The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-04-03

hair that fell in wavy circles about her neck
and a heart MS full Of love as that OF her
father was ill.will to almost every one pu'
herself. To him she was sunlight and JOY.
Tho love that gushed forth from her seemed
all the stronger because 1t had free course
in no other direction. But Maggy was SICK
A fall fever had seized upon her dellcase
frame, and wasted her almost to q shadow
and now, although the destroyer had de-
parted from their dwelling. the child was
as weak as in the days Of earliest infancy
"AIrs. Gray sent over tumbler OF caifs
foot jelly for MaSsy."
What an unexpected answered! Farm
er Tempkins was altogether unprepared Tor
it.
"How did she know that Maggy was
sick?"
His voice was les imperative.
"Mr. Gray asked about her when he was
here this morning"
"who? What?"
Farmer Tompkins was again taken by
surprise.
"NIr. Gray asked kindly about her and
when told him that she was better, look
ed very much pleased" )"
The farmer turned his face partly away.
so that his wife should not see its expires
sion.
"Ilow does Maggy seem this afternoon 2
he asked few minutes afterwards.
Better" said the wife.
"I must look at her for moment; dear
little pet !" And Tompkins went into the
bedroom where she lay. An older sister
stoodby her side, holding the calrs foot jelly,
and feeding her with it.
"IIow is my little Massy?" said the
father, as he bent over and kissed her.
"I'm better,,' she answered, smiling
then added in pleased way, y
"Don't you think Mrs. Gray was very
good to send me this nice calfs foot jelly"
"Yes, dear" ."
How could he help answering yes?"
When farmer Tompkins returned to the
barn, he felt very strangely. There was a
pressure on his feelings, for which he could
not clearly account; and no wondcr-for
the farmer was not much given to tho obser.
vation of his own mental process. That lit
tie act of kindness towards Maggy, 30 alto.
gether unexpected, had thrown his safe Of
mind into sudden confusion. lie had felt a
dislike to Mrs. Gray, simply because he
hated her husband-but how could he con-
tinuc to cherish this feeling for one who had
shown kindness towards his little Maggy?
1t was next to impossible. And Mr.. Gray
had asked after Macy! And further still
it was natural to conclude that the kind
act of his vile had some sort of dependence
upon his direction Of her thought towards
the sick child. t-I-... .rr....
81 wish hadn't said anything against
him at Peter Creig's." Now that thought
marked the beginning Of better state of
mind in farmer Tompkins. al don't like
him and will never forgive him as long as |
live. But there is no occasion to make an
enemy even of dog. And, o! course, he's
my enemy from this day forth. l wonder
what brought him over here. No, | don't
wonder either! Well, lot him do his worst
he'll find no backing down to EphraIm
Tompkins."
On the next morning, Tompkins went
over to tho blacksmitl's shop to SEQ if Peter
Crcig had finished mcnding plow which he
had left there some days before. lie had
said nothing about being in o hurry; and
did not really want the plow fora week
But be thought he would step over and see
how tho work was progressing. As he en-
tered the shop, he saw the plow lying near
the forge. But tho blacksmith was ham
mering away upon n wagon tire. Now,
although Tompkins didn't want the plow for
some days, he felt displegsed at seeing his
work put aside for tho work of somebody
else, and said a lite tartly: -...u.
al expected to see that plow finished by
this time ..-.. .....-. .....t ...
"And so it would have been, friend Tomp-
kins, but our new neighbor Gray had the
misfortune to break wagon tire yesterday
afternoon, just in the midst of somo hauling
that must be finished by Tomorrow. So I
let your plow lie, as knew you were not
in hurry, and was SURE you would be will
ing to obllgc Mr.. Gray. will have it all
ready for you in the morning. q -T
"To.morrow morning won't do - said
Tompkins angrily. 81 want my plow to.
day" Ea
III am sorry" said the blackn Nth, in a
troubled manner. al didn't think Il would
make any difference, or wouldn't have
put aside your work for Mr.. Gray or any,
body else" ' '''-
go yes, you would!" retorted Tompkins,
in spitcful tone. "Mr. Gray everything
in Splinterville now-and am nobody"
"Jon't say that, friend Tompkins, said
the blacksmith-'r would do your work as
quickly asl would Mr.. Gray's. If the plow
had belonged to him, and you had come
with a broken wagon.tirc, would have laid
aside the plow to mend tho tire.'
But farmer Tompkins was not disposed to
listen to reason Thiy act Of letting his
work lie over for a day in order to do that
Of h' neishbor, against whom he had 20
dcepa srudsc, made him almost blind with
passion, and was talking in loud, angry
voice, when neighbor Gray's form darkened
the door OF the blacksmith's shop. The
new neighbor had called over to see.how the
inendins ofthe wagon tire progressed Just
NR