The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-03

NO, salu MRS. hranamj when there
is noae but my own family, | can do the
work easy enough alone, believe | like
to work, added she, smiling; at 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.
"Fiye years ago last June, when sister
Ellen was married
How prompt the answer came. Perhaps
she had counted the time.
Glow would you like to go out and see
the folks this fall2
What glad light came iuto her face,
and then faded, as she said hesitatingly.
"How can go?'
"Neyer mind about that. You have
earned 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 sec 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 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 hap.
py 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 stay?"
"Dont mind about me. | can keep
bachelors hall, he added laughing. Two
weeks after aud 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 delight.
ful 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 nearel the house Mrs Graham
looked suddenly forward while her hus.
band 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 dream
ing? No; it was the house with It's green
shutters aud porticos,
"Why, Hiram Graham, what have you
been doing?'
She looked again "And picket fence ?
And the most charming little gate And
a graveled walk" and then she couldn't
keep the glad tears from coming.
"Comc, Jennie, said Mr.. Graham, toas.
ingly, although his own eyes mcistened
with sympathetic happines, don't feel so
glad about it, | may have worse things
yet to show you. There, how does that
suit?' he asked after they had entered
the house, pointing to the bay-window
81 didn't understand such things, so got
4 workman that did; you see; it is all com.
plete, ready for the plants. And here,
he said, leading the way through the
kitchen and throwing open a door, sis the
wood house; and here, opening a door,
SIS pantry that cant be beat any
where, And this is something you didn't
mention, he continued, approaching q
neat sink in the kitchen, and laying hold
of the handle Of 4 cislern pump that stood
ia the one end up gushed jet of soft
water, which told Of good cistern under
meath. "Look through the window and
you will see a covered drain that carries
away all the waste water ! am going to
fix it SO you can irrigate your flower gar.
den with it. You see ! didn't do any
thing with these things, he said, after they
had entered the sitting room, glanci1g de-
precatingly toward the dingy colored pa
pering, the dilapidated furniture and
threadbare carpet. | would rather trust
that to you. And besides | found there
pas 50 much real enjoyment in it that |
Rould be generous and leaye some Of the
leasurc for you. Here is the money that
selt,' he added, presenting her goodly
70 of bills,
pne pleasant day IN Autumn and al
wat complete, and indeed, as Mrs. Ora
haIhsaid, it looked like "a bit of Eden
III D believe she said, turning towards
her sband, with a glad bright Look in
her fae--"l do believe that am just the
happiet woman in the world.
lie sew her gently to him. "Jennie,"
he saide'wha were you thinking about
that mohing found you ehurning under
the locus tree, and looking so intently at
that oldlstone building on the hill ?"
Her only Nnswer was merry laugh.
"Did ya ever think so before ?" Al
though he tked the question hesitatingly
he looked Wy wistfully into her face for
an answer.
"No, you Oar, simple darling, and am
sure never Aver shall again, and looking
up archly, ~ ldat then ~
Six years nd passed away, and one
bright morningin spring Mr.. Graham en-
tered the house lie had changed in three
years; the Sigh roughness which had
characterized hin previously had worn
away; there was al increased dignity and
manliness in his learing. His children
had also grown to b constant source of
parental pride aud delight. So surely do
our inner natures cotform to the plan of
our outward surroundings. lie held up
paper he had in his hands "Thcrc, said
he, addressing his wife, sis the deed Of
that Southwell forty, clear from iucum-
brance. If it had not been for you" he
continued, smiling, Il should have owned
ii long ago, and the whole Southwe farm,
too, perhaps, But ! thank God that |
didn't" he added earnestly "If had |
would have been SO close over the work
rack by this time that never would be
able to look up"