Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-05-25

known to Cynthy, who was at first in
cousolabla. She wept over Sam as if he
had been badly used. AT first she for
baGe them both the house; but, remem-
beriug her promise to her mother. she
TT last made him Ia;eh Mrs White
home, and she'd do as well by her as
could bo expected under the circum-
stances.
So they came to the farmhouse to
live, and Cynthy. true to her promise,
did well by them rs far as food aud
kindred comforts go, but never by any
possible chance was there any relaxa-
tion Of the stern lines about her mouth,
and Lizy often cried mp stairs in the
spare room from sheer loneliness.
About two years later the war fever
of 1861 broke ont at the Corners, and
Sam White was one Of the first to catch
the infection. Sam had settled down"
during the past two years so all the
Corners folks said, and was a strong,
sturdy specimen of young manhood.
When he came home and broke the
news Of his enlistment to Lily and
CyEihy the little wife's face grew pale
as death. and she clasped her laughing
baby more closely to her but said never
a word
Bat Cynthy-her voice rose to per
feet shrek as she cried, You shan't
90, Sam you mustn't you can't I'll
never give my consent. Don't you new
or mention it again.
But as Sans resolution did not
waver she left off commanding and be
gan eutrCating instead: "Oh, Sam, you
won't go, please don't, 1 couldn't bear
it; don't goH'
And when to this pitiful pleading
Sam only answered, Il must Cynthy;
I've promised" Cynthy arose and,
Standing before Lily, who was strug-
Cling with her tears, said, BEG him not
to go, Lily; he'll hear to you. Tell him
you can't get on without him.
81 can't, Cynthy, was the fearful
reply IF he's promised TO 60, any
thing l could say wouldn't stop him.
And besides, Sam knows best. If it's
his duty. | won stand in the way. III
say, Go, and God bless youl "
Brave little womanl" cried Sam
But Cynthy, facing her with blazing
eyes said fiercely: IF you let him go,
I'll never speak to you again. Beg him
not TO. Quick say l mean itI"
"Cynthyl' cried Sam.
Il mean itr' she went on. If he
goes it's your fault. and I'll never for
give you.
Sam, as well IS Cynthy, was not pre-
pared for the resolute look on the little
wifc's face, as, rising, her baby in her
arms, she faced the angry woman, say
ing II shall not bid him stay If he's
given his word, I'll not bid him be a
coward for my sake. He must do what
he thinks is right.
Cynthy turned and left the room,
while Lily burst into tears, hiding them
on Sans broad shoulders.
So it was settled.
But Cynthy moved about like a wom-
an Of stone, never apparently seeing
Lily. but doing all in her power for
Sam Lily decided to go home to her
parents during his absence, to which
decision Cynthy agreed, with a satisfied
nod of her erect head.
So Sam went to the war. Lily went
to her old home, and Cynthy was left
desolate.
Before many months had passed news
came to the Corners that great battle
had been fought and won for the Union,
but that among the wounded were many
of their relations and friends while on
the list Of the dead was the name Of
Sam White. and a few days after his
body was brought home to the Corners
and given soldiers burial and well
he deserved his honors, for he had been
a brave soldier and true.
SO he had lain all these years on the
hillside, and all these years Cynthy had
dwelt in her lonely cottage nursing
her grief for Sam and her anger toward
Lily who had lived on in the little
house left her by her father.
Her one child had grown up and mar
Iied. unhappily it proved, and had re-
turned to her mother with two little
ones Of her own.
The years had proved cruel to Lily.
She had worked hard to keep the wolf
from the door, but it had sometimes
been hard struggle, and since her
daughter and little grandchildren had
returned to her she had been obliged
to mortgage her little home to procure
ready money, as Susy was an invalid
and must have medicine and nourish-
ing food Lack of work and sickness
had prevented the earning Of money TO
pay the interest, and the mortgage was
to be foreclosed the 30th OF May, and
there was no place left for them but
the town farm, she thought bitterly.
Thus at the Corners there were some
hearts to whom the coming Memorial
day seemed anything but a gala day.
LiZy had often thought of going to
Cynthy and asking help from her; but,
remembering how many times she had
attempted 30 make peace with her and
had failed, she dared not make the at
tempt. And as the days went by her
heart grew heavier, as no relief could
anywhere be found, and nothing re-
mained for them but the poorhouse, at
least while Susy remained sick and
needed her constant attention.
1t was just at Gusk the evening be
fore Memorial day when Miss Cynthy
again stepped from her door TO look mt
the garden, which had improved won
derfully under the spell of the soft
spring weather.
She walked down to the gate and
stood there. arms ahimbo, looking at
the great masses Of purple and white
lilacs that perfumed all the air about
her
"Them lilacs hain't got any equal to
the Corners, / know Seems as if they
bloomed a-purpose for Sans grave.
wonder if he knows how I've always
carried them ev'ry year since he como
back " And something very like tear
glittered in the corner of her eye
But just here her reverie was inter
rupted by Deacon Peppers CHEEKY voice
calling out Glow dc do, Cynthy
Worshipin them flowers. hey2 S'pose
you We hcarn the news, Cynthy, bein's
you re in the familyf'
"No; what newsy" Cynthy replied.
"Why, Lily and Susy and them two
young uns air a-goin up to the town
farm tomorrow Hardman has fore
closed on en- Lizy's dretful cut up
about it, they say. Coin to the doin's
tomorrow, Cyuthyr We're a-goin TO
beat the folks on the ridge all to nothin.
Git mp, Dobbinr'