Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-02-11

are all there Is left, and you must let
me help you. What Is 1t about Maple
wood2"
1T was sold long ago. Your Uncle
Richard owed money and let the dear
old place go. II took everything.
Poor Richardr'
The boys own face had grown color
less now; terrible suspicion was In
his mind.
"what place is thls?" he asked fear
fully.
But with that heartbroken cry in
his ears the boy forgot everything else
all his hopes and expectations and
longlngs.
Never mind, grandmother" he said
lovingly. You have me, and | am
almost man, l will soon make an
other home for you"
"Poor Jacky boy! You are young yet
and do not know how hard the world
Is. And 1t Is more for you than my
self care"
II am seventeen" he answered stur-
Oily as he drew his strong young fig
IRE to its full height. 81 went with
father to his work In the mountains
every day, and he said was the
strongest boy of my age he ever saw.
l shall soon make a nice home for
you"
Never mind its being nice, Jacky.
A howell or oodshed-anythIng to get
away from here. And II viii not cost
so much to live You have no idea
how little we can get along with--we
two" Her eyes were shining now,
and the color was coming back into
her cheeks. I'll was afraid that l
should have to live here always"
When the rest OF the women began
to file In from the Kitchen the two
were standing by the window, talking
earnestly.
John picked up his hat
an come and see you as often as
can, grandmother" he said as he
moved toward the door, and 1t will
not be long before | have II home for
you"
As he went down the lane he could
not help contrasting his prospects with
those of the boy who had passed there
short half hour before.
He thought of the long talks that he
and his father had had about his flu
ture-t the studies and college life and
the work to be done afterward.
Neither Of them had ever dreamed
Of the possibility OF his relatives being
unable to provide for him, And here
he was penniless and his supposed
wealthy grandmother IN the poorhouse.
He almost felt glad that his father
was dead and could not know.
At the head of the lane he paused
and glanced back nj the rambling farm
house and It's outbulldlngs.
poor grandmother" he said aloud
II must not keep her waiting very
long"
Although II was stlll Mnrch. the sun
was hot and the snow nearly gone.
Here and there In the fields he could
see farmers beginning their spring
work-plcking up stones and mending
the walls and fences
After awhile he went across to one
OF the groups aud asked for work.
But he was too late. The furmer Ind
already hired all the help he wanted.
A little farther on he tried again Al
last he found man who said he was
just the sort OF boy he had been look.
ing for
One day In the latter part OF April
farm wagon drove up to the poor
house, and n boy sprnng lightly to the
ground.
Sitting on the stone wall was the
same man he had met before. SLOUGH
ing across the barnyard were several
Of the dilatory hands
"Fve come for Mrs Carter" said the
boy respectfully.
The man took straw from his
mouth.
"Well, | don't mind" he answered
grufiiy "D'ye think you can support
herY
yes"
where ye goin'T"
"I'm working on the Taylor farm.
and we're going to have the little
house in the lower PASTURE"
"Thatw contemptuously "Why, no.
body's lived In II for years. faint
1T to live In
i've fixed up "a couple OF rooms 80
they'll do very well" replied the bOJ
quietly, "and Mr.. Taylor says he will
have 1t repaired before another winter
He Isn't going 10 charge Ms any rent
until he has It fixed"
Shouldn't think he would What
does he pay your
Three dollars a week and let's me
have a big garden where raise all
the vegetables want"
HIN! Well. that's pretty fair wages
for boy. II ye're clOst ! guess We
can rub along. An / calclate the old
lady will be mighty glad to git away"
He watched the boy as he went
across the yard and into the house.
Then he hurried his tardy workmen
into the field.
When the old farm wagon ratified
down the lane he was mending a gap
in his line wall but he found time 10
straighten up and gaze at them M they
rode away.
The boy was clad In rough Jacket
and blue 0veralls that showed many
stains Of the brown earth he was be.
coming familiar with. The old lady
had fine shawl OF some ancient Pat.
tern around her shoulders.
The man gazed after the wagon until
II had disappeared from sight.
at beats all natrr' how some folks
IL contented" he soliloqulzed Ms he
turned away. Them two's as pleased
NJ though they was In a carriage In