Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-03-20

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 stay?"
Don't mind about me. can keep
bachelors hail." 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
to the station to meet his wife and
children. They had enjoyed most de-
lightful visit, and all were glad and hap
py, and as they drove hOmeward there
was much to be told, and many inquiries
to be made. As they neared the house
Mrs. Graham looked suddenly forward
while her husband watched her face and
rubbed his hands together in quiet glee.
What was that soft, lustrOus, gray,
cleaning out from among the green
leaves? Was she dreaming? No; it
was the house with its green shutters,
and pOrticOs.
"Why, Hiram Graham, what have you
been dOing%
She looked again. "And a picket
fence! and the most charming little
gate! And graveled walk, and then
she couldn't keep the glad tears from
coming.
"COme, Jennie" said Mr.. Graham,
teasingly, although his own eyes moist
ened with sympathetic happiness, "dOn't
feel so bad about it. l may have worse
things yet to show you. There, how does
that suit?" he asked after they had
entered the house, pointing to the bay
window. 81 didn't understand such
things so got workman who did. you
see; it is all complete ready for plants.
And here" he said, leading the way
through the kitchen and throwing open
the door, sis the wood house, and there"
opening door, sis pantry that can't
be beat anywhere. And this is some
thing you didn't MENTION" he continued
approaching a neat sink in the kitchen,
and laying hold of the handle of a els
tern pump that stood in one end, up
gushed Jet of soft water which told of
a good cistern underneath. "LOOk
through the window and you will see
a covered drain that carries away all
the waste water. 1 am going to fix it so
you can irrigate your flower garden with
it. You see I didn't do anything with
these things" he said, after they had en-
tered the sitting-rOOm, glancing depre-
catingly toward the dingy- colored paper
ing, the dilapidated furniture and
thread-bare carpet. II would rather
trust that to you. And besides, found
that there was much real enjoyment in
it that would be generous and leave
some of the pleasure for you. Here is
the money that is left" he added, pre-
senting her a gOOdly roll of bills.
One pleasant day in autumn. and all
was completed, and indeed, as Mr.. Ora
ham said, it looked like "a bit of Eden"
81 do believe" she said, toward her
husband, with glad. bright look in her
FACET do believe that l am just the
happiest woman in the world"
He drew her gently to him. "Jen-
nie," he said, "what were you thinking
about that morning 1 found you churn-
ing under the lOcust-tree and looking
so intently at that old stone buildinging
on the hill?"
Her only answer was merry laugh.
did you ever think so befOre?" Al
though he asked the question hesitating
ly, he looked very wistfully into her face
for an answer.
mo, you dear, simple darling, and 1
am sure l never shall again." and look
ing up archly, Il didn't Them
Six years had passed away, and one
bright morning in spring Mr.. Graham
entered the house. He had changed in
three years; the slight rOughness which
had characterized him previously had
worn away; there were an increased dig
nifty and manliness in his bearing. His
children had also grown to be con-
slant source of paternal pride and de-
light. So surely do our inner natures
conform to the plan of our outward sur
rOundings. He held up paper he had
in his hands. "There." said he, address,
ing his wife, "is the deed of that South
we'll forty, clear from encumbrance. If
it had not been for yOu," he continued,
smiling, 81 should have owned it long
ago, and the whole SOuthwell farm, too,
perhaps. But thank God that didn't"
he added earnestly. eff had 1 should
have been so close over the wOrk-rack
by this time, that never should be able
to look up"