The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-07-30

hNttlS vi DOlllnR kllVeT, anu IRE II III
with greenbacks. Money, money
money! I believe he thinks the world
Is made ofmoneY:
That evening, when he brought in the
milking-pails, he slipped little parcel
into Mary's hard,
:" II Is a sucker from mothers big.
white rose bush," said he. "Maybe
you can make it grow; and / guess
can get YOU slips from Squire Aber-
nethy's great, red Giant OF Battles,
that fairly makes your head ache with
its color"
Mary's eyes frightened.
How good you are, Joell" said she.
Father thinks"
81 know" interrupted the young
man, contracting his brows. "He
thinks you have no right 70 Z pleasure
or luxury in the World-that it's your
only business to grind out money for
him"
"There are times, ,"said Mary, sadly,
when l think l can't stand It any
longer. If knew Of any place where
they wanted girl to help with the
housework, orr"
"Yon'd avail yourself OF it, hey p
sneered the hoarse voice OF Farmer
Merritt. behind her. A pretty serpent
I've been a'nourishing of in my Breast
You'll! just stay ct home, Mary Merritt
and do your duty as you ought. As 70:
you, Joel Harvey clear out of this
Here's your wages for the month
There's hired men enough to be had,
guess, without having a fellow around
who puts your own gal up to rebellion,
notions"
"Just as you please, Mr.. Merritt,
said independent Joel. 81 III sui ted j.
you are. I've laid up q bit of money
and I've an idea Of investing it for my.
self. Goodbye, Maryw
Mary burst into tears. Joel had
been her only friend; but Mr.. Merritt
frowned darkly at her.
"Go and strain the milk, girl" sale
he. Here, you"-to oel--" take your
money and begoneI"
And he flung 1t at him, as if lie hat
been dog.
Joel stopped to pick up the dollars
that went rolling about the kitchen
floor.
Much obliged 10 you or your
politeness, Mr.. Mer it," said he
Perhaps l may b able to return il
some day"
To which the irate farmer returned
no answer.
Joel stood unhesitatingly at the gar.
den. gate minute before he left the
premises.
Il should like to say just one word to
Mary" be said to himself "But per-
haps I'd better not. Old Merritt is in
such white rage that he would visit it
upon her if were further to offend
him. And l guess she knows my heart
and can trust me-just for while"
A month afterward Josiah Merritt
strobe Indignantly intothe room where
Mary stood, pale and careworn, mixing
up sponge for the morrow's bread.
whats the matter. father?" she
said.
"Matter enough!" roared Merritt
"Old Folke has sold that mortgage Of
mine, and the new man is going to fore
close right off! It's a little overdue, to
be sure, but how is a man to raise six
thousand dollars at thirty days noticeP
| can't do it no more than if it were
sixty thousand!"
"But what are we to do, father?"
Mary asked, with n troubled counte-
nance
"We'll have to clear out, that is ALL"
said Merritt, sullenly. "You must ~
situation or go into the factory, and
shall have TO take place with Morri-
sons hands.
"Who is the man, father?" tearfully
asked Mary.
al don't know. l didn't ask. He's
coming here tomorrow with Thomp.
son, the lawyer, worse luck to him."
Thompson, the lawyer, arrived in due
time, and with him came-Joel Harvey.
Mary" said he, "I never could ask
you to marry ME while / was homeless.
But now, darling, / can ask you to stay
on here in your own old home. I'll
build out bay window on the south
end Of the sitting-room, and put new
piazza along the front, and a pump in
the kitchen, and I'll hire girl to do
the rough work. And I'll try and show
yoV, dearest, that a farmers life need
not necessarily be lite Of drudgeryr
"But," hesitated Mary, father"
Hes welcome to q home here il he
chooses" said Joel, heartily. "And
I'll try and be good son to him, for
your sake, Maryi"
but JOSIAH MerrlJt uecllneu 10 stay
nor was honest Joel very much grieved
at his decision.
And Mary was quietly married to the
new man." and upon the wedding day
whole wagon load Of rose bushes ar
rived-white, pink, yellow and vivid
scarlet.
wen plant 'em right out in the
front yard, DEAR" said the bridegroom.
" For I mean that from this time hence.
forward your life shall be all roses"