The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-10


instant she saw him, and offered him her
chair, with gentle smile.
keep thy seat, lass, thank thee; I'd
as leave sit on the stoop," said the strang
er, in cracked but kindly voice. Then,
inclining his head toward John Stacey,
no continued: II did not mean to come
upon you SO sudden, friends, but 1 don't
step as sprightly as I once did. They
told me at the village inn that mayhap
you would board me for brief time. I
did not wish to stay there. I'd like bet
ter to be in quiet family. I'm on my
way to friends at distance, and weary,
with my long journey, I stopped here to
rest. Will it be too much tax upon
thee to accommodate me9'
"You can't board with u.s." answered
John.
The old man looked from one to the
other in perplexity.,
"But you can stay with US, and well
come, as long as you like" added the &C.
centric farmer, grasping his guests hand
and shaking it warmly. ~.
''Thank thee, friend; thy heart is
warm. shall not intrude on thee long.
This is thy good wife, and these are thy
daughters? Thee must be very happy
man. indeed -.... .~......,# .- ...
"You haven't had any supper, sir, I am
sure9" said Mrs. Stacey, preparing to put
aside her work. . 49,
"Thank thee, I supped at the inn; do
not disturb thyself. But shall be bold
enough to ask one of thy daughters to
get me glass of water.'
John Stacey motioned Ella to 20, but
she shook her head pettishly and turned
away.
With a glance of mild reproof toward
her sister, Ruth rose and brought their
guest glass OF water fresh from the we'll.
The old Quaker accepted it with a
grateful smile, and then addressed few
remarks to her, which she answered in
her sweet, quiet way.
The night shades were gathering now,
and the family adjourned to the sitting.
room.
Ella was yet sulky, and would speak
to no one.
"Take the easy chair, sir, yon must be
quite tired" said Mrs. Stacey, in her cor
dial, unassuming manner. "Ella,' take
our guests cane, and bring stool to put
his feet on"
Ella complied with a reluctance that
was painfully apparent.
81 fear thee will put thyselt to too
much trouble" said the Quaker guest,
with benign smile. "I'm glad to feel
thy hearty kindness, but thee must not
be Inconvenience. My name is Samuel
Peyton, but I'd like thee to call me
Friend Samuel, If thee will. There; thank
thee, chlld," as Ella placed the stool at
his feet. $50 thee, suppose, is papa's
pet; is 1t not so?"
The maiden forced a phantom of a
smile to her features.
"Thy cheeks are wondrously fan, Child
he continued, in lower tone, his bright
eyes scanning her features closely. "Thee
must be very thankful for these blessings.
Thee will not be very angry with my
words, know, for am old enough to be
thy grandfather, I think. Doth it not ap-
pear SO to thee?"
81 haven't thought of, it," answered
Ella, yawning.
The Quaker dropped his eyes, and fold
ing his arms, relapsed into silence.
"You ought TO take more interest in
the old man, sister," said Ruth, when the
girls were alone in their chamber "He
seemed sad after you answered him so
indiferently. Perhaps he had daugh-
ter once, and you made him think of
her. 'E-.
'How very considerate you are" re-
joined Ella, with curling lips. "You're
enough to torment the life out of anybody
with your wild surmises and fanciful
conjectures. Here you grow sentimental
over an old man that you never heard of
until this evening. Suppose he had a
dozen daughters that any reason that
should be bored to death with his SER
mons? He'd have talked to this time if
I'd listened to him."
"You may have need of sympathy some
time. ,lnd then you'll know how sweet it
is to others. We can't afford to be in
different to each other IN this world"
said Ruth gravely.
"You>d better put ON drab. and &C
company Friend Samuel on his travels!
laughed her sister as she crept into her
bed.
Three days passed away, and the Qua
and Ruth his society was very agreeable,
Dul Hlld udu ldhcu d ulSllkC W ulm 1IOm
the first, and so she remained from him
as much as possible.
II am afraid thy sister is not favorably
disposed toward me, Ruth" the old man
said one day, and his voice quivered a
little.
Ruth blushed and bent her head as she
replied.
ella doesn't stay indoors much at any
time; she loves to be among the flowers
and birds. She has warm heart, as you
would find if you should be with her long
enough
Ruth will not decry her sister-that
is very plain; and it shows that she is
good herself,'' thought the Quaker, strok-
ing his whiskers; then he answered. II
do not doubt thee, Ruth; out why is it
thee stays so much 1nside?''
~ like Homework, and mother needs
help"
"How long is that tedious old man to
stay here9" asked Ella of her father, as
she stood on the threshing floor of the
barn.
GAS long as he has mind to, I s'pose.
| can't see why you're so against him.
/ IT, = ~ L