Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-12-26

many toilsome hours did she spend, in order
that her husband might not feel the expense
OF his maintenance too heavily. And well
did his growing intelligence and beauty, ,and
the ardent affection he evinced for her, re-
pay her for ALL There was nothing about
him that would give the slightest clue to his
parentage. Simply bit of white paper
pinned to his trock, on which were these
words, evidently written by woman, in a
graceful but unsteady hand:
ARTHUR, born Sept. 23 was stran-
ger and ye took me in
Farmer Williams made some inquiries in
the neighborhood, and learned that a lady
with an infant accompanied by servant.
had been stopping for week past at the
village tavern; that she was very beautiful,
but very pale and sad, and kept her room
most OF the time. But they had disappear
ed from there almost as suddenly as they
came.
1t is just ten years since Mrs. Williams
received her New Years S gift. Let US take
another peep into the Red Stone Farm
houss. The group is smaller than then.
The farmer who murmured that he had so
many mouths to feed, has now only one child
| left him-the little faxen haired girl that is
sitting by his knee. The rest are sleeping
in the little churchyard.
A heavy misfortune has befallen him
the thirst for riches has brought its usual
curse. Possessed with the mania for spec
ulation he mortgaged his farm house and
| all it contained The gilded bubble burst,
and the dawning of the New Year found
him ruined and homeless man. This was
| the last night that he and his were to stay
in the old homestead, that had been in the
| family for four generations, and was linked
| to his heart by so many tender memories.
| On the morrow they knew not whittier to
go. 1t is true, that many of the old nei gh
bors-kind, good souls-had offered him
temporary home; but it was hard for the
proud, self reliant man to accept charity
from any.
''What can we do? Where can we go
to p he groaned as he thought of the NOR
row.
The Lord will provide, john" SAID his
wife, lifting her patient eyes to his. He
never has fnrsaken US. Neither will he for
sake any who trust in him.
| But the farmer lacked the christian resig
nation that made the gentle heart such
! haven OF peace and love.
Aye, that's what you We always, said,
wife, he returned, impatienly, land you
see what we've come TO- For my part,
don't think the Lord troubles himself much
about us any way.
Mrs Williams might have said that he
had brought this upon himself, but she
wisely forebore. just then there came the
sound of quick, buoyant step, and there
burst into the room fine, sturdy lad of
about ten, his eyes bright, and his cheeks
| glowing from the keen, frosty air.
Its bitter cold, | tell you?" he exclaim-
ed, finging his cap boyt-ashion upon the
kitchen settee and stepping up to the kitchen
fire Not but what Eve Deen as warm as
a toast, all but my. ears and fingers, he
added, blowing up the latter as he spoke.
said, seating himself on a stool at her feet,
and tossing into her lap shining piece of
gold.
Why, Arthur, where did you get this. y
''The strange gentleman down at the tav
ern gave it to me, mother. He asked NE
into his room and gave me as many nuts
and raisins as [ could eat, beside.
Il wonder who he is, she said musingly.
II can tell you, exclaimed her husband,
his eyes flashing angrily. 'Heis the owner
of the Red Stone Farmhouse He is the
man who bid against me on the few articles
| wanted to reserve. The curse OF the
homeless rests upon him 7
NAY, John, interposed his wife, gent
ly, perhaps he did not know how highly
you priced them.
Yes he did Parson Brown stepped up
and told him, but he only smiled and said
he wanted to buy everything just as it
stood.
''Well, said the boy, gazing thoughtful-
ly into the fire, 81 can't help plying him,
he looked SO sorrowful He asked me
great many questions about you, mother,
and all the rest of us, and kept walking up
and down the room, wringing his hands and
groaning as if he was in great trouble. !"
i will buy you you R!,T new coat with this
one badly enough" she added, glancing,
with sigh, at his well patched roundabout
You shall do nothing of the sort, mother,
said the generous hearted boy You shall
buy yourself and sissy nice warm shawl
Before Mrs. Williams could reply there
was quick knock at the door. Farmer
Williams opened it. 1t was only boy who
brought small parcel for Mrs. Williams.
Another New ears gift, suppose, he
said bitterly, as he handed it to her. for he
was in bitter mood. Mrs. Williams G IAN
ced reproachfully at her husband.
God grant tkat it may bring us much
comfort" she said, laying her hand fondly
upon the head that was resting against her
knee.
As she opened it she uttered an exclama-
tion of surprise. 1t was a deed of Red
Stone Farmhouse, made out in her name.
On the inside wrapper were these words:
'Inasmuch as ye did unto the least of
these, We did it unto me. P"
There were grateful and happy hearts be-
meath the roof of the homestead that night,
though with Mrs. Williams joy there was
mingled and uneasy feeling. She was we'll
assured that it was in some way connected
with Arthur, and trembled with apprehen-