Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-01-25

| low Sne cOulu near uuckS Qudckln3,
now and then a barnyard monarchs
defiant crow, from farther away CAM
the ripping sound OF running water,
and as she lay and listened to the
medley, a robin lit on the treetop not
ten feet away and chirped as he peered
into her window. A scent of lavender
mingled with apple blossoms became
noticeable; then the few and very old
fashioned fittings of the room,--a chest
of drawers with little brass handles,
over it a narrow mirror with gilt
| frame, two wood-seated chairs painted
blue, and white muslin curtains draped
away from the window
And now, conscious that she was in
some strange place, back in an instant
came the three days of her long,
weary tramp, the nights when she had
slept in a sheep barn and in deserted
dwelling. and at last faint. footsore,
and almost hopeless. she had been reg
cued from another night with only the
Sky for a roof
Then the quaint old man, so much
like Old Cy, whom she had accosted,
the rafting. humping ride down into
this valley, and the halt where
CHEEKY light beamed its welcome and
a motherly woman made it real.
1t was all SO unexpected so satisfy
Ing SO protective of herself, that Chip
could hardly realize how it had come
about.
No questions had been asked of her
here. These two quaint old people
had taken her as she was-dusty, dirty
and travel-wOrn. She had bathed and
been helped to an ample meal and
shown to this understanding room as
il she had been their own daughter
They must be awful kind sort e.
people" Chip thought, and then creep
ing out of bed she dressed, and taking
her stockings and sadly worn shoes in
hand softly descended the stairs.
No one seemed astir anywhere. Tho
ticking of tall clock in the sitting
room was the only sound, the back
door was wide open, and out of this
Chip passed, and seating herself on
a bench, began putting on stockings
and shoes. This was scarce done ere
she heard step and saw the old man
emerge from the same door
Wal, Pattycake, how air YEP" he
asked smiling. Il heerd we creepin'
| downstairs like a mouse, but / was up,
n bout dressed. Hope ye slept well.
It's Sunday" he added, without wait
ing for a reply, AN we don't git up
quite so arly ez usual. Ye can help
Mandy bout breakfast now, if we like,
n III do the milkin'.'
And this marked the entry of Chip
into the new home, and outlined her
duties. No more questions were
asked of her. She was taken at her
own valuations needy girl, willing
to work for her board, insisting on it,
and yet, in few days, so hospitable
were these people and so winsome was
Chip, that she stepped into their af-
lection, as it were, almost without
effort.
II don't think we best quiz her
much" Uncle Jud Gas he was known
said to his wife that first night. 81
found her on the top O Bangall hill,
where she riZ up like ghost. She
lowed she run away from somewhat,
but where twas, she didn't want to
tell. My pinion is thar's love fair
at the bottom ont all; but whether it's
so or not, it amt none o our business.
She needs home, sartin sure. She
says she means to airn her keep, which
is the right sperit, an long as she
minds us, she kin have it,
That Chip ARMED her keep" and
something more was soon evinced, for
in two weeks it was Aunt Mandy"
and Uncle JUDI from her, and Patty"
or "Pattycake," the nickname given
her that first morning from them.
! More than that, SO rapidly had she
won her way here that by now Uncle
Jud had visited the Riggsville store,
| some four miles down this valley, and
materials for two dresses, new shoes,
a broad sun hat, and other much-need
ed clothing were bought for Chip.
Neither was it all one-sided, for
these people, well-to-do in their iso-
lated home, were also quite alone.
Their two boys had grown up, gone
away and married, and had homes OF
their own, and the company of a
bright and winsome girl like Chip was
needed in this home.
Her adoption and acceptance of it
were like small stream flowing into
a larger one, for the reason that these
people were almost primitive in loca-
ton and custom.
I'VE don't go to meetin' Sundays"
| Uncle Jud had explained that first day
after breakfast. Were sorter heath
en-, spose; but then ag'in, thar amt
no chance. Thar used to be meetin's
down to the Corners. n parson; but
he only got four hundred year, an
hard work to collect that, n SO he gin
the job up. Since then the meetin-
house has kinder gone to pieces, n