss, and even
the possibility Of dust was removed
from where no truce OF dust could be
found, her eyes frightened, and
hAppy thought would go fitting
through her brain.
ut will be all over, and everything
ready, before Reuben comes home"
Reuben was her pride the boy who,
utterly regardless OF the clean, sand-
ed floors, would walk boldly In where
no other foot dared tread, leaving his
imprint in mud to mark his course
the boy for whose future she had
woven such wonderful air castles.
He must be lawyer, a great man,
one whose name she should some day
zee in the public prints. This seemed
TO her the very height OF ambition.
Reuben WINS coming home-a college
graduate-to spend with them his va
cation. and then back to the busy town
To- earn fame. Was 1t any wonder the
d0ors the walls, the ceilings, must
give evidence OF their mute delight?
Trudging along at slow jog rot,
occasionally speaking a word OF en-
enlargement to tfH tired mare, Farm
er Gray was nearing home. But a
troubled look rested on his face. very
different from the bright cheeriness
generally found there, and ever and
anon his eyes wandered stealthily to
q little figure perched on high seat
at his side.
One could see only the face-a pinch
ed, worn little fnce, from which two
great brown eyes peered out, and
seemed to take in every blade Of grass
by the roadside. every leaf upon the
trees, us some wonderful heayen.sent
vision accorded her.
You mustn't mind, my dear, IL Mrs.
Gray seems a little put out like when
she first sees You. It's house cleaning
time, and she don't much like strang-
ers botherin' her; but she'll soon find
out you won't lin the way, and when
she sees the roses comm back to your
cheeks she'll be happy enough. Only
don't worry her IL at first she's a wee
bit fiustered.''
"Oh, I'm 50 sorry you brought me, IL
she won't like it!'' answered the child
for child she seemed, sitting there.
though seventeen summers had passed
over her head.
There, there, now! She will like 1t,
i tell you; and when she once sees
you, and feels sorry for you, you'll find
how kind and good she Is" said the
farmer, striving, with the remem-
brance of duty done, to reassure his
sinking heart, as he came In sight Of
his own pasture land.
He had gone, bright and early, that
morning, into the DOCTORS ONCE, to tell
his old friend of the honors his boy
had won, and that soon Reuben was
coming back to them; and after Civ
Ing him few words and a warm
hand shake Of congratulations, the
doctor had added:
Il was thinking Of you, wishing for
you, as You entered. There is little
girl here who is dying for the want Of
pure country air and a little nursing in
the way Of food. She needs plenty OF
milk and liberty to roam all day in
the fields. Take her back with you:
II VIII be the making Of her. And tell
Mrs. Gray sent her, and am coming
down soon to see how she is getting
along"
It's house cleanin',n answered the
farmer, and aSworld Of meaning was
In the short sentence.
Both men looked grave: but tho doc.
tor spoke again:
I'VE can't let the girl die IL It ia. I
tell You, Gray, she is starving for
country mir, for green fields, and. the
music OF the birds. Let her 70. Mrs.
81 = wos .,a ~. ga..
Grav,s awhoo - .a. Out Farmer
loni than. ,,s,a, as ou. . niue less
Old horse ut his own door; but the
Il bronrht har sn.o s",s saugnt y, and
hid him ,vo H., uay 70 .ae door. to
u,sre A. - .,aa a .,N st:e !. ms boots
Tha +rac.,no ..,a.. ~, spotlesss noors.
I iaft sas pa.. .neln WIN mud must be
-w..' ~ 49, 49,, WI y, aars. gray! she
not hnna AaI 49, .nougn she would
,.,o,,,, Nv, ,e9gea III Her feet
{. hor w.,ahs ~ =" uas 'ney naa borne