Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-11-22
Martha stopped herself shortly q


Martha stopped herself shortly a,
his question.
II was going to burn this paper, but
maybe I'd better not" she muttered
She sat down again, quite spent
from the days perplexities. She did
not coherently plan what sne should
do. She let matters drift for the next
few days.
Then one morning Mr.. Crell came
to her house with a notary and a deed
all drawn up for her to sign. He gave
her the deed to sign. She trembled
and before she could write her name
the pen fell to the floor. She would
rot pick 1t up. II won't sell the land"
she said. Let this place go If it will,
and Jacky and are going to live on
the shack on the river land"
Nothing the perplexed lawyer could
say would alter this decision, and at
last he took the notary away.
However, sincerely DESTROYS OF saw
ing the old woman from the conse-
quences of what seemed strange
vagary, Mr.. Crell came to her another
day, saying that he had arranged by
telegraph to postpone the time of pay
ing the mortgage.
But Martha stubbornly refused to
alter her plans. She put little furni-
ture into the two-roomed log shack
on the river property, and moved
there with Jacky.
There won't be any crime in jus,
borrowing the land while | live," she
told herself
One evening. when they had been
in the shack some weeks. as he sat
studying the depressed lines that had
come into her face, an idea occurred
70 Jacky.
Granny" he broke out, "the reason
we're not very cheerful here is just
because we haven't enough honor
ableness."
Then, as Martha caught her breath,
she glanced at him sharply.
1--WE ought to have grandfather's
medal hanging up as 1t was at the
cottage" he explained. you see.
Granny, we're always so proud and
happy when we look at it and remem-
Der what brave soldier he was. II
makes us wish to be all honorable and
light ourselves. Why GRANNY"
Martha had suddenly dropped her
ace in her hands, and was swaying
Ter poor old body to and fro.
"Jacky! Jacky!" she cried out, 60
yet the medal, quickly"
He flew for it, quite distracted at
he remarkable effect of his words. He
lad merely repeated things she had
,ften said to him.
Martha had controlled her agitation
When he came back to her side after
few minutes. She was sitting up
cry straight and calm, and there was
brightness in her eyes. as If the
pirit behind them was working
trongly. Her mouth had cropped
rom the set look 1t had recently worn.
t ,rembled slightly.
"Jacky," she said, stand before me,
ny man. Jacky, you say that think
ng of grandfather ought to make us
rave and honorable. Do you mean
""
"Oh, yes, Granny"
And if he was ready to do his duty !,
n his way, We must do ours in our
Yay as bravely?"
"Ye-es, Granny"
Then, Jacky. we shall. I'll do mine
nd you'll do yours, little lad, even
nough it's the hardest trial that
ould come for lis to be parted"
The next morning Martha carried
ne deed to Mr.. Crell and told him the
.ory of how she had found 1t and
[ her resolve TO restore the land to
Wills.
"Oh, Mrs. Brent" he exclaimed
hen he was through reading 1t,
up to grasp her hand. How
lad we are you brought me this at /
!st! You say you were not able to
lad all of it? Well, Frederick Willis