Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-06-27
TWO
MIRANDAS
By Clinton
Danderfield
Copyright, 1902, by the S. S. Mcclure


the wagon in front of the farmhouse
gate, he looked forward with all Il
city boys delight to whole month in
the country.
That he had never seen his aunt or
uncle before did not trouble him in the
least. He had been brought up In a
wholesome belief in the kindness Of
human nature in general and showed
it so frankly that people invariably
turned their best side toward this sun
ny faced lad of ten.
His uncle came hurrying down the
box trimmed path to meet him.
I'm glad ter see We. real glad" he
declared warmly. I'D "a come myself
stead Of scndin' Lucas, but I've had
the rheumatic considerable lately"
The boy paused second at the door
step to remark on the beauty of two
full leaved and fruited apple trees
which grew almost at the threshold,
one on each side But to his surprise
his uncle scowled slightly and hurried
him into the house.
Only the CHEEKY voice of the fire
welcomed him. Herbert turned Ques-
tioningly to his uncle.
"Aunt? Is she well?"
Jonas Alwyn showed a momentary
confusion before the boys clear
glance Then he said hastily:
"Well-oh, yes; but she amt to home
jest now-wOn't be fer several days"
Time sped swiftly. There was SO
much to see and to do! True, his I'M
cle's disposition varied from extreme
cheeriness to fits of moody abstraction.
He proved to be so skillful a cook that
he filled his nephew with wonder.
"I'll bet aunt's pancakes don't beat
yours" he remarked one morning, his
mouth full of light cakes and sirup
making the compliment a trifle indis-
tinct.
Jonas started, then pushed away his
coffee as though something had affect
ed his appetite.
"They're a sight better" he said so
gloomily that Herbert laughed out
right.
II didn't think you'd be sensitive on
the subject uncle. When she comes.
I'll tell her what you said. Have you
heard from her lately?"
mot to say lately"
Mother thought she was here when
you wrote" went on Herbert.
His uncle rose excitedly.
aye don't mean It," he declared We
hemently. mo; We don't mean it,
cause We don't know nawthin' about
1t. But she amt set foot in this house
for eight year come next November"
Herbert rose, pale in his turn.
I'm sorry" he faltered. II never
knew-mother doesn't know-that any
thing had-gone wrong"
"Everything's gone wrong" said his
uncle misernbly. Suddenly he clutched
his nephew and hurried him to the
door, then down In the pathway, where
he faced him about before the two
fruit trees.
'This one." said his uncle. waving
his right hand much as II he were in
Producing duchess, "is Miranda Sweet,
and this one" wave to the left and a
frown, "is Miranda Sour"
Herbert smothered a desire to laugh.
"Oh! Named after my aunt?"
"Jest so! Them two are seedlin's.
an 1 planted 'em the spring she went
away. It's mighty queer that they
come true ter the names I give 'em!
As ter her goin'-that wuz n misunder-
standin'. She's got prop'ty of her own.
about ez much ez I own, an she's
Nvin' on it ten miles away. l aint"-
he choked a little-"I amt seen her
sence that spring mornin' when she
an me had it out in the kitchen. l
watched her bunnit go round the turn,
an'-an' l amt heard a word of her
'cept what the neighbors let drop"
"Since she's only ten miles away"
said Herbert with all the straightfor-
ward confidence Of youth, II should
60 to her and tell her 1t was just a
misunderstanding"
That's Jest what I can't do" re-
turned his uncle with extreme moodi-
ness. Every time l start, an I've
started more'n onct suthin pulls ME
back. do b'lisve it's Miranda Sour"
miranda Souri,"
when she went away, l named
them two seedlin's fer Miranda
SWctt, HIS NOltc ldlteIcu, W
me of how purity she looked the day
she an me stood up before the preach
er. She was the pink cheekedest and
softest eyed gal in the hull village
then.
II named that tree Miranda Sour"
the old man went on doggedly, ito
mind me how set an contrary your
aunt kin be when she's a inclination
that away! That tree has got all OF
Miranda's aggravatinest ways-the
eery way them leaves firt at ye IL
Jest perzactly like the fling Miranda
could give them skirts OF hern when
she was swishin' past ye an wouldn't
listen to reason"
Herbert hit Miranda Sour a sharp
blow with stick.
II wish a worm would gnaw you. l
wish hurricane would blow you
down."
"No sich luck" said Jonas In tones
which expressed certain mOurnful
pride in his forecasting. mo sich
luck. She'll keep on a-growin', an
Miranda an me will keep on gittin'
furder an furder apart"
Herbert looked round furtively. then
sidled up to his uncle.
"Cut her down." he whispered, one
eye on Miranda Sour to see IL she over
haar I'd