Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-04-15


sides this, there are many little aaorn-
ments. such rs pictures, etc. that
would add aiterward-
"Whyl" exclaimed MF. Graham slt
we were to 90 into that i would take
every cent Of the money
"Well, we earned II to Invest y
something. didn't We r.
ssYes, but want to invest ny mon-
ey Ia something that will bring me ~
some kind Of an income.
sIt would bring - The best oE ali N.
comes-not IN dollafss UCg 49, -
ter far-in ioyf and happiness. Life
would have . thller and purer meaning
for rs both; itwould bring a higher and
better mofphere in which to rear up
our children. Even the humming bird
loves to deck its sweet little nest with
pretty MOSES and Iichens. Ought We
not TO have az much love for home and
its adornings as God dumb creaturess p
81 have something more important TO
live for than humming bird has" said
Mr.. Graham, tartly. 81 would rather
leave something more substantial TO my
children, such as bonds, well titled
acres, forinstance. / willtell you what
have been thinking OF" he said, with
an air Of one who felt that the express
sing OF his opinion must necessarily
bring conviction Of his superior judg-
menf. "You know that / have always
wanted that forty acre lot OF South
wells that joins me on the north. They
say he is hard up now and when he
finds out that can make large pay
ment down, believe can get it
mighty reasonable. And when | get
that paid for | would have one Of the
best farms m the country. Now what do
you say TO that5" be asked. triumphant
ly.
"It would run US right in debt again,
said Mrs. Graham.
"WeIl, supposing il did. We have
swung clear this time easy enough. and
can again. You must remember that
this land was badly run down when |
first got hold Of il, but the farm is in
good condition now"
Easy enoughl" Mrs. Graham did
not repeat the words aloud. Her hus-
band did not know Of the little sac
rifices and acts of self denial il bad
cost her. He never could know il, and
therein lies the pathos of many sacri-
fee.
The next morning Mrs. Graham was
up betimes and busy as usual amidst
her household cares, but iIe.sts-ax; "a
lost its lightness; and as she stood am
der the locust tree which shaded the
back door. churning, il seemed too, as
if much OF the brightness had gone on.
of her life. Golden dandelions nestled
in the grass that carpeted the yard like
stray bits OF sunshine; they we're still
bright with the dewy freshness of ear
ly morning. To the right there was a
low meadow land; the silver thread
that traversed il showed where brook
murmured along, its tiny waves spark
ling the sunlight. To the left were
fields of grain with rIpened heads bowed
down, waiting for the sickeI. The air
was full of happy sounds; the tinkle of
distant COW bells, the voice of domes-
tic fowls and the song of wild Birds
But her great disappointment. overshad-
owed il all.
She could think of nothing but the
great barn-like house, painted a glaring
red, with its large shulteriess windows,
like lidless eyes, staring out upon the
dusty highway. Inside it was equally
as barren of grace or beauty; the walls
were dingy and unadorned by pictures
of any kind; the furniture was guiltless
OF paint or varnish; with no work OF lit
erature worthy of mention beside the
weekly paper, the Bible and an alma
mac. In this atmosphere she must live;
here she must henceforth work on,
while mind and soul starved; here, too,
she must rear her children, TO see worth
and beauty in nothing that cannot be
represented by gold. What wonder.
then. If her thoughts and eyes wander
ed. over the fields of waving grain, to
where a stately stone house stood on an
eminence. She knew there was beau
ty there, 5reezes stole into large, airy
rooms. through lace curtains; there were
rich carpets and costly furniture, and a
library that was almost an intellectual
feast TO look at; outside there were
pleasant walks and drives, and flower
garden filed with the rearest fora
treasures: and then she sighed softly as
she thought 10 herself-"but love would
! not have been there, and life would
have been Of very little worth without
that"
"Jenniel Jenniei Oh, here you
are" and MIR. Graham came out through
the back kitchen door and seated him
self upon the edge Of a huge log thai
had been hewed ont and did duty foI
evesdrop and cistern. II was not un.
usual for him 10 seek her, he always
did when be came in and found her MOI
| in the house. II was not q bad babi
in the man. His very lite seemed
bound up in her; and although be hae
the reputation among his neIghbors ol
being "close' ia his business transac
lions. he was kindhearted and geneF.
Gus. too. in bis way. This morning &c
had something Of importance to com
municate.
III didn't tell you last evening"" b,
said. ssthat had already bad some tall
with SoutnWelt ABOUT tGSt land III
wouldn't listen 10 a cent under 2,00l
then, and wouldn' offer more 81 500
He came over 10 see me this morning
and offered 10 split the difference. Ain
that bargain. though A little bette
than spending money forpaint or papeI
Jennie. Oh. rising to so, 81 cam
near forgetting to tel you. Powers