Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-04-17
Mrs. Sandford made her appear

uuCcs .H...
"Good morning, Uncle RNfils."
Had the host caught that sound
when he first arose it would have
startled him; but it fell very softly
upon his ears now. He had been
exercising, and had earned the sa-
lutte.
"Good morning, Mary" returned
Rufus aud, so odd was it, that the
very tones of his own voice surpris-
ed him.
"What can I do for you this
morning, uncle May get break
fast for you ~
81 will light u fire." said the
man, Sand then, if you please, you
may make u cup of tea.'
The fire was lit, and then he
showed where his dishes were.
Mary Sandford was an accom-
pliShed housekeeper, and she conld
accommodate herself to cilcum-
stances very narrow. While she
was busy a ray of fresh sunshine
burst into the room, lighting up the
dingy walls, and making golden
with it's ligh: the atmosphere of the
place. 1t was little Flora, bright,
joyous, and jubilant, thinking only
of love in this first hour of her wax
ing from sweet refreshing sleep.
Without a word, only a ripple of
gladness dropping from herlips, she
went to where the old man had just
sat down in the corner, and crept up
into his lap.
81 can't reach your cheek, uncle"
she laughed ''without getting up
you are SO big, and | am so little
And then she kissed him as she
had done the night before; but not
as on the night before did Rufus
GrOte.
With a movement almost spas
modic-so strange was it for him
he drew the child back to him, and
imprinted a hearty kiss upon her
round cheek.
And the worlls-"Heaven bless
YOU, little one!' 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 miser's
home !! A really good breakfast, q
table tastefully laid, the fumes from
the teapot fresh and fragrant, and
the surroundings cheerful.
After breakfast Rufus Grote was
forced to go away on business.
And on that day he concluded ar
rangements for the leasing of a
building which was to return him Il
thousand a year; and he meant,
when the business was done, that he
would be poorer than ever, and live
on less than heretofore, so that lie
might lay up more and more.
On the same day one of his houses
were vacated-a dwelling in one of
the broad streets.
He saw his agent, and ordered him
to let the house as quickly rs possi.
ble.
That evening, while Mrs. Sand
ford was out, Flora came to Rufus
side, and looked earnestly in
his face. =
"Unclc," she said, with quain Sc
"don't you want me to get
into your lap?"
"Why do you ask that ?" demand
ed the old man.
"Mamma said l mustn't. She
said you wOuldn' like it,"
"Nhat made her think l should
r't like it p
"Because she said you weren't
lappy-and she cried when SIZE said
that her little girl mustn't make her
Uncle Rufus dislike her."
"And what did you say to that 2"
asked Rufus Grote, with awakening
interest.
81 told mamma that I would put
my arms around your neck, and hug
md kiss you, and see if l couldn't
make you love me. And if you love
ne knew you would let me sit in
,our lap"
When Mary Sandford came in
lalf an hour later, she found her
;hild in Uncle Rufus lap, her sunny
lead pillowed upon his bosom, and
lis strong arms entwining her.
The good seed had fallen, and
lad taken root
Three days afterward Rufus
irote saw his agent, and told him
hat he need not hurry about letting