Anna E. S. Droke

“ Metzger told Crazy Bill and his wife of the Christmas that was in prospect for the children at Lonesome Ranch. “And never a thought for herself, mind ye. She ’s forty, if she’s a day, the little old mother.”
Just before leaving, kind old Frau Metzger, with her basket on her arm and wrapped in a great blanket cloak, went into the room where Mary Ellen was by this time sleeping and bent over the cot. She thought of another little girl of long ago, back in Germany, and her kind old heart went out to this lonesome American child. ”

“ Mary Ellen flew to her work with a light heart. “Two pounds of butter a week. I can safely count on old Muley for that. I know I can save one pound each week while father is gone, Butter is twenty-five cents a pound. I ’ll ask Mrs, Aletzger to let me go with her when she goes to La Junta to market. Two pounds of butter at twenty-five cents a pound—fifty cents. I must have two oranges, two big red apples, white sugar enough to make some little cakes and frost ’em. ”

“ John Morton was a carpenter owning a little cottage and earning a fair living in the little Indiana town; but the desire to own a farm was upon him, so he sold his little home and, buying an outfit, set out for the unknown land. ”

“ I’ll keep ’em safe.” Frau Metzger opened the great ulster and tucked them safely inside it.
Responsibility gone, the child began to relax. She dreamed that the great brown ulster had opened and swallowed her bodily, and she was just nestling down so warm and comfortable, when she was aroused by a vigorous shaking, only to sink again into blissful repose. ”