Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-01-25
MR.. wooDBR1DaE's INVESTMENT
By HELEN FOREST GRAVES.
Erou, tha N.,v Vail. yra.,,,.

NIX. WOOD6R4DGE'S INVESTMENT.
By HELEN FOREST GRAVES. ="
From the New York Weekly.
The fiery crimson Of the stormy Novem-
Der sunset was staining all the hills with It's
lurid glarc-the wind, murmuring restlesslv
among the dead leaves that lay hcappd over
the woodpaths, seemed to mourn, with an
almost human voice. But the autu,nnal mel.
ancholy without, only served to heghten the
cheerfulncss of the roaring wood fire, whose
ruddy glow danced and qnivercd over the
rough rafters Of Farmer Woodbridge's spa
,ious old kitchen, sparkling on the pol shed
snf,ccs of platters and glimmering brassas,
,d sending long stream ofradiancc through
the uncurtained windows out upon the dark
c,;ng road. s..s aa#5 E ..
"Yes,-as was sayin' afore." observed
the Ole f,rmcr,rub ing his toil.hardcncd hands
together, and gazing thoughtfully into the
fire, ''it's been capital harvest this year.
wouldn't ask for no better. So. wife, you
jiSt pick out some o them waller pippin ar-
PIES and put 'em into Jessics basket again
when she calls arter it,. .s".E -, ?
won't the little red 'uns DO as wellg I
calculate to keep then pippins for market !:
IL don't kacr what they'ro WORTH" inter.
angular woman with face ploughcd with
innumerable little lines of care. fingered the
ycllow-chcck ii apples obviously. 81 tell
Oh what it is, Ketury never yet lost
anything by dom a kind thing. | never
oull make you believe that unless the pay
ane right in. in hard cash! Now there's
Jessie Nor ton, as likely gal as ever
hrcathcd, teachin' school day in and day out,
and her marm sewin to hum, earnn' livin'
bv the hardcSt--horn ladies, both on en-
Don't you s'posc these appl s'l be worth
more to them, if you give 'em with kind
word, than they wonld be to that pesky tight
fSted agert, up to Hariwiche Hall, if he gave
dollar Il bushel -
Charity begins to hum" said Keturah,
jrking out the supper table with an odd
twist Of the face. Not but what Jessies
well cnou.h--but you'd plaguy sight better
scratch your pennies together to pay up that
mortgage, If you don't want the H:rdwiche
agent f,rcclosing on you. And th, IN pippins
is just as good as so much money Thrre
they be, anyhow, in the basket--one of your
Investments, guess"
Zone of my investments then. if you like
to call it so, Ketury," said the farmer, With
gooa-humored laugh, banisling the annoy
4 expression which had ovcrspread his face
when she alluded to the mortgage "Come
long IN Jessie, my gal?' he added cheerily,
rs a light touch sound d on the door latch.
Here's the basket all right and some O them
golden pippins tucked in tot. Maybe they'll
tempt your mothers appetite"
Jessie Morcton was slender graceful girl
of about seventeen, with satin-smooth bands
of chestnut hair, parted above low. sunny
forehead, large liquid eyes. and cheeks which
Farmer Woodbridge always declared "sot
him to thnkin of them velvet looking Jarsy
peaches, that grew on the, tree down in the
south mcdder !" She took up the little bas-
kct, with graceful smile that went even to
the flinty heart of Mrs. Kcturah.
90, Mr.. Woodbridge, how kind YOU al.
ways are to us If were only rich--if I
could only make some return" r
Don't you say n word about that are"
sal the farmer, rubbing his nose very hard.
Jest you run home, as fast as ever you can
put, for it's getting most dark, and the No
vembcr wind amt no ways healthy MS ever
heerd on. And say, Jessie. if it rains to-
morrow so you can't get to school handy, lust
you stop here, and I'll give you lift in my
Vaughn" 's1t'R+ ht5tss
Dear old Mr.. Woodbridge" solioquized
Jessie Moreton to herself, as her light foot
step pattered along on the fallen leaves,
how many, many times | have had cause
to thank his generous heart. And to think
that he should be so distressed about the
mortgage by the agent at Hardwiche Hail."
She paused for moment to look up to
where the stately roof and gables of the Hall
rose darkly outlined against the crimson that
still burned storlnily in the sky. On COM
handing hight, and nearly hidden IN trees.
many of whom still retained their brilliant
autumn foliage, it seemed almost like an old
barOnial castle. y ~ rs FS g4EF4 ~ g
I" There it stands she muscd. shut up
and silent, year after year; it's magnificent
rooms untenanted; the flowers blossolning
ungathered in IT'S conservatorics. Since Mrs
Harslwiche died-twenty years since. mamma
says-thc family have been away and now
the only surviving heir is travelling, no one
knows where. wonder If he knows how
grasping and cruel his agent is? Oh dear"
she added softly, money does not always
come where it is most needed If | were the
mistress Of Hartiwiche Hall ~
She started with slight scream the next
instant, as tall figure rose up from a mossv
border by the roadside, directly in front OF
her
Pardon me" said voice that instantly
ireassured her, for it was too gentle to come
from any but a gentleman, but am not
certain that have not lost my way. Is this
the Elden road 7 was waiting for some one
to come and direct me.
This is Eden road" said Jessie, all un-
conscious that tn. last CLEANS of the fading
sunset were Tightening up her fair innocent
face with an almost angelic beauty, as she
stood there among the fallen leaves.
$ And can You tell Inc the shortest foot
path to Hardwiche Hall? / have not beep
in this neighborhooi since was little child,
and am completely at fault"
Jessie hcsitated moment. g could show
you better than ten yon, for It is rather a
complicated road. = she said, :. and if you will
accept my services as guide it will not be
much out Of my way"
II shall feel very tAseaIhoSorsd," said the
stranger /" lssatiUN NJ NJ srfy y5Gs
|buskSl." .-'' s s =