The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-10-03

old Job Rsynesford's cfu1cn oGnocs "
c.rnet. But the instant he spoke she stsn.
cd as if An arrow had smoss ner. ana 49,
lin her large eyes dilated and her slender
h.nds clasDed together. listening as intent-
i- =. II her life depended on her hearing
.y.,y vord. The old man was pleading
ia sorroviue-her husband politely infex-
ibIe. At length Job Raynesford turned to
"WeI, sir" he said, in a subdued tone,
81 don't know much about law and law
books, but it does seem hard that an old
man should be turned out Of the home that
has sheltered him for sixty years, and all
for 10 fault of his own. They say you are
a very rich gentleman. sir-iive thousand
dollars may seem small sum to you, but il
is my alI!''
Mrs. Eyerleigh's soft voice broke the
momentary silence that succeeded this ap.
peal.
"Walter, come here one minute-I want 10
speak to YOU"
He obeyed. somewhat surprised; she
drew him into the deep recesses Of the
stained glass bay window, and. standing
there. with the rosy and amber shadow
playing about her lovely brow, like some
fair pictured saint, she told him how, TWEEN
ty years ago. q wearied child and its mother
were fed and sheltered by kind hearted
stranger; how he had given them money
and kind wishes when they were utterly
alone and desolate in the wide world.
"But. my love, what has all this to do
with my business matters?
Much, Walter; l am that child!'
"You, my dearest?"
IL, my husband, and the noble man who.
am persuaded, saved my life that night,
stands yonder, with, gray, bowed head and
sinking heart!"
MARY, you must surely be mistaken"
al cannot be mistaken, Walter; shonld
know him amongst thousand. You said
you loved me this morning-uow grant me
one little boon!''
What is it, dearest?
"Give me that note he speaks OF.
Mr.. Eyerleigh silently went TO small
ebony cabinet, unlocked it. and drew out a
small folded paper, which he placed in her
hands. She glided up to the old man, who
had been gazing out Of window in sort
Of reverie, and laid her soft hand on his
arm.
+, do you remembe the little golden hair
ed Mary whom you found with her mother,
wearied out upon the roadside. twenty years
ago?"
i i
this very morning 1 was recalling the whole
scene."
"And don't you recognize met" she ask
ed, smiling up into his face, as she threw
back the dropping curls. Il am little Ma
ry!"
He stood in bewildered silence; all of
sudden the truth seemed to break upon
him, and be laid his hands upon her head
with fearful blessing.
"And your mother, my child -
"She has been dead for years but it is
my dearest wish to be the instrument Of her
gratitude. Here is the note you endorsed
my husband has given it to me. See -
A small spirit lamp was burning in one
Of the nitches she held the bit Of pa
per over its flame until it fell cloud OF
light ashes upon the floor.
"Welll'
Mrs. Raynesford met her husband at the
door at the instant his crutches sounded on
the little graveled path.
why don't you speak ? OF course l
know you've nothing but bad news 10 tell.
but may as well hear it at once. Have
you seen the gentleman What did he
say %
=" Hannah u said old Job Rsvnesford,
slowly folding up his gloves, :" do you re-
member the ten dollars l gave that poor
young wanderer n score OF years to day!"
"Why, Of course l do; didn't | remind
you of it not twelve hours since? What
has that to do with our troubles. pray!"
"Just this--to-day l received payment,
principal and interest !"
What do you mean, Job Raynesford!"
"The illle golden haired child that sat
beside our hearthstone. that June evening,
is lawyer Everleigh's wife, and have seen
her burn the note that has hung like mill
stone round my neck these many years.
She said it was but discharging a sacred
debt of gratitude ; but Heaven knows l
looked for no such reward
There was a moments silence. The old
man was bordering over the past, and Mrs.
Rainesford was SO taken by surprise that
she could not speak.
"And, now, wife. what have you to say
about my financial mis,akes?" said Job,
archly.
Mrs. Raymond had no argument suited
to the emergencies of the case, SO she very
wisely said-nothing