People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1897 — IN THE HEART OF THE HILLS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IN THE HEART OF THE HILLS.

By SHERWIN CODY

•'Oh, Alec has come hack f" cried Flo and Bessie together os they ran to meet him, and Jim smiled a welcome. One little girl took one hand and the other the other hand, and they would have asked him innumerable questions, but something serious in his face stopped them. So they looked at him intently to see what the matter was. . He said he had something to tell them if they would come into the parlor with him. He sat down in a chair by the front window and put an arm about each little girl as they stood on either side of him, while Jim stood with dignity directly in front of him, almost touching his knees. “What is it?” asked Flo impatiently. “Has anything happened?” “Yes,” said Alec. “Something sad has happened. ” “What is it?” asked Flo again, but the others were silent and fearfnl. “ Your papa has gone to heaven. ” “Is he dead?” said Bessie, looking at Aleo with great round eyes. “Yes, he is deadl” answered Alec. There was silence for a moment or two. Then Flo, with childish but innocent heartlessness, asked: “Is that all you had to tell us?” “Isn’t that enough?” answered Aleo solemnly, perhaps a little shocked. “Yon won’t see your papa any more. He’s gone, and he won’t come back again. Aren’t you sorry?” He looked up at Jim and saw great tears in the boy’s eyes. The little girls looked up at him, too, and as they did so the tears rolled down his brave cheeks. Alec told Jim of the conversation with ’Lisbeth the night before and of their intention to keep on with the store if possible. He gravely wondered if he ought not to stay out of school to help. But Aleo thought that if he worked hard out of school hours that would be sufficient. It was a very gloomy household. The children tagged abont after ’Lisbeth, who had to watch her baking and every now and then receive some kind friend or neighbor who had come in to

help or to offer sympathy. Some of them brought pies and cakes, knowing that ’Lisbeth must be short with so many people to feed. The men oame too. They could not have been kinder or more solioitous. Mrs. Higgins staid in her room, but there received her friends, and gave Alec directions. She said that if it weren’t for Alec she thought she should die. It was such a comfort that he was there. Suppose he had never come to Ashton or Mr. Higgins hadn’t hired him! What would they have done now? But he was there, attending to everything, and it was a great comfort. The next day was Sunday, and of course the house was crowded with people. Alec did not go to chnrch, nor did ’Lisbeth, and several of the neighbors staid over at the tavern during the service. Then, when it was finished, many new faces appeared, persons who had not heard the news till they came to chnrch, or else had not before been able to oome and offer their sympathy. It was a hard, trying day, and at night Alec was nearly ready to drop for weariness. George had brought the coffin the day before, and all that was left of Joe Higgins had been placed in it. The coffin was a shiny black walnut veneer, and had an engraved silver plate on top, and there were six silver handles, three on each side. Some thought two would have been enough, but others agreed that Joe Higgius deserved three. The next morning the sexton might he heard digging the grave in the cemetery over across the open square. He worked away at it all the morning, and it was not finished till near 2 o’clock. The funeral was to be at 8, and even by noon the house was filled with people. Mrs. Higgins was up and dressed in mourning, for which ’Lisbeth had 6ent to Pentonville by George, and which with her own hands she had sewed and fitted that Monday morning. She also had her own black dress to trim with crape, and to fix the children. The neighbors assisted her, however, and by noon all was ready. Six pallbearers had been selected from the most respeofced men of the village. Jonathan Finchley was one. They came early and stood near the coffin, which had been placed in the middle of the parlor, with flowers over it, which neighbors had brought from their own houses or friends from a distance had sent. They were mostly white—pinks, everlastings, tea roses from hothouses. A little before 8 the minister oame. Of course he had been there before to comfort the widow and the fatherless. Aft-

