Fred S. Lincoln

“ They were waiting for Landy. The pause was too prolonged. She moved just a little and then, unable to wait longer, she flew to the door, threw it open joyously and grabbed Gyp with all the impetuous gladness in her heart.
"Bless your heart!" she said, snuggling her face into the great hood Gyp wore.
"My land!" said Martin. "How you scare a body. I 'low it's us as is th' ones surprised!"
"Oh! it just seems too good to be true," she said, hugging Martin in turn, drawing them into the house and looking expectantly for Landy. ”

“ Every year winter seems to come a few days later, and this year it was after New Year's a long time before it came, but it is here now in real earnest. Everything is a foot below the snow, and cold—my gracious! it would make you shiver to look out of the window into the blue air. Warm weather seems a hundred years off. It seems terrible to have nothing to do but think quietly for so long, shut in from all the folks you know. ”

“ She cleared a space with the warm palm of her hand, stooping to look out at the brilliant yet dull landscape. Everywhere was snow—the bushes were submerged, although they served to break the line of the otherwise even surface. The gate-posts were capped with loads that hung askew, and she observed them closely, attempting to find a difference in the twin garments. ”

“ But I cannot believe that I could go among all the war things that you say are there and be happy, because I should be always thinking of the young men and boys who are trained to shoot and be shot. I should think they would want to dance and be gay all the time that they can to keep from worrying. Do they grow old soon? ”

“ The month's sacrifice appealed to her as short enough at best, and she would not break her resolve, however much Harvey's letters tempted her from her purpose. But to-day she took them back into her life with welcoming relief and set her thoughts at work forming a reply.
"You are the one person in your community who seems to know that there is more in the world than Broom County," he had written. She looked over the lines a second time. The pleasure of his having exalted her above her people was tinged with a doubt, though it served as an inspiration, and she began to write. ”

“ Gyp's face brightened expectantly. Returning she handed the child a large piece of gingerbread and resumed her pleasure task, tying the short ribbons into dainty bows.
"They be nothin' new much," said Mrs. George, assuming to be disinterested, but secretly elated with her opportunity for gossip. "The Craigs is sick—all 'cept Millie, an' th' postoffice has a'most b'n runnin' itse'f. They've got the croup mostly. It do beat me th' trouble they're allus a-havin' an' th' way that Millie Craig carries on 'sif her pa hadn't 'nough t' pester th' life outen him as 'tis. How's your pa?" ”

“ Martin resumed warmly, drawing Gyp to the hearth and brushing the crumbs from her dress into the fire. "On'y yestiddy they wuz out galavantin' aroun' with his pa's best geldin', gettin' theirselves all wet an' near killin' th' horse. Sister Callum seen their goin's-on, an' she told me she wuz a-goin' t' tell Martha Craig jest what she thought. It's nothin' but keerlessness. Wonder t' me Millie ain't caught her death o' cold a'ready." ”

“ But tell me more of Millie. What has she been doing lately?"
"Oh, it's that Fisher young man. Their carryin's-on is scand'lous. Thet girl is a caution! Why, when the Craigs's twins hed diphtheria, there wuz no keepin' her away from other folks's young 'uns, an' I'll swan t' goodness it wuz her 'at give it t' nearly every child in th' hull neighborhood. Mostly ever'body knows how they air cuttin' their didos, an' ef her pa gets hold onto it he'll cut up his ownse'f a bit." ”