Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-17
MIR. wooDBR1DGE,s INVESTMENT.


MR. WOODBRIDGE'S INVESTMENT.
The fiery crimson of the stormy November
sunset was staining all the hills with its lurid
glare, the wind murmuring restlessly among
the dead leaves that lay heaped over the wood
paths, seemed to mourn, with an almost hu-
man voice. But the autumnal melancholy
without only served to heighten the cheerful
ness of the roaring wood fire, whose ruddy
glow danced and quivered over the rough
rafters of Farmer Woodbridge's spacious old
kitchen, sparkling on the polished surfaces of
platters and glmmering brasses, and sending
a long stream of radiance through the uncur.
tanned windows out upon the darkened road.
''Yes--aS l was Sayin' afOre, - observed the
old farmer, rubbing his toil-hardened hands
together, and gazing thoughtfully into the fire,
1sit's been capital harvest this year.
wouldn't ask for no better. So, wife, you jist
pick out some o. them yaller pippin apples,
and put 'em in Jessie's basket again when she
call arter it. "a
calculate to keep them pippins for market |;
Squire Benson says they're worth"
81 don't keer what they're worth,'' inter-
rupted the farmer, as his helpmate, a spare,
angular woman, with face ploughed with in
Vulnerable little lines of care fingered the yell
low checkered apples obviously. 81 tell you
what it is Ketury, folks never yet lost any,
make you believe that, unless the pay came
right in, in hard cash Now here's Jessie
Moreton, as likely a gal ever breathed,
teachin' school day in and day out, and her
marin sewin' to hum, earnin' a livin' by the
hardest labor-born ladies both on 'em. Don't
you s'pose these apples I'll be worth more to
them, if you give 'em with kind word, than
they would be to that pcsky tight-fsted agent,
up to Hnrdwiche Hall, if he gave dollar a
bushel 7''
.'Charity begins to hum,' said Keturah,
jerking out the supper table with an odd twist
OF the face. ssNot but what Jessie's we'll e.
aough-but you'd plagued sight better sight
scratch your pennies together to pay up that
mortgage, if you don't want the Hardwiche a.
gent foreclosing on you. And them pippins
is just as good as so much money. There
they be, how, in the basket-one of your
investments, 1 guessn'
"One of my investments then, if you like to
call it so Ketury,' said the farmer with good
humored laugh, banishing the annoyed ex-
preston which had overspread his face when
she alluded to the mortgage. "Come 'long in
Jessie my gal 20 he added cheerlly, as light
touch sounded on the door-atch. "Here's
the basket all right, and some o. them golden
pippns tucked into't. Maybe they'll tempt
your mothers appetite"
Jessie Moreton was slender, graceful girl
of about seventeen, with satin-smooth bands of
u
head, large liquid eyes, and cheeks which far
mer Woodbridge always declared 'ssot him to
thinkin' of them velvet looking peaches, that
grew on the tree down on the South medder. 20
She took up the basket with grateful smile,
that went even to the 1inty heart of Mrs. Ke-
turah.
80, Mr.. Woodbridge, how kind you are al.
ways to u.s. II / were only rch-if could
only make some return.
a he
farmer, rubbing his nose very hard. ssJest
you run home, as fast as ever you can put, for
it's getting most dark, and the November
wind amt no way healthy L ever heerd
on. And say, Jessie, if it rains Tomorrow
So you can't get to school handy, just you
stop here, and III give you lift in my wag-
GIN"
"Dear old Mr.. Woodbridge" soliloquized
Jessie Moreton to herself, as her light footstep
battered along on the fallen leaves, show
many times have l had cause to thank his gen.
erous heart. And to think that he should be
SO distressed about the mortgage by the agent
at Hardwichc Hall.
She paused for moment to look up to
where the stately roofs and gables of the Hall
rose darkly outlined against the crimson that
sun burned stormily in the sky. On COM
manding height, and nearly hidden in trees,
many Of whom still retained their brilliant au-
tumn foliage, it seemed almost like an old
Dsrronial castle.
"There it stands.'' she mused, "shut up and
silent, year after year; its magnificent rooms
Hntenanted the flowers blossoming ungather-
ed IN its conservatOries. Since Mrs. Hard
~iehe died-twenty years since, mamma says
the family have been away, and now the on
~ surviving heir is travelling, no one knows
"here. | wonder if he knows how grasping
snd cruel his agent isl Oh, dear,' she adj
ueu softly: s'money does not always come
"uere 1t is most needed. Ii were the mis-
I'ess OF Hardwiche Hail!''
one started with slight scream the next in
s'an1' as tall figure rose mp from mossy
oorqer by the roadside, directly in front of her.
FaFdon me-" said voice that instantly
.,eassured her, for it was too gentle to come
,.om any but gentleman, "but am not cer-
T, a,s that have not lost my way. Is this the
s-'ueh road was waiting for some one to
come and direct me.''
ibis is Eden, road - said Jessie, all un-
.ohscious ous that the last CLEANS of the fading
;., aaset were lighting up her fair innocent face
,ban. sn an almost angelic beauty as she stood
"ere among the fallen leaves.
>. AND can you tell me the shortest foot path
n.; nardwiche Hall have not been in this
shoorhood since i was little child, and
"'u completely at fault.''
role sessle hesitated a moment. 81 could show
better than tell you, for it is rather COM
a'ed ssn. road," she said, ssand If you will ac-
ont tas ~y services as guide, 1t will not be much
'u' OF my way"