Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-05-04

Craeenstone, situated near the top
most peak OF this particular mountain,
tie early evening services were just
being completed in the meeting house,
a wooden structure that stood promi-
nently ON an elevation Of rocks and
saI.a in the center Of the village, with
its sharp steeple rising dark and stern
above the shadows of the gathering
gloom. Droning voices chanting an
anthem were heard. Then the door
was opened and the congregation filed
out in reyerent silence down the rocky
pathways leading TO their several
homes, aoddinG seriously 10 each 9th
er when the time OF parting came.
The solemn stiffness of a Puritan
Sabbath day pervaded the atmosphere,
and all felt Its influence, from old Fa-
ther Parrish, with homespun suit and
gray wool stockings, leaning heavily
On his staff, to pretty Hetty Taunston,
vino galked slowly at her mother S
side, forcing look OF seriousness on
her dimpled face and dropping her eye
lids demurely to cover the brightness
Of hor sparkling eyes as she passed
young Simon Kempster, who stood
waiting at the door, his gaze intent
upon har. GlstIess Iauaston. her pest
gray bonnet projecting well over her
austere countenance and tied securely
under her chin, rested her hand proud
Iy on the arm Of her son Josiah, who,
tall, spare end grim gisaaed suode OF
Ia silence, the grave solemnity OF his
manner giving evidence Of his firm be-
lief in the strict and narrow teachings
Of the Puritan sect to which he be-
longed.
The mist Of the day had lifted, and
through the breaking clouds overhead
an early evening star was bravely en-
deayoring to send down a gleam to
tighten the path Of the wayfarer when
mother and son entered the gateway
before taeir nome, a low, rambling
farmhouse built securely OF logs and
cement. Pausing at the door, Mistress
Taunston, with her hand ON the latch,
bent forward and looked down the
dark roadway with seaEchipA gIancl,
.:Hsttyl That trinins maid" she
exclaimed In tone Of veXatlon. II
should not ha' granted her request to
walk with Cynthia camett, for ] might
ha' known the twain would loiter on
the way, indulgirg In .di. CHATTER and
forgetting the holy day"
"Fret not, mother" Taunston said in
a r~pcIIant voice, horsii aud dI5cordalit.
IT, Tor. fT y Cl. .trtf =
dampness OF the night No harm can
befail the girl, who doth but desire to
exchange greetings quietly with her
friends"
Accustomed to do her sons bidding
at the slightest word, his mother lifted
the latch, ana soon the hlckering light
yt seyeraI CANDLES disclosed the living
room Of the farmhouse-the large kitch-
en-.
Throwing his hat and cloak on a
bench near at hand, Taunston sank
into a seat on the high backed settla
"a Tue chimney place, stretching out
his legs shiveringly TO receive the heat
from the burning logs, observing hla
mothers movements III silence as she
removed her bonnet and cap, then
drew forward small pine table, scrub
bed 10 shining whiteness, and laid a
Bible upon It. Seeing that she we1
about "a become absorbed IN reading
the customary evening chapter. he OBJ
served suddenly, with an Ill concealed
attempt at carelessness, "Our cousin
Margaret must be on her way by now.
mothep."
Her missiye sent to us by special
messenger doth state that she arrived
safely In London" his mother replied,
lifting her glance from the page, "and
that she would proceed on h.r way
speedily. The frost coming out Of the
roads aud recent heavy rains combine
TO make travelling tedious, MS thou dost
know, Josiah. But / expect within the
week TO welcome thy cousin bnck 70
the village Of bcr birth :.
She shook Lec head. signing dole
rully, ~ wot twill be but sad home
coming for the maid, with no father
bere TO greet her"
Her house and lands are In rcadi-
ness for her TO take possesslon," Io-
siah ipterposed grayeV.
AYE. thou hast been n good steward,
my son." she replied "since thine un.
Gle, showing rare wisdom In his dying
hour. chose thee to manage his daugh-
ter's estate"
She sat erect in her chair, speaking
earnestly.
For YhC Ia thls rocky country hath
broader pasture lands, better sheep
aud cattle. finer hotsetiesh. an' whose
hlrellngs are trained 10 labor with
more economy and speedi In the two
years thou hast been In charge Of her
estate, Josiah, thou hast proved thysclf
untlrlng IN thy zeal and wort..X,a
4 Lad 10y yeat1y stipend that was
not ungencrous, mother"
Thou hast been faithful and jealous
for thy cousins interests" his mother
asserted, with stern omphuSis, ais1x-
Earding Lls observation entirely, .'an'
fhou should have "A reward, my son.
Forsooth. thou art entitled 10 a Fieh re-
ward, abe repeated
The ungainly fellow moved uncasily
on the settlc, dull red glow Of color
mounting 10 his forehead.
Lately ha' thought" he said, with
slight hesitation, "that mayhap our
cousin Aiasaret would be much chang
"a after her long saJourn In France.
Bolike ehc may return to find Us dull
ana our ways too quiet for her taste
Have such thoughts Ger come TO thy
mind, nOtherf'
Nay, not 10 speak on" she replied,
for | know that thy cousin viii real
lze her obligations 20 tnce aud nuless
her carly teachings are entirely swept
away viii heed the advice Of her aunt
and listen 10 her counselH with re-
epect.'
She raised bee haud ana sbooll her
nnger sterniy.
But think not II was with my con
sent that Andrew Maryland sent Mar
garet away 10 his sister In Paris" she
said. there to remain until she was
twenty-one. | tell thee Josiah. taat
Andrew Wropsed h'g oriiy child, who
anould have been raised there In yon.
der gray stone house. built by her
grandfather, aud allowed 10 grow to
womanhood among Ter own kind and
in the God fearing ways Of her k!ns-
folk. Education, forsootb! Can Hetty
not read and write and DO her number