The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-03-16
They Missed the Major
By Emma A. opper.

KHRS. Rouse, the Hornbecks' neXt-door
aW neighbour, sat and laughed to see
what a 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
ahe 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 l ever saw" said Mrs. Rouse.
''They do. They wouldn't have, said
Mrs. Hornbeck, IF it wasn't for Trotty.
Eharley's a boy, and Lily's little yet.
TrDtty manages everything. Mr.. Horn
beck calls her the major. What's we'd
SO without her is more t1ran l 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"
Il won't hear TO her staying out of
school to help nor talsng time when
She ought to be doing her lessons; but
Dy goodness! seems as if TrOtty can
study her arithmetic and darn stock
ing=s 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 the hubbub, nor
pick up the baby, nor pinch TrOtty's
far. Mother" he said, I've got a
Better"
Bad news, father?" said Mrs. Horn
beck, with quick alarm.
"Why, no, 'tisn't bad news" said Mr..
Horn beck. Mrs. Rouse, with kind con-
ESderation, rose to go.
Well bring you over some candy to-
morrow. Mrs. Rouse" said Trotty.
TrGtty was thoughtful of every body.
You say it isn't bad news, father"
SRi0 Mrs. HornbecB, "but you don look
Is If it was anything else"
Well" said Mr.. Bornbeck, mother
t1e letters from Mrs. Taylor; Sarah
Taylor It's to both Of us. It's about
you, Trotty. 1 guess Id better read it
eRt loud"
"Me?" said Trotty.
All; Sarah Taylor" said Mrs. Horn
beck, Her face had changed.
They want me" she said. "to come
and live with EN-! Well, shan't go
siHp."
Mr.. Hornbecll cleared his throat. 1T
might be good for you, Trotty," said he
Trotty laughed. you want to get rid
Of me, father!" she said.
sit will be a bad days work for the
Eornbecll family when we get rid of
yo1, major" his father said. But, you
nee. Mrs. Taylor is your fathers cousin,
and 1 suppose maybe she's got some
claim"
HWhy, no, father" said Trotty, wide
eyed; "nobody's got q claim on me but
goa and mother, and Charley and Lilly
and the baby"
That's right" said Charley, loudly.
but that isn't all, Trotty," his father
said. They're we'll off. They live i'll
a nice big house, with great lawn
TouPd it; [ was over there to Payson
once. and l saw the place"
1'Why! but, father" said Trotty; "but
] don't want to go and live there. You
Bnd mother took me when, my mother
died and I didn't have anybody, and
guess nobody else is going to get me
Dow"
II guess there amt, either!" said
charley.
Il guess there amt" Lily echoed.
'Eheir mother had sat silent and
sober.
-'lf we could have our way, Trotty,'
she said, nobody should ever get you.
Bn it's this way. I've been looking
fer this letter from Sarah Taylor.
heard six months ago that her last
daughter was married, and that took
ne back to the time your mother died,
'Trotty-"
~And you took me-" Trotty put in.
Yes; but the Taylors came over here
and we had talk. Mrs. Taylor said
she was your fathers cousin, AID L was
just your mothers friend, and that
iHas she that ought to take you.
But she had three girls of her own,
md she saw how more than willing
Eas. She said, though, that some time,
If her girls ever left her, maybe I'd
hear from her. And now her last girls
married and she and Mr.. Taylor are
Ri0ne-and I've heard from her." said
Mrs Hornbeck.
-Trotty," she said, cts just this;
They can do better by you. They're rich
folks, compared to US, and you'll have
II splendid home with them. You'll be
ssn times better off! It'll just about
break my heart, but we've got to do
whnt,s Cor rnnr rnnd Trnttun