'COPVacm. 1896. BV THt AtmtOft. er a short service In the house the body was carried to the church, where more poople were waiting. The last rites were read, and thq friends filed up the long aisle and past the coffin to take the last look at the dead. Alec followed respectfully and at a distance. He felt himself a stranger, for these people looked on him as an outsider, a "hired man.” They had known Joe Higgins for 50 years, from the time he was a baby in arms. This was a newcomer, and it was impossible to be intimate with him. ’Lisbeth and Mrs. Higgins stood by the grave, each holding the hand of a little girl, with Jim near them, as the clergyman said, “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. ” Then the soil was shoveled in, and it was all over. They walked back, Aleo respectfully following behind. Kind sympathizers still condoled with them, but most of the oompany hurried away now that all was finished, whipping np their horses with spirit as they drove away. The friends from a distance returned to the house and ’Lisbeth prepared supper for them, and then one by one they drove away. By 10 o’clock Alec, Mrs. Higgins, ’Lisbeth and the children were left alone in the parlor. CHAPTER XVIII. ALSO RECEIVES A CALL FROM JONATHAN FINCHLEY. Mrs. Higgins was so tired she couldn’t cry any more. ’Lisbeth’s face was hollow and distressed. So it was all over. On the morrow a new life must begin for Aleo, with new responsibilities. First the accounts of the store must be looked into, and legal formalities, which he did not understand, gone through with. The sun was already shining brightly when Aleo clambered down the stairs the next morning, bnt the house seemed to have a deserted stillness. Not even ’Lisbeth was np yet. He went through the familiar dining room, that nevertheless had now a changed air abont it, ont into the store. The blinds were tightly fastened over the windows and the outer door. The store bad a slightly chilly atmosphere, and there was a close odor which, in Aloo’s fancy, had a connection with the grave. Joe Higgins was gone and never again would sit on the old settee and amuse the boys, or lie at full length upon the counter, listening to the day’s gossip. And there was no master now, whose judgment oould be asked, on whom responsibility should rest. Aleo opened the outer door, took down the blinds and with energy fell to sweeping the floor as be bad been accustomed to do. But when that was done, he looked about conscious how little he knew of the way to manage affairs. When the sugar was low, Mr. Higgins ordered more, but of whom, or how, or what he paid, Aleo had never known. The selling, where all the townspeople were obliged to come and buy when in need, was obviously of much less importance than’the buying. But here was his chance. He determined then and there that he would not let it slip. The old regime was ended and a new one must begin. The books must be overhauled? an executor appointed— George Marston, Aleo decided—and the townspeople must be shown at once that the store would be carried on with renewed vigor. No lapsing neglect should encourage an interloper to start a new store and ruin the business value of tbis, on the success of which so much depended. For some time past he bad heard ’Lisbeth in the kitchen getting breakfast as usual, it was a comfort to think that she could always be depended on. There would be no moments of distraoted weakness in her, and Alec determined that there shonld be none in himself. ’Lisbeth should be appointed postmistress, as she was how the assistant, and a girl should be hired to help her with the kitchen work, fie would insert an advertisement that very day in the Pavonian Gazette.

About 7 o’clock ’Lisbeth came to the door and said mechanically: “Breakfast is ready. ” She had been weeping, and her eyes were still filled with tears. But as she looked about the store her face brightened with the perception of Alec’s faithfulness. She said nothing, but stood looking hbout, for a moment till Alec was by her side, waiting to go through the door. Mr. Higgins had always left the store without attendance during breakfast, and though Aleo had some doubts as to the wisdom of it he followed the old custom this morning. He thought that when they had a servant she oould stay in the store. That she would expect to sit at the table with the rest of the family never entered his | mind. Mrs. Higgins did not appear, but as Alec and ’Lisbeth entered the dining room the children oame clattering down the stairs. When breakfast was nearly finished, j Mrs. Higgins oame, but her manner was •o solemn that the children were frightened, and no one spoke a word. “What do you intend to do with the store?” asked Aleo at length, to open the conversation. “Oh, don’t ask me,” responded Mrs. Higgins in a weeping voioe. “You and ’Lisbeth can do whatever seems best. ” “I suppose there ought to be some law proceedings?” said ’Lisbeth in an inquiring tone to Alec. “I don’t know anything about such things. ” “Shall 1 ask George Marston to do

wnatever la neoesaaryr- asxea ajoc, hjuu Mrs. Higgins immediately responded: "Ota. yes; ask George. He will do anything, and I’d rather have George than any one else. ** When Aleo left the table, he went ont to the blacksmith shop. George was at work on a wagon wheeL "Fine morning,” said George. "Come in and have a seat" "I wanted to speak to you a moment if 1 could,” said Alec. George responded, “Certainly,” and immediately led him up stairs, where they oould be in private. The little rough garret was filled with boards and iron rods and various carpenter’s tools. “Sit down,” said George, pointing to a tool chest, while he took his place on a low box. He was much more at his ease here within his own domain than Aleo had ever seen him at the store or on the expedition to the mountains, and this difference in manner disconcerted him a little at the beginning. But as George sat silent, waiting for him, he managed to speak. “I wanted to see if you would be willing to attend to the legal proceedings necessary over at the store?” “What are they going to do \yith the store?” inquired George, lookihg sharply at Aleo, and Alec felt George wished to know what he intended to do himself. “I think we’d better keep it on if we can. I thought we might freshen the business up a little, and ’Lisbeth and I could carry things on for awhile. Don’t you think so?” George accepted the post of legal adviser and said he would go down to Pavonia that afternoon and see what steps were to be taken. Before he went he would drop in to see Mrs. Higgins and ’Lisbeth. There was muoh curiosity in the neighborhood as to what would take place now that Joe Higgins was dead. Aleo was at onee recognized as an important factor in the affair. Some wondered if he might not marry ’Lisbeth and settle down there. Others suggested that he would buy out Mrs. Higgins and marry some one, any one, not necessarily ’Lisbeth. Aleo spent the day in the store looking over books and papers and trying to think what should be done. But about 8 o’clock in the afternoon he had a special visitor, no other than Jonathan Finchley. Mr. Finohley came in and asked for a piece of When he had received it, he out some up, rolled it in his band and put it into his pipe. Then he asked for a match and began to smoke. He was very deliberate, and Aleo stood respectfully, waiting for him. “Be yon goin to run the store?” asked Mr. Finohley after a time. Alec hesitated, for he was far from snre whether the idea of his managing the store would be received with favor or not.

