¥ i i E ¥ : £ 3 . # Dew dan. Bellefonte, Pa. August 17, 1906. Silence. Silence! That's the greatest gift Man can cultivate, Sort of thing that's sure to lift Him from trouble great. When you're in the blackest hole, Getting deeper in, That's the time to keep control Of your chin. When you get into a fuss With some other chap, De not add upto the muss With a verbal rap. Hold your tongue right warily, Not a bit of slack, There'll be fewer things to be Taken back. Speeches of the quarrelscme Easily unloosed Raise the Dickens when they come Home again to roost. Nothing's harder to digest Than an acid word— Few can stand it at the best, 80 I've heard. When you sit by her you love, Heart too full to speak, — Eyes like Heaven's blue above, Dimples in her cheek, — What's the use of trying, pray, Feelings to confess, When your thoughts the words you'd say Can't express? So pretend ti. ‘* you are dumb As you w..k your way. Let your motto bright be “Mumm! Nothing for to say!" Let the other fellow show Off his cheerful chin, While in silence deep you go in and win. By John Kendrick Bangs. IDELLA AND THE WHITE PLAGUE. a ei Alive I" exclaimed Mrs. Sparrow, ropping the letter in her lap and holding up Poth bands. ‘‘Well, I never did !" Mr. Sparrow, reclining in the rocking- chair with the burst cane seas, his stocking: ed feet resting on the wooden chair with- out a back, started, opened his eyes, and jan at his wife. Lyourgus Sparrow and itba Sparrow and Edwin and Ulysses and Marguerite and Marcellus Sparrow, scattered here and there about the room,on the floor and the broken down couch, raised their eyes from school books and rag dolls, and looked at their mother. Even little Sbadrach, the smallest Sparrow in the flock, seemed interested. “I never did in this world!" repeated Mrs. Sparrow with unction. ‘Never did what?’ snapped her hus- band. ‘‘Land of love ! Hain’s you got any thought for my nerves ? Here I be a-settin’ and suflerio’, tryin’ to forgis I've got any stomach or lungs, avd you turn loose and holler like a loon. I'm all of a palsy. Youn never did what 7’ “I never heard tell of such a thing in ny born days, and you'll say so too, ashy, when I tell you. What do you 8'pose Idella’s been and gouve and doue?” ‘‘Hain’t lost her job, has she?" asked Mr. Sparrow, anxiously, sitting upright in the rocker, but bolding ou to the arms in order not to ‘‘hear down’ too bard on the broken seat. ‘No, not exactly lost it. But she's gone and—Oh, you'll never guess !' “Well, I ain’ got to guess, Lave I? 'Tain’t a conundrum. I never see sach a woman ! Out with it !| What's she done ?” ‘‘She’s gone and—"' Mrs. Sparrow paused to give the aunouncement doe weight; ‘she’s gone—and—got—married.’’ Mr. Sparrow’s stockinged feet struck the floor with a slap as their owner spraug up. “Married ?" he repeated in a shriek. His wife shut her lips au! nodded solemnly. ‘Married !" groaned Mr. Sparrow, and fell heavily back into the rocker. The remnant of cave ripped across and he eauk floorward, doubled up like a jickkuife. Then, apparently unconscious of his uo- comlortable position, he stared out between his kuees and again muttered ‘Married !" in a dismal whisper. “Yes, sir,” said Mrs. Sparrow, ‘she’s married without sayin’ a word to ue. If that aio’c jest like Idella—iodependence all over. Here, Lycurgus ! why don’t you and Edwin help your father ont of that chair ? Waut him to break his back ?" The two boys sprang to the assistance of their entrapped parent, and each, seizing an arm, pulled and tugged until they separated him from the framework of the rocker. The thanks they received were not effasive. “Leggo 0’ me!" shouted Mr. Sparrow, shoving them to one side. Tryin’ to haul me in ba'f, ain't ye? Look bere, Betsy ! Who'd that girl warry ? Has le got any money ?"’ ‘She don’t say, Washy. She jest writes that she married him, and bis name's Willian: Burke, and she met him last win- | P® ter at a dance of the Carpenter's Union. She —-'! ‘A carpenter ! A carpenter! And now she's got him ww look afrer. That's it! Work and slave and worry voursel! isto the wiaveyard hituging up children aud soon's they git big enough 10 earn some- thing, «ff they go ent marry another man.” “Bur. pa,’ broke 10 Editha, aged eight, “Idella couldn't mary you ‘cause you've got marmer “Be «till, vou sasshox sou! Makin’ fan of sour sick father and your wa vphoidin’ you in it. What's goin’ to become of us without the money that that girl's heen sendin’? What's goin' to hecome of me— me, all hut gone with consumption (cough) av most crazy with varvoos dyspepsy ? Oh 1} Betsy Sparrow hastened to interiupt and ward off the attack of “‘uerves’’ that she koew from experience was at hand, “Io's all right, Washy," she cried. “That part's all right; hetter'n ever, most likelv. Seems her hoshand has got a job buildin’ the big hotel at East Wellmouth, and him and her are comin’ down here to board with ux. Idella says they'll pay good board and she'll belp me with the house and washin' and things. We'll have more money "stead of less; don't you see?’ “Humph !"’ grunted her hushand,pash- ing a child or two out of the way and sit. ting down on the lounge; ‘‘that sonnds lovels—on paper. Weil, go abead and read us the letter Betsy read it. It was a long letter, full of gond humor and cheers optimism. Bot then, Idella had always been hopeful and happy. even when, hy virtue of rank as the eldest of Washington and Betsy Spar row’s tranpe of children, she had given np schoo! at fourteen to stay at home and Washi knew is. any one else. first married he went fishing occasionall and did odd jobs around town. developed in nervous dyepepsia and slow consumption These were sai itating. All day or sat by the fire,and impaired was te. cians bad long scoffingly prescribed a club, and old Penrose guikesed green dren told their teachers that wash “dreadlal things going. Mrs. ADE read ment. Ain't that jest li mother.” casm; “how ’bout her I'll bet there bain’t.” lot about diseases. him.” it (cough). my grave. all I ask is to git through. Think I'm a soy ” The attack news of his daughter's fell asleep on the lounge. again. there was balm in Gilead after all. Aud two days later Idella came. hioged frout gate. the children were all at home. in’ Mis. Sparrow was at home also. The all hut the afflicted Washington. ud by the couk-stove in solitary dignity. at the gate. yuu. haby ! My ! how you have grown !"’ The children blushed and grinned and real store-coat, and new, not cat down aud turned and wade over a ball-dozen times. vew likewise. crirvd Idella. would get here. you too ! Bill, come here, will you ?" Mr. Burke was hig and square-shoalder- ed and sturdy. wife's first call. It was easy to see who was “*hoss’’ in that family. wondered avd envied, carpet bag. Mr. Sparrow, by the stove, did not deign to tarn. **And there's pa!” exclaimed Ideila, running over and embracing him. ‘Why, pa! how well youn luok !" “Well I" repeated the invalid indiguant- ly, “maybe I look well, bus I tell vou-—"' “This is my husband,” interrupted Idella briskly. ‘‘Bill, shake havds with "n Mr. Barke extended a band of propor tiouat - size to the re-t «f him and mashed his father-tu-lnw’s flabby togers within ie He grosled that he was pleased to be “ac: quainted’ to Mr. Sparrow ‘How's the cough, pa?’ asked Idells, Her father gave a tombstone sample of the cough before replying. Then he oh. and he cal’tated it never wonld be, “Oh, yes it will,” affirmed his daughter. “Dr. Saunders has learned me a whol: lot of things. You'll see. Bill, open that have the presents we hroaghs em.” The ward “presents” caused even the invalid to brace up and take au interest in {hife. Ther was something for every oue; | nothing expensive, ol course, but all won. tderfal in thas family. | And now, ma,” said Idella, ‘‘Jest let we change my duds and I'll piteh 10 and help git he dinner. | hope we're goin’ to have hersin's. [ain't hada herrin’ sense 1 left Wellmouth.' That was the begicuiog Before the next week had passed it was evident that there was a new manager in the Sparrow hoasehold and the name of that manager vas Idella. She took charge of affairs at opoe aud began to wake improvements. The children all wens to school regularly, the eldest included. On Tuesdae Mr. Burke began hie lahor= at the new hotel, leaving carly in the moming and retarniog at 81x o'elock nounced that hes washing no more. She might “take in’ the anndry work if she wished, hat then it would be done ot home and she, hesell, veanla help. Mrs Sparrow protested, but i Idetin ealmly «ent ahead, saw all the regular customers aud arranged with them. When he and Betsy were wile made the mistake of going out wash- ‘“Washy’’ began to develop symptoms. He | hearth of the cook stove, took his pi succession atism, , phthisics, and 1 At iden oe uma. - tisfyingly chronic and debil- fy slept or smoked is only function not The town ven him up. Dr. Beer ¥ The ochil- was too sick to work, and Betev informed her eliadidly fuat Me Sparson was poorly. e eved it, too, poor, sell-sacrificing soul,and scrubbed and elved from morning till night to keep the long letter tbroogh, stopping occasionally to com- ‘‘Jeat listen to this,” she cried exulting- ly. ‘I guess my coming home will make ings easier for you, ma. We'll have you playing lady in the rocking chair yit.’ Idella? Ske allers used to say that. She don’t fergit her poor old ‘‘Huh !" granted Mr. Sparrow, with sar- poor old father? Ain’s no bouquets for him, is there ? No, “Oh, she ain’s forgot you nuther, Wasbhy. Here's what she says : ‘Tell pa that my livin’ in a doctor's family has learned me a I believe I can care ‘‘Yes, she'll cute mea whole lot. No, sir ! I've got my never-git-over and I know Well, the soouer the quicker. I'll be at rest pretty soon and everybody’ll be glad. Don’t rag out in no mourain’ for me. Don’t put no hot-house wreaths on I know how you all feel and I'm resiguoed. Git off my feet, you everlastin’ youog ones! | Mr. nerves developed. Mr. Sparrow felt that he and his troubles were in danger of being overshadowed by the marriage, and that i an tie oS to Shfost. He Stouss, fay ls wi and stamped and coughed and groanedgsary and you don't git it bere by the stove. and whimpered. The children fled, re) y > : 4 younger ones to bed and the others to pre- pare them for it. After a while the invalid Mrs. Sparrow sat by the table mending and darving. She took up the letter and read it through Idella was coming back. Perbaps | dren. The depot wagon reeled and bumped through the sandy ruts and up to the little one- It was a Saturday and The allow- ance of washing for thas day being ‘‘taken were all at the door to welcome the arrival, He stay- Idella jamped from the wheel and ran in “*My sakes, ma,’’ she cried, grabbivg Mrs. Spartow about the neck and kissing ber; *‘if it don’t seem good to see And Lycurgus (smack), and Editha (swack ), and Ed and 'Lys aud Nap and Margie (a smack for each), aud there's the stared adwiringly ab Idella’s jacket. A And the gay bat with the red rivhons was “If it ain't fine to see you all again,” “ Basing 2 the Ss user you or die mysell a tryin.’ Oar woodshed Mis Sparrow They went into the hoase, Bill bearing the trunk as il it was no heavier than a trunk, will you please; | want the folks to Ina fortioght Idella an-! mother was to go ond! mend and cook and sweep and tend In a month Betsy actually realized that she while ber mother wens out washing. bad time, light time, to ‘'set in the be obliged to live in Wellmouthpors the rosiiing chairs 2d Qo she mending. Idella year around is, of itself, enough to sour and serubbed and dressed the obil- the most saintly disposition; but to live in | dren. She and ber husband paid board, so Washiogton Sparrow's rattle-trap shanty | there was more money on band than ever in the woods, with the added discomfors of | before. It was wonderful, bus it was true. Mr. Sparrow’s society thrown in—that | At first the invalid viewed all these Idella had done this for years and hadn't | changes with suspicion, hut when be found lost faith in the world is the best possible | that the food was better, that he wasn't key to her character. To give up these | asked to do an, and that, more im- duties and take service as maid-of-all-work | portant than all, his ailments were ap with Dr. Saunders and bis Jamis, first at | preciated and understood, he became re- their summer home at East aod told his wile that he could il for. the children wére in bed. with dreadful hollowness. wanted it." “And lug lamber! and all tore to you want to kill me all to once ?*’ His spasm heartrending to witness. “No,” sal wao's fit to work. I'm going to try.” Don’t you worry about me. me up long spell ago. else.” I’ve got his receipt.” Idella went calmly on. is =o different. consumption ?'’ pocket and handed it to his wife. more. Not by the real doctors it ain't. Fresh air night and day is what's uecces- You ought to live outdoor. Yes, and sleep there, too.” *‘Sleep outdoor? Whas kind of talk is that? Be you crazy or—"' Idella help up a band. ‘‘Don’t screech 80, pa,’ she said. ‘‘You'll wake the chil. Bill, where's that magazine ?"’ Her hushand produced a dog’s-eared copy of a popular periodical and Idella turoed its . ‘‘Here,”” she said. ‘‘Here'sa piece about curin’ the White Plague; that means consumption. Let me read youa little of it.” Mr. Sparrow declared that he didn’t want to hear vo sach foolishness, but bis daughter laboriously spelt out extracts from the article, which epecified the dan- gers of dark rooms and confined atmos. pheres, and described Adirondack sava- toriums and open air sleeping rooms. ‘See, pa,’ she said, holding the maga- ziue hefore ber pareot’s eyes. ‘‘See that picture. That's a tent where two con- years. 