Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-28


ly; the thought of it troubled him dur
ing the afternoon. He even forgot to
estimate what the probable yield per
acre would be as the heavy sheaves
were showed off The rear platform and
lay 50 near together on the shorn
ground. He could not deny that his
wife had worked as hard as he during
the years past, and the economy that
ho had practiced had been mostly in her
domain. He began to wish that he had
treated her wishes more respectfully, at
least. But then he could not help
looking over 10 where that forty acres
lay. What a choice piece Of land 1t
was How long he had wanted it And
now when it was almost within his
grasp, must he let it go? And even
were he to yield to Jcnnie's wishes
now, would not she know that lie had
done so reluctantly, and against his
better judgment? And during the
afternoon he thought the matter over
and over.
Powers he called out, as that in
dlvidual was leaving the field at night,
the folks at home can spare Miranda,
let her come up in the morning and
help my wife,
All rlghs, she will be glad to come.
was the answer.
Harvest was over, and AIRS. Graham
spoke of discharging the girl. You
had better keep her to help you,' ad-
vised her husband.
No said Mrs. Graham; when there
IS none but my own family, l can do
the work easy enough alone. l believe
l like to work. added she, smiling; at
least l am always happiest when an
busy
How long has it been since you have
been home to your fathers on visit: =
he asked abruptly.
Five years ago last June, when sister
Ellen was married.
How prompt the answer came. Per-
haps she had counted the time.
How would you Ike TO 60 out and
see the folks this fall?
What 4 glad light came into her face,
aud then faded. as she oaid hcsitating-
ly. How can go?
Meyer mind about than. You lave
earned a play.dav, and none Of myI
transactions shall binder you from en-
joying one. You had better take the
children with you; The folks will want
to see them. We will 90 to town to-
morrow, and you can get what things
you need, and Miranda can stay and
help you to get ready. You VIII want
to get OF 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 10 hasten
her departure; but Mrs. Graham was
too happy at the thought Of seeing the
home Of her childhood again TO notice
/. at the time.
But what will you do without us, II
VIC make too long stay?
Don't mind about me. can keep
bachelors hall, he added laughing.-l
Two weeks after and Mrs, Graham had
gone; and Hiram Graham Lad the
house all 10 himself.
After the lapse OF five weeks he went
to the station to meet his wife and chi,-
dren. They had enjoyed The most de
lightful visit, aud all were glad and hap
py, and as they drove homeward there
was much TO be told, and many inqui~
rlcs to be made. As they neared the
house Mrs. Graham looked suddenly
forward while her husband watched her
face and rubbed his hands together in
quiet sleC. What was that soft, lusrous
gray, cleaning out from among the
green trees Was she dreaming? No
1t was the house with its green shutters
and porticos.
why Hiram Graham,.wha have you
been doing:
She looked again. And a picket
fence? ? And the most charming little
gate! And gravoled walk : And then
she couldn't keep the glad tears from
coming.
Come, Jennie said Mr. Graham,
tcasingly, although his own eyes mois-
tened with sympathetic happiness,
don't feel so glad about 1t. l may
have worse things yet to show you.
There, how does that suit you? he
asked after they had entered the house,
pointing TO the bay,window. 1 didn't
understand such lhings, so L got a
workman that did; you see it is all
complete, ready for the plants. And
here he said, leading the way through
the kitchen and throwing open door,
lis the wood house and here opening
a door, is a pantry that can't be beat
anywhere. And this is something You
didn't MENTION he continued, ap-
proachiug neat sink in the kitchen;
and laying hold Of the handle of cis-
tern pump that stood in the one end up
pushed a Jet of soft water, which told OF
, a good cistern underneath. LOOK
through the window and you will see a
q covered dram that carries away all the
waste water. am going TO fix 1t SC
| YOU can mrigate your flower garden
with it. You see l didn't do anything
, with these things he said, after they
had entered the sitting room, ClancinG
depreciatiDgly toward the dingy colore'
d papering, the dilapldated furniture an'
( threadbare carpet. l would rather trus
that to you. And besides l found ther'
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