Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-08-12

Powers" he called out as that indi-
vidual was leaving the field at night, ''if
the folks at home can spare Mirinda, 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. Gaham
had spoken of discharging the girl.
"You had better keep her to help
YOU" said her husband.
NO" said Mrs. Graham, "when there
is none but my own family [ can do
the work easy enough alone. believe
| ike 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 a
visit?" he asked abruptly.
Five years ago last June, when sis
ter Ellen was married
How prompt was the answer. Per-
haps she had counted the time.
''HOw would you like to go and see
the folks this fall?'
What a glad light came into her face
and then faded, as she said, hesitating-
ly, 'How can go?"
Never mind about that You have
earned play day, and none of my
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-
and you can get things you
need, and Miranda can stay and help
you 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 Il stay?'
Don't mind about me; | can keep
bachelors hail." he added, laughing.
Two weeks after Mrs. Graham had
gone, Hiram Graham had the house all
to himself.
After the lapse of five weeks he went
to the station to meet hisswife and chill
dren They enjoyed the most delight
ful visit and were all glad and happy,
and as they drove homeward there was
much to be told, and many inquiries to
be made. As they ieared the house
Mrs. Graham looked suddenly forward
while her husband watched her face
and rubbed his hands together in silent
glee. What was that soft lustrous gray
cleaning out from among the green
leaves? Was she dreaming? No; it was
the house with green shutters and
pOrticO-.
''Why, Hiram Graham, what have
you been doing?"
She looked again. "And picket
fence! and the most charming little
gate And Il gravel walk" then she
couldn't keep the tears from coming.
''COme, Jennie" said Mr.. Graham,
teasingly, although his own eyes moist
ened with sympathetic happiness,
don't feel so bad about it. There,
how does that suit?" he asked, after
they had entered the house, pointing to
the bay-window ''I don't understand
such things, so | got a workman who
lid you see; it is all complete, ready
for plants. And here" leading the way
through the kitchen and throwing open
-he door, ''is a pantry that can't be beat
And this is something you
did not mention" he continued, APP
preaching Il neat sink III the Kitchen,
and laying hold of the handle Of els
tern pump that stood i'll one corner,
up gushed Il jet of soft water which
tDl1 Of
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
garden with it. You see | didn't do
with these things" he said,
after they had entered the sitting
room, glancing deprecatingly toward
the dingy-colOred papering, the dilapi-
dated furniture and threadbare carpet.
II would rather trust that to you. And
besides, | found so much real enjoy
ment in it, that [ thought | would be
generous and leave some of it for you.
Here is the money that is left" he
added, presented her a 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, II believe that | am
Just the happiest woman in the
worldn'
He drew her gently to him. "Jen-
ME" he said, what are you thinking
about, that morning [ found you churn-
ing under the locust tree, and looking so
at the old stone building on
the hill?"
Her answer only was merry laugh.
Did you ever think so before?" Al
though he asked the question hesitat-
ly, he looked very wistfully into her
face for an answer.
''No, you dear, simple darling, and |
am sure I never shall again." and,
looking up archly, 81 didn't them"
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 previous
ly, had worn away there was ali in
creased dignity and manliness in his
bearing His children had also grown
to be constant source of paternal
pride and delight. So surely do our
inner natures conform to the plan of
our outward surroundings He held
up a paper he had in his hand. There"
said he, addressing his wife, lis the
deed of that Southwell forty, clear from
If it had not been for
you" he continued, smiling, II should
have owned it long ago, and the whole
SOuthWell farm. too. perhaps. But [