Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-11-05

the right there was q stretch of low |
meadow land the silver thread that trav- |
ersed IL showed where brook murmured |
along, its tiny waves sparkling in the sun |
light. To the left there were fields of grain |
with ripened heads bowed, waiting for the |
sickle. The air was full of happy sounds;
the soft tinkle of distant cow-bells; the |
voices of domestic fowls, and the song of
wild birds. But her great disappointment
overshadowed il all.
She could think of nothing but the
great, barn-like house, painted a glaring
red with its large, shutterless windows,
like lidless eyes, staring out upon the
dusty highway. Inside 1t was equally as
barren Of grace or beauty; the walls were
dingy and unadorned by pictures of any
kind; the furniture was worn guiltless OF
paint or varnish; with no works of litera-
ture worthy of mention beside the weekly
paper, a Bible and an almanac. In this
atmosphere she must live; here she must
henceforth work on while mind and soul
starve here, too, she must rear her chill
dren, to see worth or beauty in nothing
which cannot be represented by gold.
| What wonder, then, if her eyes and
| thoughts wandered over the fields of way
| ing grain to where a stately stone house
stood upon an eminence. She knew there
was beauty there; the breezes stole into
large, airy rooms, through lace curtains;
there were rich carpets and costly furni-
ture, and a library that was almost an in
| tellectual feastt to but look at; outside there
were pleasant walks and drives, and
| flower garden, filled with the rarest floral
treasures; and then she sighed softly as
she thought to herself, q" But love would
not have been there, and life would have
been of little worth without that"
"Jennlel Jennie! Oh, here you arew
and Mr.. Graham came out through the
back kitchen door and seated himself upon
the edge of huge log that had been
hewn out and did duty for both cave
trough and cistern. 1t was not unusual
for him to seek her; he always did when
he came in and found her not in the house.
1t was habit of the man. His very life
seemed bound up in her; and although he
had the reputation among his neighbors of
being "close" in his business transac-
tions, he was nevertheless kind-hearted
and generous, too, in his way. This
morning, however, he had something of
importance to communicate.
81 didn't tell you last evening" )" he said,
1" that l had already had some talk with
Southwell about that land. He wouldn't
listen to a cent under So, 900 then, and
wouldn't offer more than 81 800. He
came over this morning to see me and he
offered to split the difference. Amt that
a bargain, thought A little better than
spending money for paint and paper-eh,
Jennie? Oh,' he said, rising to go,
came near forgetting to tell you, Powers
is here. He wants TO hire out through
harvest have hands enough, but l sup.
pose the more help have. the better
shall get along, so told him to go righj
> | of JvOrly I dom oi1nnnSa 10 hos hppn tC
breakfast yet, his folks are so slack SC
you might set on bit for him to eat. Try
and have the lunch ready by half-pas
nine; you can blow the horn, and ! vii
send one of the men down Tor it."
Poor Jennie! 1t was like the last straw
that broke the camel's back. She strug
gled hard, but the tears would come. Mr.
Graham turned back and came instantly
to her side when he saw that she was il
trouble. What is the matter, dear?" h
! asked, compassionately while his large
kind hand glided down her hair with
soft, caressing touch. There was N,
answer and the tears only came the faster
If you are not feeling well / will sill
down and get Miranda Powers to come VI
and help you. guess I'd better, anyway
hadn't I?''
Mrs. Graham mastered her emotio
i
! isn't anything the matter, only am lii
: tie nervous this morning"
Mr.. Graham hesitated; he was not e1
: tirely satisfied with this explanation.
=" Therel" she said. "Now do 6
along TO your work, or I shall be foOlis
' enough to cry again." and indeed 81
, laughed very much rs if she nrigh
Hiram Graham had faint idea as To VIII
the matter was, and was very willing
r do as she bade him. He felt consiSierab
. annoyed that his wife could not see Il
advantage of this proposed purchase th
. would so materially add to- their mutu
!. prosperity. And then he began TO wondt
; what she was thinking so silently abo
while she stood looking off toward Il
i distant hill. A little jealousy crept
e with the thought. The owner of that fin
mansion had once been a formidable rivi
of his. There could have been no reaso
for her choice but the one she so shyl
q confessed to him in the soft twilight of
: summer evening ten years ago Ho'
proud and happy he had feltl He vowe
: that she should never want for anythin
= which his labor could procure. But b
y had changed since. He had but little
y commence life with; they had to prs .cti
such rigid economy, and to watch eve
. dollar so close to be able to meet the pa
L ments on the farm, that he had learned
= love money, not so much for the good
u could purchase as for Its ow sake. VIII,
. he came in TO dinner, followed by b
y y troop of hands, he could not help noticiI
= how flushed and tired she looked but 81
was as cheerful as ever. The morniI
cloud had passed and with the swe
:, spirit of self-sacrtiice that characteriz,
y her she had buried her dead hopes al
: taken up the burden of life again as be
she could.
+ Hiram Graham was not ignorant of th
Il sacrifice, and it touched HIM keenly; Il
Is thought of it troubled him during Il
.r afternoon. He even forgot to estima
/. what the probable yield per acre would b
n as the heavy sheaves were showed off d
ir reaper platform, and lay so near togeth
Ie on the shorn ground. He could not der
.. that his wife had worked as hard as
" during the years past, and the econon
20 that had been practiced had been most
ls in her domain. He began TO wish that
had treated her wishes more respectful
IN at least. But then he could not but he
d looking over to where that forty la
sr What choice piece of land it wasl Ho
v long he had wanted i'll And now, when
was almost within his grasp, must he ]
Te ii go? And even If he was To Weld
ir Jennie's wishes now, Wouldn't she knO
IL that he had done SO reluctantly, an
g. against his better judgmentY And so du
N ing the afternoon he thought the matt
~ over and over.
le Powers" he called out ss that ind
d vidual was leaving the field at night, g
IL the folks at home can spare Miranda,
It her come up in the morning and help n
at wife"
IS CAN right, she will be glad to come
10 was the answer.
Harvest was over, and Mrs. Graha
=" spoke of discharging the girl. "You HI
better keep her to help YOU" advised h
re husband.
ID No." said Mrs. Graham "when the
le is none but my own family can do 4
OF work easy enough alone. believe Iii
l. to work" she added smiling; at least
am always happiest when am busy"
nj Havy lan0 1aao IL haan uinoa xtn,, l.