Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-01-22

been mostly IN ner DOMAIN. lie began
to wish that he had treated her wishes
more respectfully at least. But then
he could not help looking over to where
that forty acres lay. What a choice
piece of land it wasi Howl long he had
wanted it! And now, when it was al
most within his grasp, must he let itgop
And even were he to yield to Jennie's
wishes now, would not she know that
he had done so reluctantly and against
his better judgmentp And during the
afternoon he thought the matter over
and over.
Powers" he called out, as that indi-
vidual was leaving the field at night,
g if the folks at home can spare Mi
randa, let her come up in the morning,
and help my wife,"
"All right, she will be glad to come,"
was the answer.
Harvest was over, and Mrs. Graham
spoke of discharging the girl. You
had better keep her to help you," ad-
vised her husband.
mo" said Mrs. Graham; "when
there is none but my own family, /
can do the work easy enough alone. /
believe / like to work." added she, smil-
ing; sat least / am always happiest
when am busy"
How long has it been since you have
been home to your fathers on visit?"
he asked, abruptly.
Five years ago last June, when sister
Ellen was married"
How prompt as the answer. Per-
haps she had counted the time.
How would you like to go out and see
the folks this fallP"
What glad light came into her face,
and then faded, as she said, hesitatingly:
How can goP"
"Never mind about that. You have
earned play-day, and none of my
transactions shall hinder you from en-
joying one. You had better take the
children with you; the folks will want
to see them. We will go to town to-
morrow, and you can get what things
you need, and Miranda can stay and
help you to get ready. You will want
to get off as soon as you can, for you
will want to make a good long visit
while you are about it.
He appeared to be anxious to hasten
her departure; but Mrs. Graham was
too happy at the thought of seeing the
home of her childhood again to notice it
at the time.
''But what will you do without us, if
we make too long a Stayp"
Don't mind about me. / can keep
bachelors hail." he added, laughing.
Two weeks after and Mrs. Graham had
gone, and Hiram Graham had the house
all to himself.
After the lapse of five weeks he went
to the station TO meet his wife and chill
dren. They had enjoyed the most de-
lightful visit, and all were glad and
happy, and as they drove homeward
there was much to be told, and many
inquiries to be made. AS they neared the
house Mrs. Graham looked suddenly
for ward while her husband watched her
face and rubbed his hands together in
quiet glee. What was that soft, lustrous
gray, cleaning out from among the
green leaves? Was she dreamingp No;
1t was the house with its green shutters
and porticos.
"Why, Hiram Graham, what have
You been doingP"
She looked again. "And picket
fence? And the most charming little
gatei And graveled walk, y and then
she couldn't keep the glad tears from
coming.
Come, Jennie,n said Mr.. Graham,
teasingly, although his own eyes moist
feel so glad about it. may have worse
does that suit?" he asked, after they had
entered the house, pointing to the bay
window. "I didn't understand such
things, SO 1 got a workman who did,
you see; it is all complete, ready for the
plants. And here" he said, leading the
way through the kitchen and throwing
open the door, g is the wood house, and
there" opening a door, g is pantry
that can't be beat anywhere. And this
is something you didn't mention" he
approaching a neat sink in
the kitchen, and laying hold of the
handle of a cistern pump that Stood in
one end, up gushed jet of soft water,
which told OF a good cistern underneath.
g Leok through the window and you
will see q covered drain that carries
away all the waste water. / am going
to fix it so you can irrigate your flower
garden with it. You see | didn't do
with these things" he said,
after they had entered the sitting-room,
glancing deprecatingly toward the
papering. the dilapidate6
furniture and thread-bare carpet.
would rather trust that to you And
besides, found that there was so much
real enjoyment in it that | would be
generous and leave some of the pleasure
for you. Hereis the money that is left,n
he added, presenting her goodly roll
of bills.
One pleasant. day in autumn and all
was complete, and indeed, as Mr. Gra-
ham said, it looked like ''a bit of Eden"
II do believe" she said, turning to-
ward her husband with a glad, bright
look in her face" do believe that am
just the happiest woman in the world"
He drew her gently to him. Jennie"
he said, ''what were you thinking
about that morning found you churn-
ing under the locust tree, and looking
SO intently at that old stone building on
the hillP"
Her only answer was a merry laugh.
Did you ever think so beforep"
Although he asked the question hesi-
tatingly, he looked very wistfully into
her face for an answer.
No, you dear, simple darling, and |
am sure / never shall again." and look
ing up archly, g didn't then!"
Six years had passed away, and one
bright morning in spring Mr.. Graham
entered the house. He had changed in
these years; the slight roughness which
had characterized him previously had
worn away; there was an increased
dignity and manliness in his bearing.
His children had also grown to be a
constant source of parental pride and
delight. So surely do our inner natures