Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-01-01

she shut the pantry door with .
bang that made all the jelly cups and
milk pans rattle, while Job, with an
odd grimace, went out to help the
guest TO alight.
| Don't mind my old woman said
he apologetioally, as Mira Ellsworth,
sprang to the ground, she's kind q
short spoken but she means we'll. at
ter all. We aiat all just alike in orr
notions, You know.
If all The world were like you, sir,
said the young widow, with tears n
her eyes, there would be less want
and suffering, by far
Farmer Kaynesford pretended NOT
TO hear; he was lift ng little Mary
out.
Set On Them bsashuerrIes, uaunaIi,
said he,toward the close Of the even
ing meal; the little girl is so tired
she cant eat nolhin' solid.'
Il was calculating TO keep the
blackberries for the donation party,
to morrow, said Mrs. Kaynesford,
rising with an unwilling cir.
Nonsense !! quotl the man, with a
broad laugh; I'm having a donation
parry OF my own, to night. Here,
little one. see if these berries don't
put so.ae color into your cheeks.
All the evening Mary sat by the
hearth, with her hands in her moth
er's and her large blue eyes fixed
earnestly upon the kind farmers
face
what are you thinking about,
dearest 2 asked Mrs. Ellsworth once.
She drew long sigh, and whiepered:
oh, mamma. he ia so kind to us.
When Mary Ellsworth and her lit
tie girl sat out next morning upon
their long walk to Breckton, Job
Rsynesford went with them to the
gate, tumbling uneasily in his pocket
and glancing guilty around to make
sure that Hannah was not within
seeing distance. When Mary ex
tended her hanl to say good bye, to
her astonishment a bank bill was
thrust into 1t.
Don't say nothin',' mnttered Job
with a sheep,sh air. Ten dollars
amt much to me, aud if you dom,
"aance to get work in the factory
right away, it may be q good deal -
use to you. Needn't thank me-you
are as welcome as flpwers In May
He ber I over to kiss the child fair
forehead, and stood Watching the two
slight figures disappear, until only
the golden sky and moving crests OF
summer woods remained.
Ten dollars! calculated Mrs
Raynesford, who had witnessed the
little episode from behind the cur
iains OF her milk room window. Il
job Raynesford crazy? To give ten
dollars to poor, strolling vagrsnt !!
II ne don't get piece Of my mind
And she fastened out, her cap Dor
der fairly standing on end with hor
ror. job awaited the coming tenn
pest with philosophical GOODNESS, his
hands in his pockets and his lips part
ed in good natured smile. It was
not the tirst piece of Mrs. Hannah's
mind that had been bestowed upon
nlm. nor did he suppose it was likely
to De tho last.
'She means WE'LL he said to him
self when the volley of wrath had
been discharged on his luc, less head,
and Mrs. R.ynesford had returned To
her butter making. But she's got the
greatest facilities for scolding Of any
woman ever saw
The years fitted by, sprinkling the
steep old farm house with crystal
drops of April showers, and tha.ch.
ing it with the dazzling ermine Of
January SHOWS, many and many q
time. Gray hairs crept In among the
raven locks of farmer iynestord,
care worn wrinkles began to creep
around his mouth and brow. Alas /!
those swift footed years brought,
troubles innumerable to the kind old
man.
Twenty years' unused be, one
bright June morning; sit don't seem
poss BILE Hannah, that it was twenty
years ago this very day that caught
that ugly fall from the hay rack, and
got crippled for llie.'
He looked down at the crutches
that lay by his side as he spoke, ami
sighed from the very depths OF his
heart.
Hannah stood in the door way
tossing corn TO forlorn little colony
OF chickens. Twenty years had not
improved her in any respect she
was gaunter, bonner and more vine.
gar faced than ever.
Yes, said she slowly, land perhaps
you don't remember that it was just
twenty years ago to day that you
threw ten dollars away on that WON
an and her child l told you that
you'd end your days in the poor
house, and don't see but what my
prediction is likely to come true -
Didn't ! say you'd repent FTP
/ i don't deny, Hannah said the
old man, but that | have done q
good many things I've been sorry
tor-tbere amt none Of us perfect,
You know, wife-but that ls not one
Of Them No, never for a minute
repented being kind to the widow
and the fatherless
Hannah shrugged her shoulders
but made no answer.
Did you say you were going up to
see that rich lawyer abort that five
thousand dollar note, to-day p she
asked presently.
Yes, but l don't suppose it'll be
much use. II he'd wait a little, I'd
do my best to please him. Jones
says he'll be sure to sell the old p ace
from over our heads. however they
tell me he's hard man. / mean To
explain to him just how the matter
stands. and
i told you how it would be long
ago I CALCULATED Hannah, unable to
retain her vexatinn. 'What on earth
EVER possessed you to sign for Jesse
Falrweather p
4 supposed he was an honest man,
and l wouldn't see an old friend
wronged.'
'FIddlesticks! exclaimed Mrs.
| Raynesford. That's your calculation.