Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-03-16

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moses and lichens. Ought we not to
have az much love for home and its a.
dorninps as Gods dumb creatures?
II have something more important to
live for than humming bird has, }" said
Mr.. Graham, tartly. would rather
leave something more substantial to my
children, such az bonds, well titled acres,
for instance. I will tell you what have
been thinking Of" he said, with an air
of one who felt that the expressing of his
opinion must necessarily bring convic-
| tfon of his superior judgment. "You
know that have always wanted that
| fortv acre lot of Southwell's that joins
me on the north. They say he is hard
up now and when he finds out that I
can make large payment down, be-
| lieve can get it mighty reasonable
And when I get that paid for, would
have one of the best farms in the coun-
try. Now what do you say to that?"
he asked, trlumphantly.
"It would run us right in debt again, :"
said Mrs. Graham.
"Well. supposing it did. We have
swung clear this time easy enough, and
can again. You must remember that
this land wasybadly run down when I
first got hold of it, but the farm is in
good condition now"
"Easy enough |" Mrs. Graham did not
repeat the words aloud. Her husband
did not know of the little sacrifices and
acts of self denial it had cost her. He
never could know it, and therein lies the
pathos Of many sacrifice.
The next morning Mrs. Graham was
up betimes and busy as usual amidst her
household cares, but her heart had lost
its lightness; and as she stood under the
locust tree which shaded the back door,
churning, it seemed too, as If much of
the brightness had gone out of her life.
Golden dandelions nestled in the grass
that carpeted the yard like stray bits of
sunshine they were still bright with
| the dewy freshness of early morning.
To the right there was low meadow
land; the silver thread that traversed it
showed where brook murmured along,
its tiny waves sparkling the sunlight
To the left were fields of grain with
ripened heads bowed down, waiting for
the sickel. The air was full of happy
sounds F.; the tinkle of distant COW bells,
of wild birds. But her great disappoint-
ment overshadowed it all.
| She could think of nothing but the
great barn like house, painted q glaring
red, with its large shutterless 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 works of
literature worthy of mention beside the
weekly paper, the Bible and an almanac.
| 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 repre-
sented by gold. What wonder, then, If
her thoughts and eyes wandered over
the fields of Favtng grain, to Where q
stately stone house stood on an emil
nence. She knew there was beauty
there, breezes stole into large, airy
rooms, through lace curtains there were
rich carpets and costly furniture, and
library that was almost an intellectual
feast to look at; F.; outside there were pleas
ant walks and drives, and flower gar
den filled with the rarest floral treasures;
and then she sighed softly as she thought
to herself-"but love would not have
been there, and life would have been of
very little worth without that.n
Jennie! Jennie! Oh, here you are,"
and Mr.. Graham came out through the
back kitchen door and seated himself
upon the edge of huge log that had
been hewed out and did duty for ewes
drop and cistern. 1t was not unusual
for him to seek her, he always did when
he came in and found her not in the
man. His very life seemed bound up in
her; and although he had the reputation
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 i'm
portance to communicate.
II didn't tell you last evening" he
said, "that had already had some talk
with Sopthwell about that land. He
wouldn't listen to q cent under $4,000
then, and l wouldn't offer more than
81, 500. He came over to see me this
morning, and offered to split the differ
ence. Amt that q bargain, though i? A
little better than spending money for
paint or paper, Jennie! Oh" rising to
60, II came near forgetting to tell you.
Powers is here. he wants to hire out
during harvest. Thave hands enough,
but suppose the more help have the
better shall get along, so told him to
go right to work. I don't suppose he
has been to breakfast yet, his folks are
SO slack, SO you might set out a bit for
him to eat. Try and have the lunch
ready by halfpast nine; you can blow
the horn, and I 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 in
stantly to her side when he saw that she
was in trouble.
"What is the matter, dear?" he ask ed,
compassionately, while his large, kind
hand glided down her hair with soft,
caressing touch. "If you are not feeling
well, will slip down and get Miranda
Powers to come out and help you. I
guess I d better any way, hadn't 2"
Mrs. Graham mastered her emotion
with an eHoFt.
"Oh, no." she said. "There ISN'T any,
thing"
Mr. Graham hesitated; he was not
satisfied with this explanation,
"There!" she said. Now do 90 along
TO your work, or I shall be foolish
enough to cry again!" and indeed she
looked very much as if she might.
Hiram Graham had faint idea as to
what the matter was, and was very will
ing to do as she bade him. He felt con-
siderably annoyed that his wife could
not see the advantage of the proposed
purchase that would SO materially add
to their mutual property. And then he
began to wonder what she was think
ing so silently about while she stood
looking off toward the distant hill. A
little jealousy crept in with the thoug ght.
The owner of that fine mansion had
once been formidable rival of his -
There could have been no reason for her
choice but the one she 80 shyly confess~
ed to him in the soft twilight of sum-
mer evening ten years ago. How proud
and happy he had felt! He vowed she
should never want for anything which
he could procure. HUT heshad changed
since. He had but little to Commence
with. They had to practice such rigid
economy, and to watch every dollar so
closely, and to be able to meet the pay
Ments on the farm, that he had learned
to love money, not so much for the good
1t could purchase as for its own sake.
When he came in to dinner, followed