Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-04-19

W "Here that Iorty lay. What
a choice piece of land il was
How long he wanted it. And now
when it was almost within his grasp,
must he let it go. And even if he
was to yield to Jennie's wishes now
wouldn't she know that he had
done so reluctantly, and against
his better judgment! And so du-
ring the afternoon he thought the
matter over and over.
"Powers," he called out as that
individual was leaving the field at
night. "If the folks at home can
spare Miranda, let her come up in
the morning, and help my wife,"
"All right, she will be glad to
come" was the answer.
Harvest was over, and Mrs. Gra-
ham spoke of discharging the hired
girl. "Yoh had better keep her to
help your advised her husband.
"No,' said Mrs. Graham, "when
there is none but my own family. l
can do the work easily enough
alone. l believe l like to work."
she added smiling; "at least l am
always happiest when l am busy"
"How long has it been since YOU
have been home to your fathers on
a visit" he asked abruptly.
Give years ago last June when
sister Ellen was married"
How prompt the answer came.
Perhaps she had counted the time.
"How would you like to 60 out
and see the folks this fall?"
What glad light came into her
face, and then faded, as she said
hesitatingly, "But can I now ?"
"Never mind about that. You
have earned holiday, and none of
my transactions shall hinder Won
from enjoying one. You had bet
ter 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 yon will
want to make a good long visit
while 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
again, to notice it at the
time.
"But what will you do without
US, if we make long stay %
"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, aud many en-
quiries to be made. AS they near
ed the house, Mrs. Graham sudden
ly leaned eagerly forward, while
her husband watched her face, and
rubbed his hands together in quiet
glec. What was that soft lustrous
gray, cleaning out from among the
green treesl Was she dreamingl
No, it was the house with its green
shutters, aud porticos.
"Why, Hiram Graham, what have
you been doing 2"
She looked again. "And a pick
IT fence! And the most charming
little gate And a graveled walk !"
And then she couldn't keep the
glad tears from coming.
"Come, Jennie" said Mr.. Gra-
iam teasingly, although his eyes
noistened with sympathetic hap
,iness. "Don't feel so bad about
t. | may have worse things yet TO
how you. There, how does that
uit you 2" he asked after they had
'ntered the house, pointing to the
,ay window. al didn't understand
uch things, so l got workman
hat did; you see it is all COM
,lete, ready for the plants. And
lere," he said, leading the way
through the kitchen and throwing
'pen door, "is the woodhouse
md here" opening q door, "is a
pantry that can't be beat anywhere.
And there is something you didn't