“Nothing has been settled yet, ” he answered after an embarrassing pause. “But you have an idee you may be put on to manage, ain’t you?” Mr. Finchley took a seat on the top of a barrel, and his manner assured Alec, who stood behind the counter, that the old gentleman had something serionß on his mind. “I may say,” Mr. Finchley went on after a time, “that some of us old ones was thinkin about puttin in another store here. Joe Higgins was a good sort in his way, but he ain’t run things exactly to my idee, or the idee of some others, and we cal’lated to put in a new store here, just to smartin things up a bit in town. “Bnt what I cum to say was that if you be goin to take holt and run things here in a smart way, so’s to do credit to the town,,you know, why I, for one, would be agin a new store, and I reckon nobody else would do anything if I backed out.” He paused, glanced at Alec, and observed that the young man was looking at him in astonishment. “I reckon you know more about rnnnin a store than abont mowin,” said Jonathan, dropping his eyes and chuckling to himself. ‘‘ I ain ’ t nothin against you on that account.” he went on after another panse, but without looking up at Aleo.

The young man felt that he must say something, though Jonathan Finchley smoked on as if he were in no hurry. “It would kill the business.if another store were started,” Aleo said at last. “Exactly,” remarked Jonathan, puffing with vigor. “I think the store might be managed so that it would satisfy all parties,” Alec went on. “Itcud,” said Jonathan briefly. “And if I stay here I shall do all I can to make it a success.” “I hev an idee you cud do it. ” “I haven’t any idea what Mrs. Higgins and—and—’Lisbeth would do if I didn’t stay,” he also said. Jonathan winked at the mention of ’Lisbeth and said he reckoned they’d have a hard time of it without him. “Don’t you be bashful, young man. You just go in, and I’ll bet 20 dollar bills on you all the way around. ’ ’ He rose from his seat, brushed the sawdust from the seat of his trousers and let them down for comfort, knocked the ashes out of his pipe and said: “Got any cornmeal?” Jonathan Finchley had never bought cornmeal at the store before, an t a little meditation showed Aleo thetuii meaning of this last significant inquiry Alec said they had, and Jonathan look a bag, which he helped Alec to throw into the back of his light Concord wagon. He climbed up to the seat, said a brusque “Good day!” and drove away, Alec stood on the veranda ste; s til! he was out of sight, and then returned to the store in a state of the greater! ex oitement. Going straight to the back door he said: “ ’Lisbeth* what do you sr; pose: Jonathan Finch ley has been hero and bought a bag of meaL” “I’ve heard that he and some other men were going to start a new score,” she said. “Yes,” said Alec, “he came in to tell me he intended to baok out, and lie guessed it wouldn’t be started. ”

