The Somerset reporter., 1900-01-04
BY w. r. ROSE.

BI1c uduu Slept SOuuuly. lie TdTely
slAlapt soundly now. 1t wasn't his age,
su, rely, he was only 81; and 1t couldn't
be his business affairs. for all his in
yes Ftments We're sound and highly re-
mu neratlve. and his large income was
rapSidly increasing. No. he must look
! for the cause elsewhere Perhaps 1t
wor4ld be we'll to consult doctor
HE arose and lighting the gas. look
ed tlt his watch. 1t was half past 4.
He INVENT to n window that faced the
! east land raised the sash. The air came
/ in coypl and fragrant Low down by the
fara Way ridge streaks of pale light
were l showing.
I'M see this SUNRISE" said Amos
Brand ION. Il haven't seen one since |
was a boy" He hastily dressed him
self aipd bathed his face and hands.
IN Sc l. it from the outside he added.
and SOFTLY creeping down the stairway
found Ais hat and opening the great
door de kcended the stone steps that led
to the sltreet.
As he faced the east and moved slow
ly along the avenue he snuffed the air
and found it good He even took off
his hat a3ld let ii cool his head
1T cert ainly seems to me that this is
better thain tossing on that comfortless
mattress. I he muttered. "Wonder why
| never Thought Of it beforeY
The palI streaks in the east grew
broader a pink flush rose behind the
wooded cretst. the clouds became hazy.
Swiftly thef flush deepened. spokes o.
light werei Hung upward. aud then
came the slhn.
Amos Brhndo walked slowly on.
ward, eagerly watching these magi
changes.
"Oh," he sAid, that's fine. It's worth
the trouble. How many people know
anything about it? Precious few. Look
at the present. audience. One restless.
lonely old NAH and a night Waterman
or two. What a shamer'
He came to A street intersection and
paused and 30 lied ut his watch
Quarter after s. he muttered. NO,
I'll not go homo. | feel like a runaway
boy. I'll stroll down to the lake
don't believe I've really seen the lake
in dozen years"
He walked at Il leisurely gait breath
ing in the tonicky air and ever and
anon turning lis gaze on the sun tinted
clouds. His eyes were brighter and
his step more elastic. He seemed to
grow younger as he advanced. Labor
ing men, swinging their dinner boxes,
looked around as they passed him.
His was an unusual figure at that ear.
ly hour. Once he heard man repeat
his name to his companions, and they
all stared curious.y ut him as they
passed.
AS he came within sight of the lakes
blue ripples n girl clme across the av
enue and turned IL ON the sidewal
just ahead of him. She was girl o
perhaps II. rather slender with clear
olive complexion ant thick dark hair
She was neatly dressed. save her Shoes
which were dingy and frayed, and in
her hand she carried a basket whose
contents were concelled beneath n
white paper. Amos brandon quicken
ed his steps a little
You are an early rser." he said to
the girl. At The momeIt he was inter
ested in early risers.
Yes, sir said the gil, who showed
no surprise at his abrupt remark. Il
have to rise early to cary my fathers
breakfast to him. He a helper at
the mills over there" Sue pointed to
a long row of dingy buildings not far
ahead.
She spoke well and with lack Of
cOnStraint that the old mm admired.
'Why doesn't your fathc come home
to his breakfa 2" he askel
He goes TO work at Midnight and |
quits at noon" she answered
And how far do you comY
About a mile and a half
She gave him little nod md turned |
to cross a vacant field that you'd save
her few steps. Amos waite ed her for
a moment AS she sturdily slipped for
ward
~ good little woman. and or father
should be proud of her. | hoe he is" |
He sighed softly as he ploddd on.
He enjoyed the lake with /. dimply |
surface. and the swash of le little
waves as they struck the pihg and |
the black banner of smoke traing aft
err a PARKWAY steamer. Presatly he
turned and strolled over toWrd the
iron mills a lmost in n mornt he
came upon the girl CT the lunl bas-
ket. She was sitting on a low lille of
boards. and close beside her sat work.
ingman. bare armed and sine'y: u
swarthy man. with small blacl eyes
and n short black beard. He W; eat
ing. with evident enjoyment the ncak
fast the girl had brought him mos
Brandon paused at the pictur, II
pleased him. He nodded smiling To
the girl. who nodded back. and wen
the swarthy man looked up he NODDED
to him too Amos leaned agains a
pile of lumber.
Your load will be lighter on the Wy
pack" he said to the girl
Yes" she answered. father alw;s
has good appetite"
The swarthy man looked up. h
Dodded gravely to Amos.
"She good girl" he slowly sal
"Come long way"
YES" said Amos. I'm sure she's
. good girl"
The swarthy man looked around n
the object of his praise. There was
fondness in his glance.
| ri ri tnn " ha caf1 sErao rhni