Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-01-02
BORN AUGUST ESD, 1851.

Farmer Williams made some inquiries in
the neighborhood, and learned that a lady
with an infant, accompanied by servant,
had been stopping for a week past at the
village tavern; that she was very beautiful,
but pale and sad, and kept her room most
of the time. But they had disappeared as
suddenly as they came.
II is just ten yeats from the time that Mrs.
Williams received her New Years gift
Let us take another peep into the kitchen of
the Red Stone Farmhouse. The group is
smaller now than then. The farmer who muir
INJURED ten years ago that he had too many
mouths to feed, has now only one child LETT
him-the little faxen-haired girl that is
sitting beside his knee. The rest all sleep
ing in the little church-yard. A heavy mis-
fortune has befallen him the thirst for rich
es has brought its usual curse Possessed
with the mania for speculation, he mortgag-
ed the farmhouse and all it contained. The
gilded bubble burst, and the dawning Of the
New Year found him ruined and home
i itoo nun. Nio Who tiiC inot Hikut it anu
his wife were TO remain in the old home
stead, that had been in his family for four
generations, and was linked 10 him by 80
many tender memories. On the morrow
they were to go they hardly knew whittier.
1t is true, many Of the old neighbors-kind,
good souls-had offered him II temporary
home; but It was hard for that selfreliant
man to accept charity from any.
What can We doy Where can we go!"
he groaned, as he thought of the morrow.
1.-THE Lori will provide, john" said his
wife, lifting her sad, patient eyes to his. "He
has never torsaken u.s. Neither will He
ever forsake one who trusts In him."
But the father lacked the Christian resig-
nation that made the gentle heart OF his wife
such heaven Of peace and love.
AYE, that's what you've always said,
wife," he retorted, impatiently, land you
See what we've come to. For my part,
don't think the Lord troubles himself much
about us anyway"
Mrs. Williams might have said that he
had brought his misfortune upon himself,
but she wisely forebore Just then there
came the sound Of quick, buoyant step,
and there burst into the room fine, sturdy
lad OF about ten, his eyes bright, and his
cheeks glowing from the keen, frosty air.
"Its bitter cold, l tell you, tell you" he
exclaimed, fiinging his cap boy fashion upon
the kitchen settee, and stepping up to the
kitchen fire. t.
mot but what I've been warm ~ toast,
all but my ears and fingers" he added, blow
ing upon the latter as he spoke.
Here is something Tor yo,It MOTHER he
said, seating himself upon Il stool at her
feet, and tossing into her lap shining
piece of gold.
why, Arthur, where did you get this ~
"The strange gentleman down at the tsv.
ern gave it to me, mother. He asked me in
to his room, and gave me us many nuts and
raisins as could eat, besides"
II wonder who he is!" she said. musng-
ly.
II can tell you" exclaimed her husband.
his eyes flashing angrily. "He is the owner
Of Red Stone Farmhouse He is the man
who bid against me on the few articles
wanted TO reserve The curse of the home
less rest upon himw
NAY, John" interppsed his wife, gentle.
ly; perhaps he did not know, how highly
you priced them
"Yes he did; Parson Woods. stepped up
and told him. But he only,smiled, and said
he wanted TO buy everything just US II
| STOOD
"Well." said the boy, gazing .thoughtfully
into the fire, 81 can't help plying him, he
looked 10 sorrowiu He asked lots Of ques
tons about you, mother, aud ali OF us; and
kept walking up and down the room wiring
ing his hands and groa,ling as il he was in
great trouble"
IL will buy you new Jacket with this
Arthur" said Mrs. Williams, NJ abe axamin
cd anew the gold coin. you need ono bad
ly enough" she added glancing, with sigh
| at his well patched roundabout.
"You shall do nothing OF the sort, mother
said the generous hearted boy. you shall
buy yourself and sissy nice warm shall. u
Before Ms Williams could reply there
was quiet knock ut the door. Farmer
| Williams opened IL. 1t was only boy
who had brought small parcel, for Mrs
Williams
Another New Years gin. suppose" he
said bittsty IN he handed it TO her, for he
was in a bitter mood. Mrs. Williams glanc.
ed reproachfully at her husband.
"God grant II may bring us as much com
fort" she said, laying her hand iondly upon
the head that wss resting against her knee.
As she opened il, she uttered an excla.
nation OF surprise. II was deed Of Red
Stone. Farmhouse made out In her name
On the inside wrapper were those words;
"Inasmuch. as ye did il unto the least Of
these. We did il unto me-"
There were grateful and happy hearts be-
meath the root Of the old homestead that night.
Though with Mrs. Williams joy there was
mingled an uneasy feeling. She was well
assured shat II was In some way connected
with Arthur, and trembled with apprehen-
sion lest SOME one should appear who had a
stronger claim 10 him. This fear was dissi-
paied the next morning by letter that came
to her by the first mail. ,contained check
for five thousand dollar. together will these
words
The boy that you ~ generously receivesl
ten years ago, and have soienderly cherished
since, will never be taken from YOU. The
mother, forced 10 rclnquish her babe. dearer
IA her than life. is IN heaven. The father, who
~ bAAely i,rsook biz child, and her who he
swore ~ cherish. is unworthy 81 ~ sacred a
trust. la the s. Bank you will find the
sum ~ e20.OOO. deposited In the name ri
your adopted son, Of which he il 10 c0me In.
10 possession Of when legally ~ age and
the interest u which u TO BE- appropriated 10
his support and education during biz mi
nority."
10 this singular letter there was neither
date nor signature. There were various
conjsctures 10 regard to the stranger, who
had been in the village some days, and from
whom IL Ma evident fhla letter came a.