XZ Jonatoan mncniey -was going so stand by them, that meant the town would be on their Bide. Both Aleo and ’Lisbeth had had some doubts as to whether they would be considered old enough for such a responsible post Aleo bad more confidence than ’Lisbeth by far, for she knew the, way of oonntry Tillage publics, who have very decided ideas on matters within their own control, and this obviously was one. , But if Jonathan Finchley was for them the others would have to come around. The next question was how the finances stood. If Mr. Higgins had left no capital, it would be hard work to restock the store as Aleo wished to da Bat he did not think of any such possibility as this, or if he did think of it he brushed it quickly away. Matters must be looked into as soon as possible in order that they might make a beginning of the new regime at once. He wanted to send an advertisement to the Pavonian Gazette for a servant girl, but 'Lisbeth refused to allow that till matters were settled and they knew where they Btood. “Perhaps there won’t be any money to pay the girl,” she said, but Aleo said: “Then we’ll make some.” ’Lisbeth smiled' and said they’d sea She kept steadily at her work, and Aleo wondered what she was thinking. He felt sure she must be formulating some plan. George Marston started for Pavonia by the stage that afternoon and wonld not return till the day after the next. In the meantime Aleo would have to wait in patience, bnt he kept thinking over that visit of Jonathan Finchley and the purchase of the bag of meal so strangely significant. CHAPTER XTX A FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION AND A DEPUTATION OF LADIES. As Aleo thought about the advertisement and an assistant for ’Lisbeth, it flashed across his mind one day that here was a chance for Maud. It had troubled him to think that such a good girl should lead such a confined life, and that, too, at the hands of her mother. But would her mother let her go? Or would she oome without her mother’s consent? What penalty had been visited on her for that visit of his which he still recalled with peculiar pleasure. He had kept the dollar bill as a sort of remembrance of her, and now he was inclined to think he had hurt her feelings by returning it in the first place. He should have found -some more delicate way. In his delight at the idea be had conceived he wanted to write to her at once and ask-her if she wonld coma But he decided to wait until things were more settled in relation to the financial standing of the store. ’Lisbeth refused to take any step whatever until the books were examined and they knew just where they stood. Aleo was impatient with her and scolded her a little, bnt she remained stolidly obstinata In his mind be laid out his career. He wonld work hard in the store this winter and get the trade that now went to neighboring towns and villages. With the money saved he would improve the tavern and provide suitable accommodations for summer boarders. Perhaps some time a great hotel might stand on the spot of this old store. George came over the next evening and reported the results of his visit to Pavonia. He said it would take several weeks for the probate court to move, and he brought forms for ’Lisbeth and Mrs. Higgins to sign, petitioning for the appointment of himself as executor. He thought there would be no trouble, however, and he advised that Mr. Higgins’ books and papers be thoroughly examined at once, and after that the business be carried on as seemed best, without waiting for legal formalities. Whatever was done could be legalized afterward.

’Lisbeth agreed that an immediate examination of the condition of affairs was the first great thing, for she wanted to know just how much or little money there was. If there was little, Ehe didn’t want to waste any of it by spending it at first as if it were mnoh, and if there was more than they expected it would be a relief to her mind at least to know it. The next morning George Marston came over early, and Alec shut the front door, pinning up a half sheet of note paper, with the words written: “Closed for examination. Open 12 to 1.” The opening of an hour was for the mail. ’Lisbeth decided to serve the family with cold meals and give her whole attention to this business. All the books of the store were spread ont on the counter, and ’Lisbeth brought the little tin trunk that held Mr. Higgins’ most private papers. The old deal desk he wrote on, which was built upon the end of the counter next the postoffioe boxes, was emptied of its contents, a most miscellaneous mass of papers, and then the work of sorting, calculating and reckoning up went on busily. They found a deed of some land in Dakota that might or might not be valuable, but it proved to be mortgaged for nearly as much as it cost. There was a deed of the lot in the cemetery where the owner now lay buried, find that was all the real estate he seemed to possess. There was a reoord of $ 100 deposited in a savings hank in the name of ’Lisbeth, which he had evidently provided for the emergency of his death. Then there was the store business. Mr. Higgins had kept a small bank account, and there seemed to be a little over SIOO now on deposit, but nearly the whole of it was owing to the wholesale dealers from whom he bought his stock. There was a mass of bad debts owing from the country people for groceries sold on account, but George Marston knew very few collections could be made. The quarter’s rent of S4O was overdue, and the only provision for its payment seemed to be the deposit in the savings bank. Evidently all that was left to the family was the depleted etook of the store and the good will of the bnsiness, which might together be reckoned at S3OO perhaps. But half that sum ought to be spent at once to put the business in good shape. The ao-

counts showed that it had paid S7OO to i SI,OOO a year net profit. f They did art finish the examination | till late that night, but for some hours the approximate outcome was apparent About 9 o’clock George Marston, after whispering to Aleo that he was willing to advance SIOO if ’Lisbeth wonld aooept it, went home on foot with scarcely any other good by. Aleo was disappointed, for he fancied he saw all his dreams fading. Certainly his plans would have to be readjusted. ’Lisbeth was simply stolid, and said it was about what she expected. After George waß gone she left the store, and Alec shut up the blinds and locked the outer door; When he came into the dining room, she took up a small oil lamp and said she was going to bed. ’Lisbeth had told Mrs. Higgins the result and file had al- \ ready gone, muttering to herself that Joe never was a good manager. The next morning after breakfast Aleo deoided that the first thing that ought to be done was to circulate a petition addressed to the postmaster general, asking for the appointment of ’Lisbeth as postmistress. He told’Lisbeth what he was going to do and asked her to look after the store while he took it around to various influential persons. The first man he went to was Jonathan Finohley, who grumbled at being asked to sign a petition against his own political party. *‘Bnt ’Lisbeth isßtrictlynonpartisan, ’’ said Alec. “I suppose we’ll have to say so,” he answered. “If my conscience rebukes mefor the that ” (TO BE CONTINUED.)

Digging the grave in the cemetery.