Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-06-03

Hgnt ana glauneSS OF ner Delng seemed ueau
in her, and she moved about her house, pale
and quiet with look of patient suffering in
her once sunny eyes, that made my heart ache
to behold"
"And her husband! Did she never tell
him what she had learned?"
81 think not. His father and Lucy's died
in less than two years after the marriage
The Squire was less wealthy than people sup
posed. The next spring, Lucy and her hus-
band removed to the west, and somehow peo-
pie lost sight of them."
Sand JUSTINE"
"You know the rest my child. He be-
came moody, unhappy man, asking no SYM
pathy and giving none. But he was always
smart at a bargain, and in few years he had
laid up enough to buy out deacon Platt's
farm, when his son moved to the South.
"Ever since he has added acres to his lands
and hundreds to the banks; but for all that,
he's man soured toward all his race-a man
who was never known to give little child
smile, or beggar crust of bread. have
sometimes thought his heart was great des-
ert without tree to shade or stream to glad
den it. And yet it bore bright blossom
once; and believe me, children, for it is
the word of an old woman who has seen and
known much of the ways of man, it is so al
ways. The heart may be a great wilder
ness, but an some of ats 6y-ways there has
groaon a fower."
Cora and l looked at each other and at
uncle Charlie.
But Cora stole up to uncle and winding
her arms about his neck, whispered-"I l shall
believe it always, uncle Charlie, now l have
heard that story Of farmer Keep that there
IS blossom an the soilderness Of every
heart"
X Il X
There was no poem of flowers written
around the dwelling of farmer Keep. No
graceful, harmonizing touches of creeping
vines or waving curtains about the old, red
homestead; for there was no angel there.
1t was sultry August day, that young
girl and little boy were seen walking up the
road, from the depot. She seemed very
tired, and her coarse straw bonnet and calico
dress were covered with dust. Her face was
pale with sad, yet sweet beauty. She could
not have seen more than fifteen summers.
The girls hand clasped closely the little
boys by her side. The resemblance between
them would have told you at once they were
brother and sister, but he was much younger.
The little fellows large eyes were full of tears,
and the bright curls that fell out from under
his hat were damp with moisture. He was
tired, hungry and motherless! What sadder
history can one tell of little child?
"There Benny, cheer up. Well 60 to that
old red house there" said the girl, with some
cheerfulness.
"But Pm so tired, Lucy. If only had a
piece of bread and butterw
"Well, I'll try and get you some there
1t don't seem like begging to ask for it in the
country"
A few moments later, she opened the wide,
back gate, and went up to the kitchen door.
Farmer Keeps houskeeper--an old woman,
with yellow-white cap, and check apron,
answered her knock.
"Do you want any help, or do you know
anybody near here that does ?" timidly asked
the girl
The old lady peered at her with her dim
eyes. "No," said she. "There arn't but
four on us-farmer Keep and the two hired
men and me- But / reckon you'll find a
place up in the village"
"Thank you. Benny, my little brother
here, is very tired, for we've walked from the
depot, since ten o'clock. Can we come in and
rest awhile?"
}, "Sartin, you can."
The sight of the girl touched the heart of
the old woman, and they went into the old
fashioned kitchen, and sat down in the large,
flag bottoned chairs, while the girl studied
how to best present her petition for food.
Suddenly farmer Keep entered. He gazed
with surprise on the new occupants of the
kitchen; the boy drew closer up to his sister,
and the girl cast timid, frightened glance
into the gloomy face.
"You don't know of nobody round here
that wants a little help, do ye, mer9"-
asked the old woman. "Here's girl wants
place, and as she's walked from the depot,
| told her she might come in and rest a bit,
afore she went up to the village"
"No, DON'T" shortly answered the farmer
is dinner ready?" and the rich man turned
away, without one gentle word or kindly look
for the homeless children whom God had just
brought to his door.
"Lucy, Lucy, don't stay here; I'm afraid y
and the little boys lip quivered as he turned
his face from the farmers.