The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1912-05-13

which was perplexing to me-
Where had Miss Ellen mas
c.9 tered the p,ano7 and why was
BUD, with the apparent educs ton OF
cultured gentleman. wearing jeans and
ooIne the ploughwork in the fields? l
hah begun to weary Of conjecture when
MISS Ellen returned and offered to show
me the View from the cupola. 1t was
weary climb to the top of that old
mouse, but one felt repaid on reaching
there as the panorama unfolded Itself
in the moonlight. The moon was but a
fortnight old and the night cloudless.
Miss Ellen, pointed out to me the field
where the army OF Sherman had
campcd on its famous march to the
Sea. but had not a word Of criticism
10 make Of that great general. She
told me OF the strong young manhood
that was developing to regenerate the
land. and seemed to think the freedom
( Of the slaves a blessing to both people.
She promised to take me to the negro
settlement some day and show me how
they lived.
She had a Sunday-school there OF coll
ored girls. for she said, 1T Is going
20 be through the mothers Of the
eo'ored race that We will some day
I reach II and elevate II 10 what Is good
and moral" | stood speilbound. as It
we're. by her earnestness and faith.
and all my prcconcleved opinions began
to fall away under the influence OF this
little. brown-eyed girl in q Bingham
gown.
Z That night after 7 retired to my
room the instincts Of the newspaper
man. which had lain dormant since ar
giving at the Pines. began to stir. and
] could not help thinking what a pic
ture this household would make II held
up before Boston audience. But to
turn these kindly people into an object
lesson would be the basest ingratitude.
Yet, put this idea from me as l would.
Il would recur to me during the night,
and scene after scene. with Ellen and
Bud always In the foreground. kept
0hiftlng themselves across the mental
canvas, and argue as I would that to
make use OF this homely life with its
poverty and pride. its dign!fied endur-
ance OF changed conditions. as the sub
5ect of a news letter would be an III re.
turn for the hospitality I had received,
yet I could not put aside the longing to
pen the picture as I saw II and to
paint 1t boldly. in order that others
might see II In the same light as It
had appealed to me.
The next morning ! was up early. the
sun. In fact. being only an hour ahead
Of me. Thinking II would be an excel
lent chance to see something Of the
place and study its character more In
detail for had become deeply in
terested In everything connected with
the Pines. I dressed hastily and started
for brisk walk A. was making
the half circuit OF the house by way OF
exploration came upon Miss Ellen,
carrying an armful OF kindl!ng wood.
''Why. Miss Turpin," I cried. II had
70 idea OF finding you up at this hour.
you forget the dual character
pisl " she laughed. II am not early
howe 'er. for It Is late. But you are
responsible for II. as you demoralzed
the household last night In encouraging
father to discuss politics. Doubtless
sou saw all his fallac!es. but We're kind
enough not to point them out to him"
4 had been much entertained. l said
though his politics appesr red to be some.
what mixed, and his ideas were quite
different from those had expected e
hear him express.
Yes" she answered. "he Is hall
Democrat and half Republican. with I
Dash here and there OF Populism. fear
but It makes him very angry to tel
him so. as he thinks himself q hide
that Henry Clay believed in protective
tar,fr. think next to Gen. Oglethorp'
he adm!res the kentucklan more thar
any of our historical characters. But
must not allow myself to be draRge,
into talking history. and since you hav,
como bothering about so early yol
must make yourself useful" She thei
showed me the woodp!le and told me t
bring enough to the kitchen to last tw,
tuil days
4 entered the kitchen with my arm
loaded down with short oak logs. Is 1
really necessary for you to do TIL!
work."
She looked with surprise at me. an
4 Thought l saw a faint color come L
the surface of her skin. but could no
tell, for she was lighting the hre. Sh
saw that was earnest In my quest!o
and, still kneeling In front OF the stove
she turned her frank face toward m
and said:
II would resent the question, MI
Palmer, did l not know that Kin
heart prompted IT, Yes she added
set Is as necessary for me to do thi
as II is for Bud to plough. OF course
YOU must have heard from your rela
tiyes that the Turpins We're greatly RI
duced The house Is heavily mortgaget
and TO meet the interest We have
save in every legitimate way. Blu
wants to hire a cook but l will nc
listen to him. Father Is determined tina
the moment he defaults on the 'ntere'
that minute he will give up the Pine
10 the owners, for such they are VIII
hold the mortgage on H. Ana on, NJ
Palmer. you don't know what II woui
mean 20 father and mother to NOV
from here now. Besides. too, we woul
be no better off, even worse. thln'
Tor we would have no place at all. Blu
and I would be glad to go into IN
world and run our chances. but It can
he thought OF. not now, she sighe
and continued to make the fire.
By degrees found out all there wa
TO be known of the family. for hei
were no skeletons there. After the wa
Al seems that Col. Turpin had lived
a reckless sort OF way, still kSping U
the style of living he had grown a.
customed to before the change Of fo
-rune IN the Southern planters life.
WAS not until Bud had iinf shed his co
l,sa course and Miss Ellen had con
nlsted her studies that the real conditio
of the family became known. 1t wa
no al 1pallV saNpI ~