Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-03-18

years ago tIat ne naQ so many mouths to
feed, has only one child left him-the lit
tie, tiaxen haired girl that is sitting beside
bis knee. The rest are sleeping in the
churchyard. I ......f.
A heavy misfortune has befallen him
the thirst for riches has brought its usua
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
family were to stay in the old homestead
that bad been in the family for four gen.
erations, aud was linked to his heart by
so many tender memories. On the NOR
row they knew not whittier to 60. 1t is
true that many of the old neighbors 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 Z" he groaned as he thought Of the
morrow. ,..
The Lord will provide for us John y
said his wife. lifting her patient eyesto his.
=" lie never has forsakcn us. Neither
will he forsake one who trusts in Him. :"
But the farmer lacked the Christian res
ignation that made that gentle heart such
a heaven Of peace and love. -...r
"Ay, that's what you've always said,
wife, " he resorted, impatiently, " and yon
see what we have come TO. For my part
| don't think the Lord troubles Himself
much about US anyway.
Mrs. Williams might have said that he
brought this upon himself but she wisely
forebore. Just then there came the sound
Of quick. buoyAnt step, and there burst
into the room fhe sturdy lad of about ten,
his eyes bright, and his cheeks glowing
from the keen, frosty air.
Fl {" It's bitter cold | tell you, 3" he exclaim
ed finging his cap, boy fashion, upon the
kitchen settee, and stepping up to the fire.
90 Not but what I've been as warm as
toast all but nay ears and fingers" he
added, blowing upon the latter as he
spoke.
Here is something for you, mother, J"
be said, seating himself on stool at her
feet, and tossing into her lap shining
piece of gold.
"Whv Arthur where did you get this q
"The strange gentleman down at the
tavern gave it to me mother. He asked
me into his room, and gave me as many
nuts and raisins as | could eat, beside. !"
i wonder who he is 2" she said musing-
ly. =. -; sa
q ] can tell you'' exclaimed her hus--
band, his eyes flashing angrily. He is the
owner of the Bed Stone Farmhouse. He
is the man who bid against me on the few
articles | wanted to reserve. The curse of
the homeless rest uron him. . r-
May John, interposed his wife gent
", " perhaps he did,not know how highly
YOU priced them. ...-.--.e .-aa.
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
" into the fire " | can't help pitving
him he looked so sorrowfuI. lie asked
me a 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. F" ."' TO-
will buy you new coat with this,
Arthur said Mrs Williams, as she exam
ined anew the gold coin You need one
badly enough, " she added, glsncing with
a sigh at his we'll patched roundabout. ..
+" You shall do Eothing ofthe sort, moth
er. " said the generous hearted boy
.s You shall buy yourself and sissy a
nice warm shawl. " d =
Before Mrs, Williams could reply there
was a quick knock at the door. Farmer
Williams opened it. 1t was only a boy
who brought small parcel for Mrs. VIII.
liams. .-- t-.zrs r.. ....ra.. .v- ss.
Another New Years gift, | suppose,
he said bitterly, as he handed it TO her,
for he was in q bitter mood.
Mrs Williams glanced reproachfully at
her husband -.t' |-.- ...
F." God grant that it may bring as much
comfort, she said LAYING her hand fond.
ly upon the head that was resting against
her knee. NJ.
As she opened it she uttered an exelama-
ton of surprise. 1t was a deed of Red
Stone Farmhouse. and made out in her
name. On the inside wrapper were these
words i, v..3E....s III. aG Gg eat 'ta3o Jf
Inasmuch as We did it~unto the least
of these we did it uato Me. ~ .s--affa
There were grateful and happy hearts
beneath the roof of the-old homestead that
night, though with Mrs, Williams joy there
was mingled an uneasy feeling. She was
we'll ASSURED that it was in some way con.
nected with Arthur, aud ,trembled with
apprehension lest some one should appear
who had stronger claims to him. This
fear was dssipated the next morning by a
letter that came to her in the first mail. 1t
contained check for five thousand dollars,
together with these words F; nsI.rs'
"The boy that You so generously re-
ceived ten years ago, and have so tender.
ly cherished since, will Lever be takrn from
YOU. The mother forced to reinquish
the babe, dearer to her than life, Is now
in Heaven. The father who so baseiy
forsook his child, and her whom lie had
sworn to cherish, is unworthy of SO sacred
. tru.t In YOU will find