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


wfping the thick perspiration from his
brohzed forehead.
sWho do you think has sent for you to
come right over there, after dinnerT
asked Mrs. Taylor.
a can't tell, Pm sure"-throwing him
self down on a chair by the window.
TITS too hot to go anywhere before
night"
"Abel Ross has sent for you, Reuben.
The hired man says he's able to sit VI
two or three hours every day, and the
doctor says he's out of danger, though
he'll never be the man he was before hls
fali." .e
"Td calculated on getting through
with the south field this afternoon" said
Reuben, irresolutely.
Hadn't you better lot it lay over, my
dear boyw timidly interposed Mrs. Tay-
lor, as she placed platter OF young corn
Ion the dinner table.
The young man pondered while, and
at last audibly concluded: "Well, rcck-
on may as well risk it."
The farmer nodded to Reuben as
he entered, and motioned him to
chair; he had always been man
of deeds rather than words; and thosc,
hard, selfish, grinding, cruel deeds %
many who were in his power.
"keuben Taylor" said Farmer Ross,
looking with his deep-set eyes full in the
young mans face, 'do you know that you
saved my life the other day?"
81 think do, sir" answered Reuben,
in his straightforward, outspoken way.
"And do You know that / probably
laid your father in his gravew And this
time swarthy color crcpt slowly upinto
the ghastly cheeks of the old man,
Il believe you did, sir" Nowonder
that Reuben's voice faltered little now
as the memory of his father flashed over,
him.
"Well, Reuben Taylor, I've thought
this all over in my sickness; and it's
laid very heavy on my conscience Of
nights to think that I'd been the means
of killing the father, and the son had
saved my life. So / resolved to make
you and yours all the reparation in my
power; and there's the deed to the old
Brook Farm, without a flaw or mort
gage"
"Sir-sirp muttcred Reuben, rubbing
{. .his hands across his eyes, and staring at
the old man, for he must be dreaming.
"There it is, safe and sound, and no
'body'll be smart enough TO get it from
ye, or yer heirs, this time, | reckonW
Then the truth dazzled and broke into
Reuben's heart. He thought of all this,
and it was too much-he bowed his head
on his hands and burst into tears.
Reuben" the voice of Farmer Ross
certainly had quiver of feeling in it,
and the hard, scrawny hand was laid
tremulous!y on the youths thick hair
"are you sorry to get the old place backT'
"Sorry!" he was answered when Reu-
ben lifted up his face. ooh, Farmer
Ross, how can thank your
"You need not try. It's only making
amends, you know, for, though the law
was on my side, the Lords shown me
that l never had any right to the old
Brook Farm; and hope you'll forgive
me for taking it from you"
And Reuben Taylor took the old farm
er's hand, and answered solemnly, "The
Lord God is my witness that ] do from
this hour"
1t was an evening full of the glory of
stars and the crystal lustre Of moonlight.
The full clear silver light lay in the river
and lakes, over the meadows, and sheathed
the limbs of the orchard trees, and slept
in long glittering spears on the low roof OF
the yellow-brown cottage. Charity Ames
sat under the small porch on the low sill
of the front door. and her sweet face
looked out sadly on the night.
Il n1o I,n andJ
CHARITY, little Charity" exclaimed a
voice which always made her heart
leap. She sprang up, but not
before he had seen the tears
she thought she had hidden. . ..
: "T've got good news for you, Charity
glorious newsp The triumphant ring Of
: the voice cut through the still night air.
"What is it, ReubenT
"I've got back old Brook FARM
"Oh, Reuben, | must be dreaming!'
d And she put her hands to her eyes just
q as he had done that afternoon.
He slipped his arm around her waist
'No, it's true, every word of it, Charity
I I've got the deed safe at home. Pll ten
n you all about it." And he seated hel
: back on the door-sill, and knelt by hel
e side and related the story Of his inter
e view with Farmer Ross to the bewL
dered, delighted girl.
"Oh, Reuben, am so glad!'
1T Her joyful tears said the rest.
:: 'Pve got few repairs to put on TN
st old place, and by next fall it'll be read.
+ for YOU, Charity little CharityW
Her face fell in burning blush on hi
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