'Twas thirty below zero Shere sometimes, too, bus it cored ’em. And see this one. that shanty was, bot —7" “Take it away !"” shouted the invalid. *‘if you expects we to believe sach lies as them you're—="" “They ain't lies. Dr. Saunders bad lots of patients with consumption and he cured ‘em the vame way. Aud I'm goin’ to cure out hack here is jest the place for yon. It's full of cracks and the windows are broken, He came obediently as his | *” there'll be plenty of air suierin’ Bill took the lounge out there au little while ug 3 didn't yon, Bill 2” “I thought I missed that looege !"" ex. claimed Mis Sparrow, who had been lis teutug open-mounthed. “Yes, it's there. There's plenty of bed clothes, ra you'll sleep warms. You can wear your own clothes and Bill's old over- cout and set in the sun deyemes, We'll feten you your meals You mustn't come i the house atall. If von live thas way all winter, why —"" “All winter 1? The alarmed Washington leaped to his feet. “The gal’s gone loony ! She want's to kill me so's I'l Le out of the was. I done stir one step Yon hear me? Not one step’ “Some of Dr. Saunddy’s patients talked thar way fires along,’ observed Idella, “hut they had to do what he ordered. Bill, take pa unt to the shed. I'H canry the mp Mr. Buike rose, squared his mighty served resignedls that it wasn't no betur | ghonlders, and adsaveed toward is father in law. He looked a< if he rather enjoyed the situation. “Betsy. shricked Mr. Sparrow, dodg- ing tnto a corner, “he you in this? Do you want to see me wurdered 27 Mis. Sparrow was troubled. She had implicit confidence in her davghter, but she sympathized with ber husband & infirm- ities Idella,’ she protested, “‘scems to me | wonldn't—Remem ber them nervous at- tacks he's subject 10.” “Nerves, declared Idella, “come from the stomach. [ll "tend to them later We must care his lungs. Bill, fetch him atang.” Mr. Burke's hand settled firmly on the back of the invalid’s neck. “‘Tiot along, dad,” he commanded. Mr. Sparrow fought and hung back. The other hand descend. edd and seized him by the waistband. He moved toward the door, “walking Spanish” like a #mall boy io the school vard, | Idella opened the dour. ‘Nobody can say,’ she remarked with emphasis, “that I let my father die of consumption without tryin’ tooure him, Come on, pa.” “Remember, Washy, it's all for jour Lond," faltered Betsy, wringing her hands. { The procession wosed neross the yard aed into the rickety woodshed. Idella placed the lamp in a sheltered comer on the floor Bill’ stay tl you gitto bed, pa, she | said. “Good night.” on off in peace now because he knew that parison like sitting down | she and the children would be provided Bat ove evening, early in November, his . They were seated ngton Spat was an invalid aod | in the kitchen, Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow, Bill In be knew it better than |and Idella. Lycorgus and Editha were doing sums in the front room. The rest of “Pa,” said Idella suddenly, “I don’t s’pose yon feel well enough to go to work?” Her father, seated with his feet o the rom - | his mouth aod turned an agitated to. ward his daughter. He started to speak aod then, recollecting, coughed long and “I asked,’”’ continued Idella, ‘‘'cause Bill says they need more hands to cat down trees and lug lumber over to the hotel, and be could git a job lor you any time yon . “Cut down trees !"’ shouted the sufferer. What you talkin’ ‘bout ? How long do you cal’late I'd last doin’ that? I'm elipping into the grave tast enough as tis, jest setting bere hackin’ eces with dyspepsy. Do of coughing this time was Idella, ‘I told Bill you Bat, pa, I think some- thing ought to be done to cure you and so “Care ! Hamp ! I'm past curin’, Raster. s give No, all's fh for | some free lunch which served for supper. me is to linger around and die slow. I'll be glad when it’s over and so’ll everybody “Doctois gave you up ! What doctors ? These one-hoss ones down here ? I've heen living for a year with a reel doctor and he didn’t give folks up jest ’cause they bad consumption. No, sir ! he cured em, sod “It ain't no use—'’' began Washy, hut “Your case is kind of mixed up, pa, I'm free to say,’’ she continued, ‘‘ ’couunt of your consumption being complicated with nervous dyspepsy. The cures for the two Bat I've mzde up wy | wharf till twilight he retorned home toa mind ¢) stars in on your lungs and kind of work’ round to your stomach, as you might say. Bill, where's the receipt for urke, a grim smile hovering about his lips, took a folded paper [rom his ““‘Consumption,’’ said Idella, looking at the paper, ‘‘ain’t cured by medicine no sumption folks lived and sleps for over two "Twas l[orty-five below where The woodshed door shat. The agitated sufferer looked at the bare walls, the heap of cord wood sawed and split by Lycurgus, and the loonge, commanded Mr. “Git undressed.” Burke. “Hurry up.” “1°11 freeze to death,” protested Washy. **No, you won't, not yet. Anyway freez- ing is a quick death, so they say, and ['ve heatd you hankering to die quick ever sence I got here. Git to hed ; see?" Mr. Sparrow threw off his onter gar. ments and shiveriogly encamped on the lounge Mr. Burke took up the lamp and looked at him. “Good night,’ ohserved the carpenter. Then he added : “There's one thing more 1 oaght to ray. To-morrer I'll he away io work, but you are not to come in to the house. You will stay outside same as Idel. Ia tells you. If you come in or try any funny business, why—'" he meditatively opened and closed a fi