The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-11-17
Principal and Interest.

Oh, mother, mother, I am so tired"
The dewdrops quivered like imperial
diamonds upon the broad green plumes
of the cornfield by the wayside; the
grass that bent over the footpath was
heavy with evening moisture; yet these
two wanderers chung together homeless
and alone in the falling shadows Of the
night. We,
very far to 90. Come closer, let me
brush the dew from your curls. Now
take my hand"
But the child hung back, sobbing
with WEAKNESS and exhaustion, and
the pale mother, bending over her in
the vain attempt to soothe the hyster-
zeal excitement, did not hear the rumble
of advancing wheels until they passed
close to her, and a rough, hearty voice
exclaimed:
What ais the little girl? Is she
Mary Ellsworth had never seen
Farmer Raynesford before-yet the
moment her eye rested upon his
wrinkled, sunhurnt face, with the
shsggy brows overshadowing kind eyes.
SIC lelt that he was a friend. and made
answer promptly:
Not sick, sir, but very tired. We
have walked a long way"
Get much farther TO go?" asked the
farmer. tickling the horses ear with.the
ind of his whip.
ITO Brocton."
That is four mics OF, and the little
cal is pretty nigh used up Already"
y know it," said the woman, with q
sign. but / have no money to hire a
lodging nearer. In Brocton l lope to
obtain work in the factory"
Il won't hear no such thing?" said
lie, energetically. why, that child
can't 90 twenty rods further! Here, get
in long with me. You won't be non
The worse for a bit of supper and good
nights rest. I know Hannahll scold,"
he muttered, rs be lifted the little girl
10 Lis side and extended his hand 10 the
mother; "but I can't see tolks perishing
by the wayside and never offer to help
'em. I don't care if she scolds the roof
of Tic house off"
It was an oddly shaped old farm
house, gray with the storms OF nearly
half q century, with a broad door-stone,
overhung by giant lilac bushes, and a
kitchen where even in the bloomy
month OF June, q great fire roared UP
the wide-throated chimney, and shining
rows of tins winked and glittered at
every upward leap of the flames. Such
q neat kitchen it was! Mrs. Ellsworth's
heart Involuntary warmed at the genial
sight.
Mr.. Raynesford jumped out of the
wagon, threw the lines over a post, and
went in to conciliate his domestic des-
pot. Look here, Hannah" said he to
n tail, angular looking female who
emerged from a pantry neal by at the
sound Of his footsteps, her face nearly
or cutie rs sour as the saucer Of pickles
she was carrying, Jest set q couple
0 plates on the table, will you? I've
brought home a woman and little gal
that l found q piece below, cen almost
tired to death. They was calculatin' TO
walk on to Broctop, but I thought it
wouldn't hurt US to keep 'em over
night"
"I'm astonished at you, Job Rayncs-
ford" said his better-half, in a tone of
indignant remonstrancc. 1--WE mi.ht
jest as we'll hang out o tavern sign at
once, and done with il; you're always
bringing homo SOME poor miserable
creetur or ether, and"
"Therc, there, Hannah" interrupted
Mr.. Raynesford, "Pm always willin' to
hear you when you're anyways reason
able, bit it goes clear agin my grain to
see poor folks a suferin' and never
stretch out a helpin' hand. 'Taia't
S&ripter; no, faint human natur'."
"Well, 60 your own gait, Job Raynes-
ford" responded his wife. tartly; "only
mark my words, if you don't end your
days in the p%oorhouse, 'twon't be
through no fault O yourn."
She SHUT the pantry door with a bang
tina. made all the jelly cups and milk
pans rattle, while Job. with an odd
grimace, went out to help his guests to
alieht.
Don't mind my old womau," said
he, apologetically, as Mrs. Ellsworth
srrang to the ground; "she's kind o.
sharp spoken, but she means well, arter
all. We amt just alike in u notions.
you know"
"lf all the world were like you, sir"
said the young widow, with tears in
her eyes, there would be less want
and suffering by far" Farmer Raynes.
lOIu ttttfiueU HCI W lcdi liz WIS UuSS
helping little Mary out.
Set on them blackberries, Hannah?'
said lie. tuward the close of the evening
meal; "thc little gals so tired she CAM
eat nothin' solid!"
81 WIS calculatin' to keep the black
berries ior the donation party to-mor
row." said Mrs. Raynesford. rising will
rather al unwilling air.
"Nonsease" quoth the farmer, will
abroad laugh. I'm havin' donatio,
party Of my own tonight! Here, littl,
one, see if these berries don't put SOM
color in,o your cheeks"
All the evening little Mary sat by tn
hearth, with her hands in her mothers
and her large blue eyes fixed earnestl.
on the farmers face.
"What are you thinking about, dearP
asked Mrs. Ellsworth once She drew
a long sigh and whispered: "Oh
mamma, he is 80 kind to u.s."
The tops O. tbe far-of eastern wood
were being tlrnGd to gold by tina
wondrous chemis:, the rising sun, whe
Mary Ellsworth and her child set GU
upon the long walk to Brocton. 10
Rayne 'ford went to the gate. fumblin
uneasily in his pocket, and glancin
euiltily around to make sure that Han
nah was not within seeing distance
When Mary extended her hand to sa
gooh.bv' I b:.iik bill was thrust into il
Dom !ay nothin'," muttered Jot
with a sheepish air. "Ten dollars ain