Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-12-20

to start with, an my hens Will bring
enough to keep him through the win
ter, an perhaps by spring GeOrgell
change his mind. Do you think you
could take him, Mary Jane?'
"I don't know but 1 could. He'd
be company for me when Mark is
away. If my health was good
enough so't I could sew for folks as
did once, I'd take him myself
but twould be putin too much of a
burden on Mark. But l can board
Linn"
81 s'pose we better make the ar
rangements right off, before they take
him to the pOor-house. "
"Yes, l s'pose so. l guess III put
on my things an go right over to
Mr.. Lees an see about takin him
"I wish you would, an don't you
mention my name if you can help it.
I don't want George to know about it
jest yet.
Mrs. Shaw set out for Farmer
Lees, where the boy was placed tenn
porarily. She had no trouble in gain
ing the necessary consent to his
adoption. People wondered how she
could afford to add to her expenses
by taking in the child. at was no.
body's business.
Ned Palmer was sturdy, good-na-
tured boy. The recent happenings
had bewildered him, and he could
not be induced to talk but he un-
derstood by the friendly attitude of
the two women that they wished
him well. 1t was arranged that
Mrs. Dawson should pay a dollar and
a quarter a week for his board and
furnish his clothes in short, he was
to be her adopted son. She would
come over as often as possible, and
when opportunity offered Ned should
be sent to the farm with passing
neighbors.
AS the days passed, Ned grew
round, rosy and happy. He under
stood that in some way he was de-
pendent upon Mrs. Dawson, and he
repaid her interest in him by a gen.
erous share of affection which filed
her heart to overhowing.
One morning, early in December,
Mr.. Dawson announced his intention
Of going to the town after breakfast.
Don't you want to go with me,
Maria ?" he asked, with great good
humor. "Twould be good time to
get the couch an curtains" he said,
quietly.
81 guess we don't need EN- now,
said she, "as we don't use the front
room much in the winter. An if we
did we wouldn't need lace curtains,
and the old lounge is good enough.
That's very true" he replied, "but
bein' that you've set your heart on
EN-, why, have 'em. Now's as good
time as you'll have, an you can get
fixed up before Christmas. How
much money have you got towards
emp"
mot a cent she replied, with
mild defiance. 1--WE used it for bet
ter purpose"
why, Maria, l though you had
nigh onto $50. What in the world
have you done with it ?"
1--WE put it to good use, George.
Don't ask me about it. The money
was mine, wasn't it ?"
"Yes, twas but it's a pity you
amt got no more judgment than to
use nigh 500 an not have nothin to
show for it. Ny mother never had
no fancy thing in her house but if a
couch an lace curtains could make
you any happier, l wouldn't make a
fuss about EN-, an 'twould be better
than it would not to have anything
for your money"
AS Mr.. Dawson finished speaking
he rose and went out, slamming the
door after him. His wife supposed
that he had gone to make ready for
the trip, but instead, she presently
saw him disappear with an axe on his
shoulder. She knew by that be was
too disappointed and angry to go to
town that day. And in truth he was
bitterly angry at his wife. His
thoughts were not pleasant as he
trudged over the snow through the
frosty air toward the wooded hollow
below the new railroad. He would
not admit that he was disappointed
about the couch and curtains, but the
truth was, he had begun to share MS
wife's pleasure in the home more than
he himself suspected now that the
farm debt was paid nothing remained
but to add to the comfort of then