The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-09-14

! lly ana lmpauence, ana asked repeat
edly who it was, and how her father
knew about it.
"There, child, wait a minute, and
I'll tell you. It's man, a young man,
the son of Jim Harris, an old friend of
mine. You remember Jim, don't you,
wife?''
"Why, surely" said Mrs. Stacey,
smiling. $50 his boy is coming to see
us. Well, l declarer'
els he handsome?' demanded Ella,
restlessly. ...
"He used to be. | don't know
whether he is now" replied her father
innocently.
/ Ella screamed with laughter, and ex-
claimed:
g meant the young man. What do
| care about jim, as you call him?'
At this juncture stranger appeared
in their midst--an old man, with the
weight of many years resting heavily
upon him. Engrossed with their'own
affairs, they had not heard his soft step
upon the smooth lawn, and now, as his
wrinkled face, with its brown eyes and
white whiskers, peered down upon
them they were not little surprised.
Ella stared at his plain clothes, his
oaken staff, and his bent form, but
Ruth arose the instant she saw him,
and offered him her chair, with a gentle
smile.
Keep thy seat, lass, thank thee; I'd
as leave sit down upon the stoop," said
the stranger, in a cracked but kindly
voice. Then, inclining his head to-
wards John Stacey, he continued: 81
did not mean to come upon you so sud
den, friends, but don step as spright-
ly as once | did. They told me at the
village inn that mayhap you would
board me for a brief time. l did not
wish to stay there. | like better to be
in quiet family. I'm on my way to
friends at a distance, and, weary with
my long journey, | stopped here to rest.
VIII it be too much tax upon thee to
accommodate me?'
"You can't board with u.s." answer
ed John.
The old man looked from one to the
other in perpleXity.
But you can stay with us, and well
come, as long as you like" added the
eccentric farmer, grasping his guests
hand, and shaking it warmly.
THANK thee, friend; thy heart is
warm. | shall not intrude upon thee
long. This is thy good wife, and these
thy daughters? Thee must be happy
man, indeed" 49,
"You haven't had any supper, sir,
am sure?" said Mrs. Stacey, preparing
to put aside her work.
"Thank thee, supped at the inn;
do not disturb thyself. But | shall be
bold enough to ask one of thy daugh-
tiers to get me glass of water"
John Stacey motioned Ella to 90, but
she shook her head pettishly and
turned away.
With glance of mild reproof toward
her sister, Ruth arose and brought their
guest a glass of water fresh from the
well.
The old Quaker accepted it with a
few remarks to her, which she an
swered in her sweet quiet way.
The night shadows were gathering
rapidly now, and the family adjourned
to the sitting-room.
Ella was Yet sulky, and would speak
to nobody.
Take the easy chair, sir; you must
be quite tired" said Mrs. Stacey, in
her cordial, unassuming manner. eel
la, take our guests cane, and bring
him a stool to put his feet on
Ella complied, but with reluctance
that was painfully apparent.
81 fear thee will put thyself to too
much trouble" said the Quaker guest,
with benign smile. "rm glad to
feel thy hearty kindness, but thee must
not be Inconvenience. Ny name is
Samuel Peyton, but I'd like thee to call
me Friend Samuel, if thee will. There,
thank thee, my child,' as Ella placed
the stool at his feet. $50 thee, [ sup
pose, are papas pet; is it not sop
The maiden forced phantom of a
smile to her features.
"Thy cheeks are wondrously fair,
child" he continued, in lower tone,
his bright eyes scanning her features
closely. "Thee must be very thankful
for these blessings. Thee will not be
very angry with my words, know,
for l am old enough to be thy grand
father, 1 think. Doth it not appear SC
to thee?"
81 haven't thought of it," answered
Ella, yawning.
The Quaker dropped his eyes, and,
folding his arms, relapsed into silence.
"You ought to have taken more in
terest in the old man, sister," said
Ruth, when the girls were alone in
their chamber. "He seemed sad after
you answered him so indifferently
Perhaps he had daughter once, and
you made him think of herr
How very considerable you are
reioined Ella, with curling lips
You're enough to torment the life out
of anybody with your wild surmises
and fanciful conjectures. Here you
grow sentimental over an old man that
you never heard of until this evening.
Suppose he had a dozen daughters
that any reason that | should be bored
to death with his sermons? He'd have
talked to this time if I'd listened tc
him.
"You may have need of sympathy
some time, and then you'll know how
sweet it is to others. We can't afford
to be Indifferent to each other in this
world" said Ruth, gravely.
You'd better put on drab, and ac
company Friend Samuel on his travels!'