Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-04-15

with an infant, accompanied by servant,
had been stopping fora week past at the vii
lage tavern that she was very beautiful, but
pale and sad, and kept her room most of the
time. But they had disappeared as sudden
ly as they came.
It is Just ten years from the time that
Mrs. Williams received her New Years
Gift Let us take another peep into the
Kitchen of the Red Stone Farmhouse. The
group is smaller now then. The farmer
who murmured ten years ago that he had SO
NAV mouths to feed, has now only one child
left him the little faxeu- haired girl that is
sitting beside his knee. The rest are all
sleeping in the little churchyard. A heavy
misfortune has hefallen him the thirst for
riches has brought its usual curse. Posses
sed with the mania for speculation, he mort
gagged his farmhouse and all it contained. -
The gilded bubble burst, and the drawing
of the New Year found him a ruined and
homeless man. This was the last night that
he and his wife were to remain in the old
homestead, that had been in his family for
four generations, and was linked to his heart
by so many tender memories. On the NOR
row they were to 60 they hardly knew with
err. It is true, many of the old neighbors-
kind, good souls-had offered him tempo
rary home; but it was hard for that proud,
self-reliant man to accept charity from any.
'Whst can We do? Where can we go?
he groaned, as he thought Of the morrow.
The Lord will provide, john said his
wife, lifting her sad, patient eyes to his
He has never forsaken us. Neither will he
ever forsake any who trust in Him.
But the father lacked the Christian re-
signation that made the gentle heart such a
haven of peace and love.
Aye, that's what you've always said,
wife, he retorted, impatienty, 'anl you see
what we've come to. For my part, don't
think the Lord troubles himself much about
us, any wayv
Mrs. Williams might have said that he
had brought his misfortune upon himself,
but she wisely forebore Just then there
came the sound Of quick, buoyant step,
and there burst into the room a fine, sturdy
lad Of about ten, his eyes bright, and his
cheeks glowing from the keen, frosty air.
It's bitter cold, l tell your he exclaim-
ed, Aipging his cap, boy fashion upon the
kitchen settee, and stepping up to the kitch-
en- fire.
Not but what I've been warm as toast,
all but my ears and fingers he added,
blowing upon the latter as he spoke.
Here is something for you, mother he
said seating himself on a stool at her feet,
and tossing into her lap a shining piece Of
gold.
Why, Arthur, where did you get this 7?
The strange gentleman down at the tav-
ern gave it to me, mother. He asked me
into his room, and gave me as many nuts
and raisins as I could eat, besides
4 wonder who he is % she said musing-
ly.
I can tell you,' exclaimed her husband,
his eyes flashing angrily. He is the owner
of Red Stone Farmhouse He is the man
who bid against me on the few articles |
wanted to reserve. The curse of the home
less rests upon him'
Nay. John, interposed his wife gently !;
perhaps he did not know how highly you
priced them
Yes, he did /; Parson Woods 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 thoughtfully
into the fire, I can't help plying him, he
looked SO sorrowful. He asked lots Of ques-
tons about you, mother, and all the rest of
US; and kept walking up and down the
room, wringing his hands and grooming as
if he was in great trouble
I will buy you a new coat with this,
Arthur said Mrs. Williams, as she examin-
ed anew the gold coin. You need one
badly enough she added, glancing, with a
sigh, at his we'll patched roundabout.
You shall do nothing of the sort, moth
err said the generous hearted boy. You
shall buy yourself and sissy nice warm
shawl p
Before Mrs Williams could reply there
was quiet knock at the door. Farmer
Williams opened it. 1t was only boy,
who brought small parcel for Mrs. Will
liams.
Another New Years gift, I sppose, he
said bitterly, as he handed it to her, for he
was in bitter mood. Mrs. Williams
glanced reproachfulIy at her husband
God grant that it may bring us as much
comfort she said, laying her hand fondly
upon the head that was resting against her
knee.
As she opened it, she uttered an excla
nation of surprise. 1t was a deed of He'd
Stone Farmhouse made out in her name -
On the inside wrapper were these words:
'Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of
these, ye did it unto me-
There were grateful and happy hearts be-
meath the roof of the old homestead that
night Though with Mrs Williams joy
there was mingled an uneasy feeling. She
was well assured that it was in some way
connected with Arthur, and trembled with
apprehension lest some one should appear
who had stronger claim to him. This fear
was dissipased the next morning by letter
that came to her by the first mail. 1t con-
tanned a check for five thousand dollars, to-
gether with these words:
The boy that you SO generously received
ten years ago, and have 50 tenderly cherish
ed since, will never, never be taken from
YOU. The mother, forced to relinquish her
babe, dearer to her than life, is now in
heaven. The father, who so basely forsook
his child, and her he had sworn to cherish,
is unworthy of so sacred trust. In the
s. Bank you will find the sum of $780,
900 deposited in the name Of your adopted
son, of which he is to come into possession
OF when legally of age and the interest of
which is to be appropriated to his support
and education during his minority"
To this singular letter there was neither
date or signature. There were various con.
LECTURES in regard to the stranger, who had
been in the village some days, and from
whom it was evident this letter came, as
we'll as the package received the night be-
fore.
D..A lad kn ind u.