Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-05-15

to come from, that need in addition
to what can make out, is more thar
can see."
"Sell the COW, George" advised Ell
len. "You was offered sixty dollars
for her, you know"
ssBut what can we do for butter, anC
for cream in our coffee, and all that 2
"Do without for a time, dear. A
home is great deal more important
to us than any table luxury. Besides
you shall not suffer- These little self.
denials you know, are almost unavoid
able, if we would fairly hoe out oul
row."
George, like sensible man, took his
wife's advice; and the satisfaction he
felt, as he paid the money promptly and
took his receipt, far exceeded that
which any table enjoyment could af-
ford him.
4 Ellen ransacked her memory for
economical sauces and gravies, to take
the place of Debby's golden butter and
yellow cream; and she never forgot
to stir a .well-beaten egg into the cof-
fee, and SO improved its richness that
George scarcely missed his favorite
luxury.
1 Steadily onward he hoed his row
until the place was all his own. The
old loved home had put on new face
out doors and in. There were shrubs
and rose bushes in abundance in the
once tangled and brier grown door
yard, and fine young orchard was
blooming on the sunny slope toward
the south.
There were files of agricultural pa
pers on the broad shelf of the library,
and choice selection of miscellaneous
books above them. There were little
tasteful appointments here and there
about the cheerful sitting room, but
the bright hoe was never displaced by
any gem or crystal. The pretty self
framed pictures might look down up
on it If they. choose; it could not be
4 looked out of countenance.
George was respected and known
by all his ncighbore, and the stranger
who shared, but for q night, the gem
erous hospitality of his broad hearth
stone went away to speak, years after,
of the pleasant hours he spent there,
and of the kind attentions Of the gen.
tie wife, whose wide heart took in
| every suffering, sorrowful one on
| earth, AHc OiCssAAS VI AO AOIu Woe
| upon the household, and it is that
alone (which maketh rich, and he ad-
deth no sorrow with it."
| Years sped apace, when, one ruddy
October, circular autograph letter
went round the circloof brothers, bid,
ding them all come to the golden we'd
ding. And the call gathered them in
from their distant homes.
There was racket of merry, youth
full voices, and the children
romped through the old halls; but
grandfather's face was brimful of
smiles, and grandma's pet namesake,
gentle, dignified Grace, took the reins
of government into their hands, so all
moved on most harmoniously, reliev-
ing mother Of all care, and leaving
them to chat to their hearts content.
Carrie was the daughter-in-law liv-
ing nearest home, SO the care of the
| feast fell on her. .Grandma must not
stir from her rocking-chair' until all
was upon the table. Indeed, 1t would
be hard for her to accomplish much
| with so many little runaways under
feet all the time, whose manifold per.
fections must continually be observed
and commenced on.
The evening lamp was lighted, and
! little fire wac burning in tho open
| fireplace, as all were seated in the old
home room.
William, the eldest born, stepped
forth from the little group, and ad-
vancing to his gray-haired father,
said:
at is twenty-five years since the
| first of us went forth from this roof to
| make his way in the world. As each,
in turn, took his departure, you pre-
| sented him with q bright, new hoe,
with the Injunction, "Hoe out your
row. How we have followed your
directions and the lessons of industry,
perseverance, Christian integrity and
self-denial you have always taught, it
remains for you to judge. As token
that we have not forgotten your teach
ings, in the name of my brothers and
myself, present this hoe to you," and
| with bow he laid it upon the little
round stand before him.
The old man dropped his lead,
and the thin hair fell over his tenn
Piles as he simply said, with ohoked
voice:
"God bless the boys!"
"Mother," said Ralph, advancing to
her side, "we all know you would not
desire any gifts or jewels and gold
] ornaments, such as are common on
these occasions. But we thought the
contents of this little box might add
some comfort to your lives which we
should delight to bestow, il we were
not so widely separated" He placed in
her hands beautiful gilt casket, con-
tanning four of the broadest pieces
the mint turns out, with q liberal
sprinkling of smaller yellow drops
from the little grandchildren.
Now, father" said Dominic Ned,
as he walked up to the stand, 81 must
give you my present." and he laid be-
fore him beautiful copy Of the Tes-
lament and Psalms, printed in very
large, clear type, so grateful to the
failing sight of age. In bright gilt
letters on the side were stamped the
words, 81 love thy commandments
above gold; yea, above fine gold"
"Now, perhaps, we had better sing
our evening hymn; and, after wor-
ship, let the little ones tramp off to bed. /"
The patriarch knelt among his flock,
and prayer, from his full heart, FOR
GOQ 9 Dlesslng upon tneW, was 0s II
he had entered within the vale. There
were tears ON many cheeks when they
rose, and subdued tone ran even in
the "good nights" of the merry chill.
dren.
! Then all drew up about the fire, and
told over the tales of other days.
William told how he had hoed out q
pretty hard row in the new place
where he had sought to establish him.
self as a physician But after due
waiting, the s'first physician came at
last, and the second, and so on, until
now he was the old physician Of the
place, with two young men in the
Office with me-"
Dominic Ned otherwise Rev. Ed.
ward Lent detailed some of the
"Shady Side" experiences of his first
charge, but they were pleasantly re.
lieved by the many "Sunny Side" in.
cidents his wife took care to suggest al
he went along.
George and Ralph compared farm
notes, and altogether the evening pass.
| a1 nc onlv such uafherinOs hy euch 8