Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-02-24
The FIRE was light and then he showed her

The FIRE was light and then he showed her
where his dishes were.
Mary Sanford was an accomplished house
keeper, and she could accommodate herself to
circumstances very narrow. While sh4swas
room ehua up sSe naX vos Onss ana s1sS
dening with its light the atmosphere Of lhe
place. 1t was little Flora bright joyous and
labllant thinking only of lave, in this first
hour of her waking from sweet refreshing
| sleep. Without word, only ripple Of glad
ness dropping from her lips, she went to where
the old man had lust sat down in the corner
and crept up again into his lap.
II can't reach your cheek uncle" she
laughed, without getting up, you are so big
And then she kissed him as she did the night
before; but not as on the night before did Ru-
fus Grote.
With a movement almost spasmodic-so
strange was 1t for him-he drew the child back
to him and imprinted hearty kiss upon the
j round cheek
4 And the words Heaven bless you. li,t.s
onet' fell from his lips before he knew it.
} Verify, the crust was broken But had any
good seed fallen upon the heart?
What an odd scene for the misers home
really good breakfast, table tastefully laid
the fumes from the teapot fresh and fragrant
and the surroundings cheerful.
Alter breakfast Rufus Grote was forced to
go away on business And ON that dav he
concluded arrangements for the leasing OF f.
=, building which was to return him a thousand
year; and he meant when the business was
J done, that he wuold be poorer than ever
! and live on less than heretofore, SO that be
!. might lay up more and more
On This same day one of his houses was
!. vacated-a dwelling in Que of the broad
q streets.
He saw his agent, and ordered him to let
. the houses as quickly as possible.
That evening, while Mrs. Sanford was OCT,
Z Flora came TO Rufus Grote'. side and looked
}, earnestly in his face.
q Uncle, she said, With quaint seriousness ess
Il 'don't you want me 10 get into your lap
II why do you aak that demanded tie Cd
1t msp.
n Mamma said l mustn't. She sad 7;a
d wouldn't like it.
a What made her think shouldn'i like H."
"a Because she said Your weren't happy-an1
10 she cried when she said that Ler little 2:rY
~ mustol make her Uncle Ruius dislike her
al and what did you say TO that" asked Rrr
at US Grote, with awakened interest.
foI 81 told mamma that / would pu NJ arr,
or around your neck, and hug aud kiss you and
IT. see if couldn't make you love me- Aud il yor
loved mS sou would let u ST On your lap"
II When Mary Sanford came in, half an hoa
n later ska fouai Ter chill 10 [ Uncle Ruius' lap
Dr. her sunny head pillowed upon lis bosom, anc
re' his strong arms entwining her.
" The good seed had fallen and had taken root
nd Three days afterwards Rufus Grots saw b
nd agent aud told him lie nsed not be 10 a burr
as. about letting The empty house.
ng, OE the evening OF that same day Mary Sa:
ford came ir with letter 10 her hand, sp
nd found Flora nestled away IN her uncle's arms
be Uncle Rufus she said, Il have received
he letter from Mrs. Maynard. She will be BON
me day after tomorrow
,ed And she wants you to ;ake charge Of L,
leu house?"
Yes"
Very se,I. Wait till she comes"
oI OF And the old man held the child 10 bis an
h,s ,o until it was time to go to BED.
,ut On the following morni0g lpcle Ruius to
yav Nary he wanted her 10 take ride with hi
So during the forenoon, aDd she aaid she was at b
pom service.
And later fue coach drew up before Il
with door, and Uncle Rufus came and babe Ma
get ready, and TO make Flora ready also.
orc They rode along, and when they stoppe
[ Iocle Rufus handed them out before hou
ynt with great chestnut tree growing in the yal
and upoa the foot-wsy
ms And he lie them ioto the house
The Ard liz tho bro.j bar3eoua.no.lo- l. 49,,
and and spoke holding Iora By tue band
H. Mary. be said. this Little child has pre-
rote isei 10 make her old uncle happy, aud v
poor not give Aer up Ihis mouse Is mine. Al
will come and help me take care OF it, v
ii TO live in it What say you?'
wing What could she say?
ould She saw the new light upon her uo:les ia:
and when he took the child in bis arms and h
s Ilss the sunny head close upon his bosom. she
.e the blessing of the coming time. She said v
,od's ' Ouis' " var
ipon psaf "h0ie, " R'o'a sua l eau MAKE
hid napPy, you may command Us both
Q did There was great wonder when Rulus Vi
Ilone appeared q wsll-dfessed, happy man.
n he Aud in the MANSION bensslh the shade Of
thai great chestnut trees, were peace snd JOY
pnna An angel, IN the shape of little child,
nave touched human heart long buried in cold i,
- ha hess snt brought 1t forth TO love and bliss.