Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-11-01
Miss Canary's Legacy.
BY F. L. BACON.

The wind was blowing in high ana
from the sea. 1t always sounded with
that peculiar wall when it came sweep
ing over the m-touched waves as
they lashed up against the beach. 1t
was very strong tonight, and there was
dash Of sleet with it. Miss Canary
Aad drawn her striped shawl closer
about her shoulders and stirred the
Gre into a brighter glow.
She was a thin, angular woman, OF
30 or more. Her face was hard with
many lines of care. She had not taken
life easily; though. living alone in the
little cottage, her simple, uneventful
life had had seemingly few grievances
Miss Canary tended her flowers, kept
her hoCse in order, and owed no one.
What cause had she then to worry!
Tonight she held In her hand let
tai, and more than once settled her
specta cleS to re-read it. Joel Canary,
her only brother, was at the point OF
death. How she had loved him! 1t
seemed, tonight. that she could see
him so plainly-a little lad, when she
was already a woman grown, running
to her for everything. his sunny curls
tossing brightly over his white fore
head; could see again his laughing
eyes.
She had loved him with all the
strength Of her heart. But she had not
forgiven him for loving and marrying
as he had done. She had opposed itfrom
the beginning. A pink and white doll
face, that was all! 1t had been grim
satisfaction, when the news came that
the foolish little woman had run away
from home to join some opera COM
sany, deserting child and husband.
That was what the story had been.
She had not cared to investigate 1t FUR
lhcr. 1t was nearly five years ago, and
she had not forgiven Joel. He had
but met his deserts, she had said stern
ly. Now he was dying. He had not
prospered, the letter said. and there
was nothing to leave, nothing save
the little lad-Joel." And the writer
begged in her brothers name, that she,
his only sister and kinswoman, would
care for the child. She, Eliza Canary,
who had no dealings with children,
who dreaded their approach as some
unknown species of untamed animal!
She had suddenly the care and re-
sponsibility of one thrust upon her!
Her untasted tea stood on the little
round table. Mousey, the big Maltese,
rubbed herself against her mistress
dress, vainly desiring notice. Miss
Canary had indeed forgotten that she
had no tea, and that Mousey's saucer
hoI nn1Irpl Shn
sighed heavily and folded up the let
Ter.
'It's got to be, l s'pose," she said.
Much living alone had given Miss Can
ary the habit of talking to herself. Il
s'pose / know my duty; the Lords
always made it plain enough for me,
whatever folks may say bout not
knowing what the Almighty wants 'em
to do. That's just shiftin' the respon-
sbility, I'm thinking. Joel's child. /
almost wish I'd seem him afore he
went; but told him I'd never speak
to him again if he married that girl,
nm I never broke my word yet, an
never intend to-but oh, l wish to
mercy the child hadn't never come!
How ever I'm to keer for it, l don't
know. Therell be dirt over every
thing-my carpets an clean floors; an
noise like the Fourth of July all the
year round An he'll be certain to
tease Mousey."
Thlslas was evoked by the factthat
Mousey had put up her paw and was
gently patting Miss Canary's lap. The
old woman rose mechanically, and.
with hands that trembled a little,
poured the milk. The wind outside
blew the curtains at the windows. 1t
sounded like voice Of distress afar
off.
"I never knowed the wind to blow
that way and bring anybody luck"
said Miss Canary; 'an' it sure has
brought my share of trouble" she ad-
ded with q groan.
For the next few days Miss Canary
held herself and home in readiness for
her new charge. She had repaired
little white bed in a small but spot
lessly clean room. She carefully laid
pieces of drugget by it's sides for the
bare feet. She baked an overwhelm-
ing number of pies, and even made
doughnuts. She had not made any for
so long that they were rather failure.
"But boys stomicks can stan most
anything" she said, "an' Joel used to
love 'em So"
When finally the boy arrived. having
come in charge of a comparative stran-
ger travelling in the same direction.
Miss Canary was not prepared for him.
She was in the back yard hanging out
her modest array of washing. when
the vehicle stopped, and a tiny-such a
tiny-little figure was lifted out, and
then the driver whipped up his horse
and was off, leaving what looked like
n bundle of rags at the gate.
Miss Canarys hands were wet, she
wiped them hastily upon her apron as
she hurried forward. Two grave blue