The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1880-03-05
BRATTLEBORo, VT, FRIDAY, MARCH S, 1880
"How would you like to go out and see

What glad light came into her face
and then faded, as she said, hesitatingly
"How can go?"
"Never mind about that. You have
earned playday, and none of my trans
actions shall hinder you from enjoying
one. You had better take the children
with you the folks will want to see them.
We will go to town tomorrow, and you
can get what things you need, and Mi
randa can stay and help you get ready.
You will want to get off as soon as you
can, for you will want to make a good
long visit while you are about it."
He appeared to be anxious to hasten
her departure; but Mrs. Graham was
too happy at the thought of seeing the
home Of her childhood again to notice it
at the time.
"But what will you do without us, if
we make too long stav?"
"Don't mind about me. | can keep
bachelors hall, )" he added laughing.
Two weeks after and Mrs. Graham had
gone and Hiram Graham had the house
all to himself,
After the lapse of five weeks he went
dren. They had enjoyed the most de-
py, and as they drove homeward there
to be made. AS they neared the house
while her husband watched her face and
rubbed his hands together in quiet glee.
What was that soft lustrous gray, gleam-
ing out from among the green leaves
Was she dreaming ? No; it was the
!, ,,,
"Why, Hiram Graham, what have you
been doing?"
She looked again. And picket fence |
And the most charming little gate And |
a graveled walk, and then she could not
keep the glad tears from coming.
"Come, Jennie said Mr., Graham,
teasingly, although hi own eyes moist
sned with sympathetic happiness. don't
EEL so glad about it. | may have worse
hings yet to show you. There, how does
hat suit he asked" after they had en-
cred the house, pointing to the bay
window 81 didn't understand such things
70 l got workman who did, yon see
t is all complete, ready for the plants.
md here" he said, leading the way
through the kitchen and throwing open
he door, lis the woodhouse. and there"
pening door, ''is a pantry that can't
e beat anywhere. And this is some
hing you didn't mention" he continued,
pproaching neat sink in the kitchen,
nd laying hold of the handle Of cis-
ern pump that stood in one end, up
ushed a jet of soft water, which told of q
ood cistern underneath. Look through !
le window aud you will see covered ~,
rain that carries away all the waste !
ater. am going TO fix it SO you can
rigate your flower garden with it. You =
,e | didn't do anything with these I
lings,' he said. after they had entered :,
le sitting-room, glancing deprecatingly :,
ward the dingy -colored papering, the .
lapidated furniture and thread-bare
rpet, 81 would rather trust that to you. :,
nd besides l found that there was SO :, :,
uch real enjoyment in it that | would
generous and leave some Of the pleas
e for you. Here is the money that is :,
it," he added, presenting her goodly .,
il of bills :,
One pleasant day in autumn and all f f
as complete, and indeed, as Mr.. Gra- =
81 do believe" she said, turning toward :
,r husband with glad bright look in },
II FACET do believe that am just the :,
lppiest woman in the world" a,
He drew her gently to him. "Jennie,D F,
az t' morniSaa iat ,ona yod Rhh64hg dhrIgi spa
n the locust tree, and looking 50 in y,
ntly at the old stone building on the n
Il ?" Il
Her only answer was merry laugh. m
.Did YOU ever think so before = h
Though he asked the question hesitat- Il
gly, he looked very wistfully into her II
ce for an answer.
.'No, you dear, simple darling, and |
,ver shall again. and looking up arch =,
81 didn'tthen II
Six years had passed away, and one
light morning in spring Mr.. Graham !,
tered the house. He had changed in =;
ese years the slight roughness which .
I'd characterized MIN previously had
)rn away; there was an increased dig
ty and manlines in his bearing. His
jldren had also grown to be constant >,
urce of parental pride and delight. y
surely do our inner natures conform a,
the plan of our outward surroundings. "
e held up paper he had in his hands. n,
here, said he,. addressing his wife, IS
e deed of that Southwell forty clear 81
,m incumbrance.
"If it had not been for you, he contin- a,
d. smiling. Il should have owned 1t Il
no ago, and the whole Southwell farm, i,
., perhaps. But | thank God that | 81 81
dn't." he added, earnestly. n,
''If / had [ would have been SO close Il,
er the work-rack by this time that |
yer would be able to look up" NJ