The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-02-11

The rest are sleeping ~ tue Atilo
clurch.yard
4 heavy misfortune has beiallen him,
the thirst for riches has brought its
usual curse Possessed with the mania
for speculation, be morigaged bis farm
house and al it contained The glde8
bublo burst aud the duNning Of the
New Year found him d ruined and
bom6less man This was the last night
that he and his we're to stay IN the old
homestead that had been IN the family
for four generations, and was linked 20
his heat by 50 many tender memories.
On the morrow they knew not whittier
to 20. II Is true that many Of the old
ueighbors kind, good souls, had offer
ed him a temporary home; but il was
hard for the proud, self reliant man to
accept charity from any
aWhat can va do? Where can we 20
to be groancd, as he thought Of the
morrow.
"The Lord viii provide John, said
bis wife, lifting her patient eyes to his.
lie never has forsaken us. Neither
viii be forsake one who trusts IN Him.
But the farmer lacked the Christian
resignation that made that gentle heart
such heaven Of peace and love.
AAy, that's What you've always said,
wife" he returted, impatiently, "and
you see what you have come to- For
my part, / don't think the Lord troub
les Himself much about us any way
Mrs. Williams might have said that
be had brought this upon himself, but
she wisely forebore Just then there
came the sound Of a quick, buoyant step
and there burst into the room fine,
sturdy lad of about ten, his eyes bright
and his checks glowing from the keen,
frosty air
its bitter cold, / tell you p he ex-
claimed, flinging his cap, boy fashion
upon the kitchen settee, and stepping
up 20 the the kitchen fire. "Not but
what I've been as warm as toast, all
my ears and fingers be added, blow
ing upon the letter as he spoke.
Here is something for you mother"
he said, seating himself on a stool at
her feet, aud testing into her lap SHIN
ing piece Of gold.
"Why, Arthur, where did you get this !?
"rhe strange gentleman down at the
tavern gave il to me, mother. He asked
me into his room, and gave me as many
nuts and raisins as / could eat, beside,
81 wonder who he is r she said,
musingly
81 can tell you," exclaimed her hus-
band his eyes flashing angrily. "He is
the owner of the Red Stone farm house.
He is the man who bid against me on
the few articles l wanted to reserve
The curse of the homeless rests upon
him.
"Nay, John" interposed his wife.
gently; perhaps he did not know how
highly you priced them. /"
Eyes 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 thought
fully into the fire, II can't help pitying
him, he looked SO sorrowful. lie asked
me great many questions about you,
mother and all the rest Of us, and kept
walking up and down the room, wiring
ing his hands and groaning as if he was
in great trouble"
II will buy you new coat with this
Arthur" said Mrs Williams, as she ex-
apined anew the gold coin. You
need one badly enough" " she added,
glancing with sigh at his well patch
ed 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 on
Is a boy who brought a small parcel for
Mrs Williams
Another New Years gift, suppose,
he said bitterly as he handed it to her,
for he was in Il bitter mood Mrs Viii
hams glanced reproachfully at her hus-
band.
God grant that it may bring us
much comfort she said laying her
hand fondly upon tile head that was
resting against her knee
As she opened it she uttered an ex-
clamation Of surprise 1t WAS a deed
of Red Stone farm house and made
out in her name. On the inside wrap
per were these words:
"Inasmuch as ye did it unto tho least
Of these, We did it unto Inc.
There were grateful and happy hearts
beneath the roof Of the old homestead
TINT night, though with Mrs. Williams
JOY there was mingled an uneasy feel
ing She was well assured that it WAS
IN some way connected with Arthur,
and trembled with apprehension lest
some one should appear who had a
stronger claim to him. This fear was
dlssipated the next morning, by let
ter that came to her,in the first mail -
1t contained a check for Ave thousand
dollars. together with these words,
The boy that you SO generously re-
celved ten years ago, and have so ten
derly cherished since, will never be ta-
ken from you. The mother, forced to
reliuquish the babe, dearer to her than
life is now in Heaven. Tne father, who
50 basely forSook his child. and her
whom lie had sworn to cherish. is un-
worthy Of SO sacred q trust In S.
n.,4G s.-,s ..tH E,e4 al 9 t.4.-. /. !.