The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-12-13

pened to Uncle Daniel. He was hel
only brother. A week after letter had
come saying that Uncle Daniel had, in.
deed, been killed in that battle.
Now, five days ago Mr.. Thistle had
brought home another letter. The
shock had been too much for Uncle
Daniels sick wife, and she had followed
! Uncle Daniel. Little Emily, who was
only ten days younger than Leslie, was
to be sent to her mothers sister up in
, Monroe. A friend OF Uncle Daniels,
who was coming East, would take
charge of Emily as far as Boston,
| where he would put her in charge of the
stewardesS on the Bellport boat.
Some tears fell on Clarissa's wooden
head as Leslie remembered that bitter
day. 81 never felt so badly for anyone
i'll my life as did for Emily" she whis-
pered to Cl;!rissa
what! tears" sputtered log. There
was great swapping in the fireplace,
and shower of sparks flew out. Some
fell at Leslie's feet, and others fell be-
fore Mrs. Thistle. John rushed with
the tongs and Henry with the shovel.
Leslie laughed heartily at the boys an
tics, and the tears dried on her cheeks.
THAT was the only thing that ever
had against Daniel" remarked Cousin
Abbie, CHS taking poor Winifred out to
Minnesota, away from all her kith and
kin, and she the SlimmeSt of her family"
ny look. ''That surely was unkind of
Daniel. 1t would not have suited you
at all; now, would it, Abbie?"
Not but that Daniel did well with
his mills out there" continued Cousin
Abbie, but there has never been the
man in Bellport that could make me
leave the State of Maine"
81 cannot think of Daniel as really
gone, said Mrs. Thistle. her voice tax
ing OH the sad tone that was so often
heard these days. ''IIe was the most
alive of anyone that knew. Nothing
could daunt or discourage him. O, Alb
bic, think of a mothers heart. Any
day | may have the same tidings Of
Malcolm or MacGregor. But see, Les
lie has fallen asleep Carry her up
stairs for me, Henry Boys, it is time
that you all were in bed
Ten minutes afterward, when all was
quiet under MI Thistle's roof, Alec,
are you awake?" whispered James.
mo. | am thinking"
Say, Alec, did you notice anything
queer about mother today"
THAT is what | have been thinking
about, James. | did notice something
queer. She did not make any pumpkin
pies for our Thanksgiving dinner
THAT was it, Alec. | happened to
see her, and what do you think? She
got the pumpkin all strained and took
down the pie plates off the pantry shelf.
She stood d moment with them i'll her
hands: then she wiped her eyes and put
the pie plates back upon the Shelf
She must have been thinking about
Malcolm and MacGregor." said Alec,
land how they have not had many good
things to eat. Henry and John have
been off in the woods all day with
father, so they do not know anything
about it. and Leslie has been too taken
up with dreaming about Emily's COM
ing to notice anything
"'TWill be strange dinner, though,
said James, trying not to speak regret
fully, but l do not blame mother for
not feeling like making the pies, and
will give that Theodore a switching if
lie makes a fuss about it"
The next morning, after Nh. Thistle
and the other boys had set out on the
long walk to the Congregational meet
inghouse, to hear good old DR.. Wood
bury deliver his Thanksgiving sermon,
Henry took the two wheeled chaise and
started for the wharf to meet Emily.
Leslie took up her station on a window
seat between Mrs. Thistles monthly
roses, eager to catch the first glimpse of
the stranger cousin. She did not have
long to wait, for the boat was on time,
and white Bessie trotted home in a
great hurry, as though she knew how
very anxious Leslie was. Bessie gave
her dainty head a toss as she reached
the door, as much as to say, Now, Les
lie, see how well | have donew
Henry brought in bundle of shawls
and placed it on the cricket before the
fire. 1t swayed a moment and rolled
off onto the floor where it kicked vigor-
ously, vainly endeavoring to eXtricate
its arms and legs.
Cousin Abbie rushed to the rescue
For the lands sake. Henry, couldn't
you have wrapped that child up with
out making hippopotamus of her?
Never mind, my plum, you will be all
right in minute.
A few strong twitches given to Mr..
Thistle's blanket shawl. and two laced
boots and white knitted stockings were
revealed Another twitch, and there
was a black and white gingham gown,
duu ABOVE IL around 1usneu cllllu lace,
surrounded with golden curlS.
Cousin Abbie gave one look and drop.
ped down in chair Then she reached
with trembling hands to the table for
her spectacles, wiped them and put
them on, and stared at the child with
an expression of awe. Mrs. Thistle
was staring oddly, too
Emily looked frightened. Leslie sat
down on the hearth beside her and
thrust Clarissa into her arms. Seeing
the two children so near together, the
women and Henry almost jumped.
There could be no doubt about it. Leslie
and the little Emily We're as alike as
two peas, and two peas of the same
size, too. If Emily had had Oh a red
and white checked dress like Lesiie's,
not even Mrs. Thistle herself could
have told which was her own daughter
Emily Rugged Clarissa. Then she
put her arms around Leslie's neck and
Rugged her, too.
Are you hungry, my sweet one?" in
quired Mrs. Thistle.
Emily continued TO hug Leslie, as
though she had not heard the question
Mrs. Thistle, thinking that perhaps
she had not understood that the ques-
ton. was addressed to her, repeated it,
calling her by name.
No answer Emily did not even turn