Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-02-18

edge of huge log that had been hewed
out and did duty for eavesdrop and cistem.
1t was not unusual for him to seek her, he
always did when he came in and found her
not in the house. 1t was not bad habit
in the man. His very life seemed bound
up in her; and although he had the repu-
tation among his neighbors of being close
in his business transactions, he was kind
hearted and generous, too, in his way
This morning he had something of impor
tance to communicate.
didn't tell you last evening, he said.
that had already had some talk with
Southwell about that land. He wouldn't
listen to II cent under $4,000 then, and /
wouldn't offer more lkan 81, 500. He
came over to see me this morning, and Of
fered to split the difference. Amt that
IA bargain, though? A little hetter than
spending money for paint or paper, Jennie!
Oh, raising to 90, came near forgetting
TO tell you. Powers is here. He wants TO
hire out during harvest. | have hands
enough, hut | suppose the more help
have the better shall get along. so told
him to go right to work. don't suppose
he has been to breakfast yet, his folks are
~ oi'NhfcO JOu SNl Oub - utp iOi Nun
to cat. Try and have the lunch ready for
half-past nine; you can blow the horn, and
| will send one of the men down for it.
Poor Jennie! 1t was like the last straw
that broke the camel's back. She strug-
gled hard, but the tears would come. Mr..
Graham turned back and came instantly
to her side when be saw that she was in
trouble.
What is the matter dear? he asked,
compassionately, while his large kind
hand glided down her hair with soft,
carcssing touch. If you are not feeling
well. l will slip down and get Miranda
Powers to come out and help you. guess
I'd better anyway. hadn't 1P
Mrs Graham mastered her emotion with
an effort
Oh, no, she said. There isn't anything
Mr. Graham hesiated; he was not sat-
islicd with this explanation.
There! she sail. Now do 90 along 10
your work, Or shall be foolish enough TO
cry again! and indeed she looked very
much as if she might.
Hiram Graham had n faint idea as to
what the matter was land was very willing
to do as she bade him. He felt consider
WIG COulu IOI StC
the advantage of the proposed purchase
that would SO materially add to their mu
tual property. And then he began to
wonder what she was thinking so silently
about while she stood looking off toward
the distant hill. a little jealousy crept in
with the thought. The owner of that fine
mansion had once been II formidable rival
of his. There could have been no reassn
for her choice but the one she so shyly
confessed to him in the soft twilight of
summer evening ten years ago. How
proud and happy he had felt! He vowed
she should never want for anything which
he could procure. But he had changed
since. He had but little to commence
with. They had to practice such rigid
economy, and TO watch every dollar so
closely. to be able to meet the payments
on the farm, ,rthat he had learned to love
money, not so much for the good it could
purchase sIor its own sake.
When he came to dinner followed by
his troop of hands, he could not help notic-
ing how flushed and tired she looked, but
she was as cheerful as ever. The morn
ing cloud passed ;and with the sweet spirit
OF sef-sacritice that characterized her, she
had buried her dead hopes and taken up
the burden of life again rs best she could.
Hiram Graham was not ignorant of this
sacrifice and it touched him keenly; the
thought of it troubled him during the af-
ternoon. He even forgot to estimate
what the probable yield per acre would be
as the heavy sheaves were showed of the
rear platform and lay so near together on
the shorn ground. He could not deny
that his wife had worked rs hard is he
during the years past, and the economy
that he had practiced had been mostly in
her domain. He began to wish that he
had treated her wishes more respectfully
mt least. But then he could not help look
ing over to where that forty acres lay.
What choice piece of land it was! How
long he had wanted it! And now, when it
was almost within his grasp, must he let
it go9 And even were he to yield to Jen-
nie's wishes now, would not she know
that he had done SO reluctantly and
against his better judgment? And dur
ing the afternoon he thought the matter
over and over.
Powers. he called out, rs that individual
was leaving the field at night, if the folks
at home can spare Miranda, 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 dscharging the girl. You had
better keep her to hel p you, advised her
husband.
No, said Mrs. Graham; when there is
none but my own family, can do the
,rI ln1;n l
like to work, added she, smiling; mt least
am always happiest when am busy.
How long has it been since you have
been home to your fathers on II visit? he
asked abruptly.
Five years ago last June, when sister
Ellen was married.
How prompt was the answer. Perhaps
she had counted the time.
How would you like to 90 out and see
the folks this fall?
What glad light came into her face.
and then faded, rs she sail, hcstatingly:
How can | 90?
Never mind about that. You have
earned II play-day, and none of my trans
actions shall hinder you from enjoying
one. You had better take the children
with you; the folks will want to see them.
We will 60 to town tomorrow, and you
can get what things you need, and Miriam
da can stay and help you to get ready.
You will want to get off AS soon rs you
can, for you will want to make II good
long visit while you are about it.
lie appeared to be anxious to hasten her
departure; but Mrs. Graham was too hap
py ut 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 ~ stayP
Don't mind about me. | can keep
bachelors hall. 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 child
ren. They had enjoyed the most delight
iul 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 thew neared The housa Mrs Graham