Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-09-01

lie knit his brows as he awaited the
answer.
Mrs. Gray sent over n tumbler oi
calf's foot jelly for Maggy.'
Now Maggy was dear little two
years old pet. with soft blue eyes, and
light brown hair that fell in wavy cir.
cles about her neck, and a heart as
full of love, as that of her father was
Of ill-will to almost every one but her.
self. To him she was sunligt and Joy
The love that gushed forth for her,
seemed all the stronger because it had
free course in no other direction. But
Maggie was sick. a fever had seized
upon her delicate frame, and wasted
her almost to shadow, and now. al.
though the destroyer had departed
from their dwelling, the child was as
weak as in the days of earliest in
fancy.
Mrs. Gray sent over a tumbler oi
calls foot jelly for Maggie
What an unexpected answerl Farm
er Tompkins was altogether uprepar-
cd for it.
How did she know that Maggie
was sick?'
His voice was less imperative.
Mr. Gray asked about her when he
was here this morning.
sWho? What2'
Farmer Tompson was again taken
by surprise.
Mr.. Gray asked kindly about her;
and when L told him that she was bet
ter, looked very much pleased
The farmer turned his face partly
away, so that his wife should not see
its expression.
How does Maggie seem this after
noon?' he asked, few moments after
wards.
Better said the wife.
Il must look at her for a moment;
dear little pet' And Tompkins went
into the bedroom where she lay. An
older sister stood by her side, holding
the calf's foot jelly, and feeding her
with it.
How is my little Maggy?' said the
father, as he bent over and kissed her.
Pm better,' she answered, smiling
then added, in pleased way,
Don't you think Mrs. Gray was
very good to send me this nice calf S
foot jelly?'
Yes, dear
How could he help answering yes?
When farmer Tompkins returned to
the barn, he felt very strangely. There
was pressure on his feelings, for
which he could not clearly account;
and no wonder-for the farmer was
not given to the observation of his
own mental processes. That little act
of kindness towards Maggy, so alto
gether unexpected, had thrown his
mind into sudden confusion. He had
felt dislike for Mrs. Gray simply be-
cause he hated her husband-but how
could he continue to cherish this feel
ing for one who had shown kindness
towards his little Maggy? 1t was
next to impossible. And Mr.. Gray
had asked after Maggy! And further
still--it was natural to conclude, that
the kind act of his wife had some sort
of dependence upon his direction of
her thoughts towards the sick child.
Il wish l hadn't said anything
against him at Peter Craig's.' Now
that thought marked the beginning OF
a better state of mind in farmer Tomp-
kins. L dou't like him; and will new
er forgive him as long as live. But
there is no occasion to make an enemy
even of a dog. And, of course. he's
my sworn enemy from this day forth.
| wonder what brought him over here
No, don't wonder either! We'll, let
him do his worst; he'll find no back
ing down in Ephraim Tompkins.'
On the next morning, Tompkins
went over to the blacksmith's shop to
see if Peter Craig had finished mend
ing a plough which he had left there
some days before. He had said moth
ing of being in hurry; and did not
really want the plough for a week
But he thought he would step over
and see how the work was progressing
AS he entered the shop, he saw the
plough lying near the forge. But the
blacksmith was hammering away up
on a wagon tire. Now, although
Tompins didn't want the plough fol
some days, he felt displeased at see-
ing his work put aside for the work oi
somebody else, and said. little tart
ly-
Il expected to see that plough fin
ished by this time
And so it would have been, friend
Tompkins; but our new neighbor, Mr.
Gray, had the misfortune to break a
wagon-tire yesterday afternoon, just in
the midst of some hauling that must
OC HHi>hcd W tO-IiOiIoW % Il iCi
your plough lie, as l knew you were
not in a hurry. and was sure you
would be willingt to oblige Mr.. Gray
| will have it al ready for you in the
morning.
Tomorrow morning won't dol
said Tompkins, angrily. Il want my
plough to-dayP
I'm sorry said the blacksmith. in
troubled manner. Il didn't think il
would make any difference. or ]
wouldn't have put aside your work foI
Mr.. Gray or anybody clse.'
'Oh yes You would retorted Tomp-
kins, in a spiteiul tone. Mr. Gray is
everything in Splinterville now-and
I'm nobody!'
Don't say that. friend Tompkins.
said the blacksmith; Il would do your
work as quickly as would Mr.. Gray's