The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
CHAPTER. .XXIX The Spanish stamp.


 peace fell on the stricken village Men coming from a distance founa the widows cold, almost unsvmpathetic. Unsympathetie they were-to those who visited them thus casually. They de- clined to make a spectacle of their sorrow But the ministers knew diff ferent-those who had seen to it that every week twenty shillings went into each stricken house. They encountered no hardness, fngratitude or lack of sympathy.
 Only these Scottish widows were of the Scriptural opinion that the heart knoweth his own bitterness, and that stranger intermeddleth not there with. Grave, quiet. as if making ac- knowledgement that these things came in the ordinary course of Providence such were the leading characteristics of Kirk towns sorrow
 Pumping engines, newly erected for the long labor of emptying the Pit No. 2, were already at work. The widows of the moment abode in their cottages in the long red-brick rows of Blocks K and L. but in the other pits the double shifts went to and fro as if nothing had happened.
 No, nothing was forgotten. That is not Scottish wont. But, equally. noth- ing was said.
 It was a brisk. bask, chillish day in the back end, late in November, with the wind blowing over Baltic ice when Janet Fowler received her first letter from Spain. She knew it by instinct though hitherto she had only seen the handwriting in scraps of calculations. The address on the envelope made her trouble.
 It was breakfast time. Janet was In her place at the head of the table. Little Tim brought it in. He had heard the dog barking at the postmans uni form.
 T want the stamp" he cried. "Our Jenn has got a foreign letter. I want the stamp"
 Me, too-give it to me; you don't collect, you little beast" said his low ing brother Alfred, under his breath. "Eh, what's that?' said Mir. Fowler, who was looking over the morning paper, which he used as a kind of counter-irritant for clarifying his thoughts on all subjects. If The Tartan thought one thing, he-John Fowler generally felt himself pretty safe in believing exactly the opposite. He had lived a long and honorable life, di recting himself thus. The Tartans ar- guments, clever and brilliant at times, were seldom meant to be anything but irritating. Yet each morning dreamy John Fowler read the complete series of Tartan editorials in order to rouse within himself sufficient combativeness to think out arguments tending to di- rectly opposite conclusions.
 Now, if the boys had only been quiet, he would have subsided into the mental construction of a never-to- be- written sermon demolishing the third Tartan editorial. But, presently they were all raging together, kicking each other furtively under the table, so much so that one stinging "shin- plaster" intended for Master Tim. caught his sister Violet. who, nothing loath. lifted up her voice and wept John Fowler put down his paper What Is the matter now?" he said beaming mildly through his specta- cles. These were very round and gave him, in spite of his personal beauty, slightly surprised, tn ough distinctly benevolent air.
 Then Ali and Tim explained vol ubly that Janet Goth herwise Jessie the names being interchangeable in Scot land) had got a letter from Spain that morning, and that-that-.
 But what has a letter from Spain or Kamschatka to do with Violet cry ing?" demanded the Rev. John Tow Ter.
 Because Ali" began Tim.
 Because Tim" riposted Ali.
 They are young fools father" said Raif, who was busy with his second egg. "They are always kicking each other under the table. They don't mean any harm, and Violets a goose to howl All the same, I'll punch them when I get them out-after prayers"
 rt oro -r., 4t. e and the Rev. John recognized his sons wisdom.
 "Ah, do sol" said this sage parent. He knew that, when you know your eldest son, there Is no family chastise- ment so admirable as his. Your own authority should be but a threat-a sort of final court of appeals The rest can be delegated to a wise elder son. Only, be sure of the first adjective. Well, about this letter, Janet?" said Mir Fowler, looking at his daughter. Tt Is from-from MT. Vic. That is- I think-I believe that 1t is from Mr. Morris"
 Look at our Jess" said Ali, laugh ing out loudly and fraternally. Then in his pleasant way he held one of his fingers up to her cheek, and pretended that 1t went off with the "Ph-o-o-o" of A vesta match.
 This was Master Airs method of getting even; he was not particular as to whom he got even with. Ger tainly Janet had done him no wrong "Ah, let us hear it." said the Rev. 'ohn Fowler, laying down his paper. am glad he has written. I thought
 would"
 low Janet would gladly have stolen
 upstairs with her letter to read
 the quiet of her chamber, But
 urse, her fathers request was a
 nd. Privately however, she re-
 to put the young imps who had
 this upon her, upon a very a4 even restricted diet for sev-
 2, he would say nothing par ere would be nothing in it.,
 was her letter. She had,
 fs resource
 'nk," she said hesitating-
 children-except, of
 no farther when she
 te by a volley of cries
 rH still sobbing Violet \ want to hear your old rse don't! All we asked for the stamp. and that has big black bars across it."
 "Silence" said the Reverend John his eyes sparkling through the benev- olent round goggles, and the Absolom hair waving with the up-throw of his head. If I hear word more out of your mouths, I shall have you all up into the study-to do deductionsw
 "Don't worry, father" said Raif without looking up from his plate "that will only give you a headache. Leave hem to me-after prayers!"
 And with this promise Cor threat)