The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-08


You remember Jim don't you. ~je?" -
"Why, surely" said M'% Stacey, smiling.
$50 his boy Is coming 70 zee u& Well,
declared"
SIS as handsome ?" demanded Ella, rest
lessly. ... ..At
''IIe used to be. I don't know whether
he is now, replied the father, innooently.
Ella screamed with laughter, and ex.
claimsd.--
81 meant the young man. What do I
care about Jim, as you call him 2"
Atthis junoture a stranger appeared in
their midst-an old man-with tho weight
of many years resting upon him. En-
crossed with their own aifairs, they had
not heard his soft step upon the smooth
lawn, and now, as his wrinItIed face with
its brown eyes and white whiskers peered
down upon them they were not littlo
surprssd 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 gentle smile.
keep thy seat, lass, thank thee; I'd as
lief sit down upon the stoop," said the
stranger, in cracked but kindly voice.
Then inclining his head toward John
Stacey, he continued, II didn't mean to
Genre upon thee SO sudden, but I don't
etep as sprightly as once 1 did. They told
me at the village inn that mayhap you
would board me for a short time. I did
not wish TO stay there; like better to be
in quiet family. Pm on my way to q
friends at distance, and, weary with my
long journey, stopped here to rest. Will
it be too much tax upon thee to accommo-
date mer ....r
''You can't board with u.s." answered
John.
The old man looked from one to tho
other in perplexity. .., 90 ..- -,
"But you oan stay with us, In welcome,
as long as you like" added the eccentric
farmer, gfaspins his guests hand and
shaking 1t warmly.
'"Thank thee, friend; shy heart is warm.
I shall not intrude upon thee long. This
is thy good wife, and these thy daughtersp
Thee must be happy man, indeed"
'tYeu 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 I, shall be bold
enough to ask one of thy daughters to gst
ms glass Of water."
John Stacey motioned Ella to 90, but
she shook her head pettishly and turned
away. With agance of mild reproof to.
ward her sister, Rrth arose and brought
their guest glass Of water fresh from tie
well, The old Quaker accepted it with
grateful smile, and then addressed few
remarks to her, which she answered in her
sweet, quiet way
The night shadows were gathering rapid
y now, and the famiiy adjourned to tie
sitting room. Ella wA yet sullLy, and
would speak to nobody.
Take the easy chair, sir; you must be
lnite tired, said Mrs. Stacey, in her cor.
Hal, unassuming manner. ELLA, take our
guests cane and bring him stool to put
lis feet on"
Ella complied, but with o reluctance that
vas painfully apparent.
ri fear thee will put thyself to too much
roubie, " said the Quaker with benign
mile. "1'm glad to feel thy hearty kind
less, but thee must not be inconyenienced.
Iy name Is Samuel psyton. but I'd like
bee to call me Friend Samuel if thee will,
there, tLank thee, my child" as Ella
'laced the stool at his feet. $50 thee,
suppose, are papu's pet; is it not SO 7"
The maiden forced a phantom Of smi,o
D her features
"Fhy cheeks are wonderfully fair,
hid, he continued, in lower tone lis
right eyes scanning her features closely.
Thee must be very thankful for these
lessings. Thee will not be angry with
~ words, know. am old enough to
e thy grandfather, think. Does ii not
ppear 30 to thee 7"
81 haven't thought of It," answered Ella,
awning
The Quaker dropped his eyes, and fold
lg his arms relapsed into silence.
"You ought to have taken more interest
/ the poor old man, sister," said Ruth,
hen the girls were alone in their cham
er. He seemed sad after you answered
i'm SO inditfereutly. Perhaps he had a
anghter once, and you made him think
her." 5u. a-.ss.. .-r.,
GLOW very considerate you are," re-
'ined Ella, with curling lips. you're
lough to torment the life out of anybody
ith your wild surmises and fanciful con.
ctures. Here you grow sentimental
'er an old man that you never heard of J
ptil this evening. Suppose he had dozen {
sughters--is that any reason that should ]
, bored to death with his germons2 Had