Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-11-05
and then faded, as she said hesitatingly

How can / goF"
Never mind about that. You have |
earned play day, and none of my trans !
actions shall hinder you from enjoying |
one. You had better take the children
with you the folks will want TO see them.
We will go to town tomorrow and you
can get what things you need, and Miranda
can stay and help you get ready. You Will
want to get off as soon as YOU can, for you
will want to make good, long visitwhile
you are about it,"
He appeared to be anxious to hasten her
departure; but Mrs. Graham was too
happy at the thought of seeing the home
of her childhood again to notice 1t at the
time.
"But what will you do without US, if we
make long stayT'
"Don't mind about me. can keep
bachelors hail." he added, laughing. Two
weeks after and Mrs. Graham and the
children had gone and Hiram Graham
had the house all to himself.
After the lapse of five weeks he went to
the station to meet his wife and children.
They had enjoyed the most delightful OF
! visits and all were glad and happy, and
! as they drove homeward there was much
to be told, and many inquiries 10 be made.
! As they neared the house Mrs. Graham
suddenly leaned eagerly forward, while
| her husband watched her face and rubbed
his hands together In quiet glee. What
was that soft, lustrous gray, cleaning out
! from among the green uees2 Was she
dreaming? No, it was the house, with its
green shutters and porticos.
"Why Hiram Graham, what have you
been doing?"
She looked again. And a picket
fencel And the most charming little
gate! And a graveled waikiki And then
She couldn't keep the glad tears from
coming.
"Come, Jennie" said Mr. Graham
teasingly, although his own eyes moist
ened with sympathetic happiness, don't
feel so bad about it. may have worse
things yet to show you. There, how does
that suit your" he asked after they had
entered the house, pointing to the bay
window "I didn't understand such
things, so got workman that did; you
see it is all complete, ready for the plants.
And here" he said, leading the way
/, through the kitchen and throwing open a
door, "is the woOdhouse; and here, y
opening door, " is pantry that can't
be beat anywhere. And this is something
YOU didn't MENTION" he continued, ap-
} proaching neat sink in the kitchen; and
laying hold of the handle of clstern
pump that stood in one end up gushed a
Jet of soft water, which told of a good CHS
/ tern underneath. Look through the
( window and you will see covered drain
that carries away all the waste water.
a am going to fix il so you can irrigate youl
. flower garden with it. You see | didn'
I do anything with these things" he said
, after they had entered the sitting-room
glanciug depreciatingly toward the dingy
/ papering, the dilapidated furniture and
) thread bare carpet. 81 would rather
! trust that to YOU And besides l found
: there was so much real enjoyment in i
I that would be generous and leave som'
t of the pleasure for you. Here is the mon
0 ey that is left" he added, presenting her
0 goodly roll of bills.
v One pleasant day in autumn and all wa
It complete, and indeed, as Mrs. Grahan
i said, it looked like ga bit of Eden" "
do believe" she said, turning toward he
v husband, with such glad, bright look Il
I. her face do believe that am just til
!. happiest woman in theworld."
v lie drew her gently to him. Jennie,
n he said, "what were you thinking abor
e that morning that found you churnin
!, under the locust tree and looking so II
a tently at that old stone building on tn
o hill?'' Her only answer was a merr
r laugh ,, 4,
u ibid you ever think so before?' A
D though he asked the question hesitatingll..
:, he looked very wistfully into her face IL
an answer.
N "No, you dear, simple darling, and
re- am sure never shall again; and" 100
+. in g up, archly, " / didn't then"
Six years had passed away, o. n
n bright morning in spring MIR. .roi,on
tered the house. He sd chon%ed
~, those years; the sight roupbness wbi
sh characterized hIm previously had VIC
he away; there was an increased dignity a
nj, manllness in his bearing. His children a
,at had grown to be constant source of pat
TO nal pride and delight So surely do our inn
,iv natures conform TO the plane of our o
he ward surroundings. He held up par
INF which he had in his hands. "There,"
lai said, addressing his wife, sis the deed
er that SouthVFell forty, clear from encu
nj brance. If it had not been for you,"
he continued, smiling, al should Ii,
in owned thu long ago, and the whole Sou
ne well farm, too, perhaps. But thank G
nj that didn't" he added, earnestly. ~
m had Y would have been bent so close O,
lv the work-rack by this time that ne,
shHnld be able to look up."- Westt
w GRral.