Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-05-01

stretch out helping hand. Taint Scrip
ture nor 1t talnt human nature.
Well, go your own gait, Job Raynes-
ford, =" responded his wife tartly. only mark
my words, if you dom t end your days in the
poor house, twon't be through no fault OF
| yourn.
| She shut the pantry door with bang
that made all the jelly cups and milk pans
rattle, while Job with an odd griuace, went
| out to help his guests alight.
Don mind the woman, said he apollo.
she means well arter ALL We amt all jest
alike in our notions, you know.
IF all the world were like you, said the
young widow, with tears in her eyes, there
would be less want and suffering by far. -
Farmer Raynesford pretended not to hear
he was busy lifting little Mary out.
Set on them black berries, Hannah, " said
ne towards the close of their evening meal
the little gals SO tired she can eat moth
ing solid. D."
7 was calculating the blackberries for
the donation party tomorrow, said Mrs.
r, rising with rather an unwilling air.
Nonsense. quoth the farmer with a
broad laugh, II M having donation party
of my own tonight Here, little one, see
if these berries don put the color in your
cheeks.
All the evening little Mary sat by the
hearth, with her hands in her mothers and
her large blue eyes fixed earnestly upon the
kind farmer 5 face.
What are YOU thinking about, dearest?"
asked Mrs: Ellsworth. She drew long
sigh and whispered:
40, mamma, he is so kind to us
The top of the far off eastern woods be-
gan to turn gold by that wondrous alchemist,
the rising sun, when Mrs. Ellsworth and her
little girl set out upon their long walk to
Brecton. Job Raynesford went with them
to the gate, tumblng unusually in his pock-
ct and glancng guilty around, to make
sure that Hannah was not within seeing dis
tance. When Mary extended her hand to
say thankful good bye, to her astonsh-
ment bark bill was thrust into 1t.
Don { say nothing, muttered Job with
a sheepsh air. Ten dollars amt much to
me, and if you don t chance to get work in
The factory right away, it may be of good
deal Of use to you. Needn't thank me
you re as welcome as flowers in May" He
bent over and kissed the child forehead,
and stood watching them until the two
slight figures disappeared, and6ny the gol
den SKY and the moving crest Of the sum-
mer woods remained.
Ten dollars ~ calculated Mrs. Raynes-
ford who had witnessed this episode from
behind the curtains of her milk room window.
Is job Raynesford crazy? To give ten
dollars to noor stro!ing vagrant? If he
don't get piece of my mind.
And she FASTENED out, her cap border
fairly standing on end with horror Job
awaited the canning tempest with philoSoph
ic GOODNESS, his hands in his pockets, and
his lips parted in good humored smile. 1t
L. l., >.
mind that had been bestowed Upon him,
nor did he suppose it was likely to be the
last.
She means well, he said to himself.
when the voley o! wrath had been discharg
ed on his luckless head and Mrs. X. had re-
turned to her butter making, but she has
got the greatest faculty for scoldIn of any
woman | ever saw.
The years fitted by, sprinklng the steep
old farmhouse roof with the crystal drops
of April showers, and thatching it with the
dazzling ermine Of january SHOWS many and
many tin e. Grev hairs crept in among
the raven locks of Farmer Raynesford, care
worn wrinkles began to gather around his
mouth and brow. Alas those swift-tooted
years brought troubles innumerable to the
kind old man.
Twenty years." n,used he one bright
June morning, 1T don t seem possible. Han
nah, that it was twenty years ago this very
ha, rack and got lamed for life.
He lookedadown at the crutches by his
side as he spoke, and sighed to the very
depths of his heart.
Hannah stood in the doorway, tossing
corn to a forlorn little colony of chickens.
Twenty years had not improved her in any
respect-she was gaunter, bonier, and more
vinegar faced than ever.
Yes said she slowly, "and perhaps you
don't remember that it was just twenty
years ago to day that you threw ten dollars
away on that woman and her child. L said
that YOU would end your days in the poor
house, and don't see but what my predic-
tion is likely to come true. Didn't L say
you d live to repent IT
Il won't denv, Hannah" said the old
man, but that I've done things I've been
sorry for-we ain none of us perfect. you
know wife-but that is not one OF them.
No, [ never for minute repented being
kind To the widow and the fatherleSs.
Hannah shrugged her shoulders, but made
no answer.
Didn't you say you were going up to see
that rich lawyer about the five thousand
dollar note to-day p she asked presently.
Yes, but don't suppose it'll be Of much
use If he'd wait little, | d do my best
to paw him. Jones says he be sure to sell
the old place over our heads however; they
tell me he is hard man. | mean to explain
to him Just how the matter stands, and"
II told you how it would be long ago!
calculated Hannah, unable to retain her
vexation. What on airth ever possessed you
to sign for Jesse Fairweather?"
"I posed he was an honest man, and
wouldn't see an old friend wronged.