The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-12-16

to cry again !" and, indeed, she looked
very much as il she might.
Hiram Graham had a faint idea as to
what the matter was, and was very will
ling to do as she hade him; he felt con-
siderahly annoyed that his wife could
not see the advantage OF the proposed
purchase that would 80 materially add
to their mutual property. And then be
began to wonder what she was thinking
40 silently about while she stood look
ing off toward the distant bill. A little
jealousy crept in with the thought. The
owner of that fine mansion had once
been a formidable rival of, his. There
could have been no reason for her choice
but the one she so shyly confessed to
him in the soft twilight of summer
evening ten years ago. How proud and
happy he had felt! He vowed she should
never want fol. anything .which be 1euld
procure; but he had changed since. He.
had but little to commence with; they
had to practice such rigid economy, and
to wa'ch every dollar 80 closely, to be
able to meet the payments on the farm,
that he had learned to love money, not
so much for the good it could purchase
as FOR it's own sake.
| When he ame.in to dinner, followed
by his troop Of hands, be could not help
noticing how flushed and tired she look
led, hut she was as cheerful as ever. The
mornsng cloud had passed and with the
Sweet spirit of self-sacrifce that charac.
jterized her, che had buried dead hopes
and taken up the burden of life again as
she could.
Hiram Graham was not ignorant OF
this sacrifice, and it touched him keenly
the thought OF It troubled him during
1.-THE afternoon. He even forgot to esti-
mate what the probable yield per acre
would be as the heavy ~sheaves we're
shoved of the rear platform and lay go
near together on the shorn ground. He
could not deny that his wife had worked
as hard as be during the years past, and
The economy that he had practiced had
been mostly in her domain He began
TO wish that he had treated her wishes
more respectfully, at least; but then he
lcould not help looking over to where
that forty acres lay. What choice piece
of land it was! How long be had want
ed it! And now, when it was almost
within bis grasp. must he let it gop And
even we're he to yield to Jennies wishes
now, would she not know that he had
done so reluctantly and against bis bet
ter judgment2 And during the after
nom he thought the matter over and
lover. 49,
"Po wers," he called out. as that indi-
tvidual was leaving the field at night, 'if
the folks at home can spare Miranda let
her come up in the morning and help my
vile"
4 "All right; she will be glad to come"
was the answer.
Harvest was over and Mrs. Graham
spoke Of discharging the girl.
"You had better keep her to help you,'
advised her husband.
"No," said Mrs. Graham ;swhen there
is Zone but my own family can do the
work easily enough alone. believe ]
| like to work." added she smiling; sat
least I am always bappiest when l am
busy"
"How long has it been since you have
been home to your fathers on visit3 2"
he asked abruptly. -
"Five years ago last June, when sister
Ellen was married"
How prompt the answer came; per-
haps she had counted the time.
"How would you like to 60 out and
see the folks this fall7'
What glad light came into her face.
ard then faded as she said hesitatlngly,
'How can go9'
Never mind about that You have
earned plav-dav, and none Of my
transactions shall binder you from en-.
joving one. You had better take the
children with YOU; the folks will want to
see them We will go to town to-mor-
row and you can get what things you
need, and Miranda can stay and help you
| to get ready You will want to make a
long visit while you are about it,"
He appeared to be anxious to hasten
her departure: !: but Mrs. Grahan n was too
happy at the thought Of seeing the home
Of the childhood again to notice 1t at the
time.
S"But what will you do without Us, IT
we take too long stay :"
7"Don't mind about me. / can keep
bachelors hail." be added laughing
Two weeks after and Mrs. Graham had
gone, and Hiram Graham had the house
all to himself a
After the lapse of Eve weeks he went
to the station to meet his wife and chill
dren. They had enjoyed the most de.
iightful visit, and all we're glad and hap
py, and as they drove homeward there
was much to be told and many inquiries
to he made As they neared the house
Mrs. Graham looked suddenly forward
while heY husband watched her face and
rubbed his hands together in quiet glee.
What was that soft, iustrous gray gleam-
ing out from among the green trees ?
Was she dreaming? No, it was the
house with its green shutters and porti.
cos.
"Whv, Hiram Gray, what have you
been doing?"
Size looked again. "And picket
fence! And the most charming little
gate! And q graveled walk!" And
then she couldn't keep the glad tears
from coming.
.Come, Jennie,' said Mr.. Graham,
'easinglv. although his own eyes mois
tened with sympat e.ic happiness, don't
| feel 90 glad about it. may have worse
things vet to show yon There, how
4 does that suit you ?" be asked after they
had entered the house, pointing to the
bay-window "I don't understand such
things. so got workman that did you
J see it is all complete, ready for the plants
And here" he said, leading the way
through the kitchen and thro wing open
door, sis wood-house; and here,
. opening door, ''is pantry that cant
he heat anywhere. And this is some
J thing You didn't MENTION" be continued
approaching q neat sink in the kitchen
and laying hold Of handle Of the els.
, tern pump that stood in one end ant
: gushed q jet Of soft water which told a
a good cistern underneath. "Looi
II. .