The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-08-07
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

"Oh, mother, mother, am SO tired ="
The dew-drops 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 clung together homeless
and alone, in the falling shadows Of the
night.
"Cheerup. my child, we have not very
far to go. Come closer, let me brush
the dew from your curls. Now take my
hand"
But the child hung back, sobbing with
weariness and exhaustion, and the pale
young mother, bending over her in the
vain attempt to soothe the hysterical ex-
ci,cment, did not hear the rumble Of
advancing wheels until they passed close
to her, and 4 rough, hearty voice ex-
claimed:
"What ails the little girl ? Is she sickl"
Mary Ellsworth had never seen Farm
er Raynesford before-yet the moment
his eyes rested on his wrinkled, sun
burnt face, with the shaggy brows over
shadowing kind eyes, felt that he was a
friend, and made answer promptly.
mot sick, sir, but very tired. We
have walked long way
"Got much farther to 60 ?" asked the
farmer, tickling the Horses ear with the
end Of his whip.
"To Breckton."
"That is four miles of, and the little
gal is pretty nigh used up already"
81 know it," said the woman with a
sigh. "but / have no money to hire a
lodging nearer. In Breckton l hope to
obtain work in the factory"
al won't hear to no such thing |" said
he, energetically. "Why, that child
can't 60 twenty rods farther Here,
get in long with me. You won't
be none the worse for bit Of supper
and good nights rest. know Han
nah'll scold - he muttered, as he lifted
the little girl to his side, and extended
his hand to the mother "but can't
see folks perishing by the wayside and
never offer to help 'em. don't care
il she scolds the roof Of the house of. I"
Itwas an oddly shaped, old. fashioned,
gray with the storms Of nearly half a
century, with broad stone door stone,
overhung by giant lilac bushes, and a
kitchen where, even in the blooming
month Of June, great fire roared up
the widc-throaied chimney, and shin
ing rows of tins winked and glittered
at every upward leap Of the flames. -
Such neat kitchen as il was Mrs.
Ellsworth's heart involuntarily warmed
at the ge''ial sight.
Mr. Raynesfor,;: jumped out Of the
wagon, threw the reins over the post,
and went in to conciliatc his domestic
despot. "Look here, Hannah" said
he, to tall, angular looking female who
emerged from pantry near by, at the
sound Of his footsteps, her face nearly
or quite rs sour as the saucer Of pickles
she was carrying, ''just set couple more
plates on the table, will youl I've
brought woman and little gal that l
found piece below, cen Almost tired
to death. They was calculatin' to walk
on to Breckton, but thought il wouldn't I
hurt US to keep 'em over night"
"I'm astonished at you Job Raynes-
ford I" said his better half in tone OF
indignant remonstrance. awe might
jest as well hang out a tavern sign at
once, and done with it-you're always
bringing home some poor miserable cree
ter or other, and"
"Thcre, there, Hannah" interrupted
Mr.. Raynesford, "l'm always willin'
to hear to you when you're anyways
reasonable, but it goes clear agin my
grain to see poor folks a sufferin' and
never stretch out ahelpin' hand. 'Taini
Scripter, nor faint human natur'."
"Well 60 your own gait, Job Raynes'
ford" responded his wife, tartly, "only
mark my words, IL you don't end your
days in the poorhouse 'twont be through
no fault O. yours I" 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 hell
his guests to alight.
"Don't mind the old woman" sale
he, apologetically, as Mrs. Ellsworth
sprang to the ground; "she's kind o
sharp spoken, but she means we'll, artel
all. We amt all just alike in our no
tions, you know"
"If all the world were like you, sir,
said the young widow with tears in he
eyes, "there would be less want and suf
fering by far !" Farmer Raynesford pre-