The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-09-19

ana thea h gave place 70 look q
patisnt paan.
He'd counted on the judges know
ing him." said the crippled man, turn
ing his head wearily against the soft
old cusion. 81 know II Just ~ well a
IL he'd said So If the judge had
shown signs Of remembering him.
Sammy would have plucked up cour'
age to ask him II there was any
chance for him down below. Don't
l know how he's kept at his study
evenings when he's been most too
tired to sit up? Seventeen years old
last week, and going to be hived up
here all winter, and only just earn
enough to keep us a-going!"
Mr.. Lane pounded on the ground
with his crutch in excitement. and
scared away q squirrel which was on
. journey TO a neighboring elm.
"Poor little creatur! didn't mean
70 fright you," said Uncle Hiram, re.
gretfully. "but I just recollected that
Sammy asked me II I'd full as soon
call him SAM now he's ~, and I've
clean forgotten II ever since TIL this
minute! And he such boy, and me
such . drag on him, and forgetting
such IN easy thing as that! I'll get
my mouth fixed for II when he comes
back. SAM I'll say to him. SAM
I'm glad to see you. Sam; and, Sam.
I've had nice morning under the
trees, Sam reckon the oftener I
say IL for a spell, the easier it'll come.
Ill practice it off and on the rest o.
the morning to keep my hand in," said
Uncle Hiram, wisely.
sammy's thoughts. as he hurried
down the road that led to the Lap
ham house, were not very comforting.
I'm nothing but what the children
call 'fraid cat,' that's all I ami" he
said, bitterly. ANY other boy would
speak up to the judge and make him
remember, and perhaps get . chance.
Uncle Hiram minds, too. Hes hardly
talked about the old war times, when
he was . drummer boy and got his
wounds, once, for the last week. He'd
rather be in an attic In Boston and
know I was working my way up than
to stay here In Moorby; there's mo-
body here he cares enough about to
make him want to stay. And I might
earn money enough to buy him q
wheeled chair before long. While
mother lived I couldn't go, but now
eould.s ..t
Mrs. Lapham's house faced the
south, and 40 Sammy entered the yard
he looked for Mrs. Lapham's smile
at the window Of the room whsrs all
her days were spent.
She had been bedridden for ten
years: the old sitting room Of her
early married life had been changed
to her bedroom, and every morning
before Mr.. Lapham started for his
Harness and Shoe Shop" he dragged
the bod close to the window. All
passers-by were used 10 The sight of
Mrs. Lapham's pale face proppsd into
view by the many pillows. and her
thimbis tapped many . summon to
entsr on the lowest righthand pane.
There was no face at the window
that morning, although, - sammy
drew close to the house he could sec
that the bed was in Its usual place.
Al. he stood . moment irresolutsly at
the turn where the path brsnched Of
toward the woodshed, q man hailed
him from passing cart, saying "Hul.
10, Sammy! How's business with you
these days?"
Fair" returned the boy, soberly.
adding under his breath. II wish peo.
pie wouldn't call me Sammy It's
such q baby name!"
There came tap at the window as
the cart ratified out of sight and Sam
my turned quickly to see Mrs. Lap
hams face, white and drawn, at the
pane.
why, she looked as if she was cry
ing!" said the boy to himself, star
tied out Of thoughts about his own
troubles. rs he entered the house.
There was no longer any doubt In
his mind when he stood in the door
way and saw the invalid's great dark
eyes.
Sammy" she cried, in high,
strained voice. "The men are at work
In the judges meadow, and he's there
with 'em! They're going to cut down
all my willows and my old apple
tree, my dear old apple tree, Sammy!
John Roberts is there with 'em, su-
perintending under the Judge. tapped
him in this morning Just after Mr..
Lapham had gone, and he told me.
Why, Sammy, It seems ~ II those
trees belonged 70 me! Ny view'll
be all spoiled, and it's everything
have to look at, that meadow IL
Sammy"
"Yes'm, I know" said the boy. with
quick sympathy. Il suppose he
thinks the meadow'll be better with
out the willows, and that the apple
tree doesn't bear much Of any fruit.
He dossn't realize about you, Mrs.
Lapham, the Judge doesn't; don't
believe he even knows about you. You
see he's only here In the summer. and
he doesn't see much Of us village peo-
ple," added Sammy, gently. TITS an