The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-09-08
THE POWER OF BLACK
GRAPE.

S4NAAA A1s
When Mr. Greyson bought a seaside
home, he found that, like all O:he
worldly acquisitions, it brought its at
I tendant anxieties with it. What was t.
be done for the safety of the city house
with its costly draperies and ornaments
and the rich wardrobes not needed in hot
weather. 1t would never do to leave all
these treasures unguarded; and Mrs
Greyson could not spare oneof her trusty
girls to watch them.
A teamster who lived in a narrow back
street near by, was preparing for sum-
mer rest for his family with the old
folks" up among the white hills. When
all was ready, he turned his key, put it
in his pocket, and went off as easy in
mind as if his castle were garri.Oned by
armed troops. He knew very well that
burglars did not want his cooking stove,
nor his hair-cloth sofa and rocking chair.
So, if he was not blessed with a new
house at the seaside, neither was he bur
dened with the care of a costly one in the
city.
Mr.. Greyson decided to inquire for
some quiet person to leave in the house
some widow, to whom the saving of a
summers rent might be an object.
The opportunity was soon widely known,
and half dozen most undesirable per-
sons, and some of them with large fami-
lies, applied for the place. But they
were not to be thought of; and Mr.. and
Mrs. Greyson found their hearts rapidly
hardening against all summer house
keepers, when one day there came gen.
teel person, robed in black, and sending
uD her name as 3 Mrs. Wilcox called.
Her face had most mournful expression,
and her voice plaintive tone that was
really very touching.
She had seen better days" but her
husband having died soon after invest
ing all he owned in an expensive build
ing operation, had left her poor. She
had a frail young daughter to support,
as well as herself, and the needle was
her only resort. Her rent was her
great trouble, and if she could avoid
paving it for a few months, she was
sure she could then get on very well
for the rest of the year. Mr.. Greyson
was one of the most tender-hearted
men in the world. There were two
appeals to his sympathy which he never
could withstand-a woman's tears and
black Grape weeds.
After looking at two or three Every
recommendations from
persons he never heard of-and con-
,ulting a few moments in the back
,arlor with his wife, he said with real
pleasure: Well, Mrs. Wilcox, we
nave decided to let you keep the
house till September. You will find
'uel, -four, tea and sugar here, and if
you fall shert of anything you may take
nv book to the store and do not spend
INV of your own money while here"
The widow drew the magic Grape veil
over her face and left, looking ten years
Younger than when she came. And
zind Mr.. Greyson felt younger too, and
remarked that he should enjoy his sum-
ner better for knowing that, by his buy
ing that house, needy person would
have good home for months.
One night, after a few weeks, Mr..
Greyson being detained in town, passed
through his own fine avenue, and saw
as he thought, his neighbor Leland's
house-it could not be his own-gaily
lighted, and heads bobbing about in the
dance, and heard the sound of violin
breaking on the quiet air of the deserted
neighborhood.
he said to himself: 81 thought the
LeIands were at the mountains-queer
taste to have q dance this hot
night"
He glanced up at the windows of the
next house, where one pale light was
glimmering, and felt very glad that he
had been so well able to provide for the
security of his own home.
Several times during the summer, at
the suggestion of kind Mrs. Greyson,
who feared the widows modesty would
made her too prudent, he sent her pair
of chickens, and half dozen baskets of
strawberries and he felt the poor wo-
mans interests to be his own, as be
thought of her pale face as seen through
her veil.
The summer wore pleasantly away,
and September was passing, with now
and then a chilly day. As the even
ings grew too cool for rowing, the
Greyson's decided to return to town.
They sent word to Mrs. Wilcox to have
a good fire in the library on the ap-
pointed evening, and generously offer
ed her and her child a home, till they
could make arrangements for them
selves.
1t was raw, chilly night when the
Greyson's filed two hacks with them
selves and their baggage and rode IN
town, happier to get back to their
home than they had been TO leave it.
Great was their surprise, however, on
drawing up to the door, to find the
house all dark. 1t was evident, Mr.
Greyson said, that Mrs. Wilcox had not
received his note, and that she and her
daughter had gone out. There thev
stood, a weary, shivering group, on the
deoysteps, Mr.. and Mrs. Grevson eor-