Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-04-10

jubilant, thinking only of love in the
first hour of her waking from refreshing
sleep. Without wOrd-Only ripple of
gladness dropping from her lips-she
went to where the old man had just sat
down i'm the corner, and crept up again
into his lap.
II can't reach your cheek, UNCLE" she
laughed, without getting up,-yOu are
SO big and am so little"
And then she kissed him as she had
done the night before. but not as on the
night before did Rufus Grote. With a
movement almost spasmOtic-sO strange
was it for him, he drew the child back
to him, and imprinted hearty kiss upon
her round cheek.
And the words "God bless you, little
OneP' fell from his lips before he knew
it.
Verify the crust was broken. But
had any good seed fallen upon the heart?
What an odd scene for the misers
hOmel A really good breakfast table
tastefully laid-the fumes from the tea
pot fresh and fragrant-and the sur
rOundings cheerful.
After breakfast Rufus GrOte was forced
to 90 away on business. And on that
day he concluded arrangements for the
leasing of building which was to re-
turn him $4,000 year; and he had
meant when the business was done, that
he would be poorer than ever, and live
on less than heretofore, so that he might
lay up more. On this same day one of
his houses was vacated up town
dwelling, on one of the broad streets
where the green trees grew. He saw his
agent, and ordered him to let the house
as quickly as possible.
That evening, while Mrs. Sanford was
out, Flora came to Rufus GrOte's side,
and looked earnestly up into his face.
uncle" she said, with quaint serious
ness, don't you want me 10 get up into
your lap?"
why do you ask that?" demanded the
old man."
Mamma said Imusn't. She said you
wouldn't like it,"
| what made her think Ishouldn't like
it?"
Because she said you wasn't happy,
and she cried when she said that her
little girl mustn't make her Uncle Rufus
dislike her"
"And what did you say to that?" asked
Rufus GrOte, with awakening interest.
IL told mamma that 1 would put my
arms around your neck, and hug and
kiss you, and see if couldn't make you
love me. And if You loved me, knew
you would let me sit in your lap"
When Mary Sanford came in, half an
hour later. she found her child i'm Uncle
Rufus laph sunny head pillOwed upon
his bosom, and his strong arms entwiD-
ing her.
The good seed had fallen, and had taken
root!
| Three days afterward Rufus GrOte saw
his agent, and told him that he need not
hurry about renting the empty house up
town.
On the evening of the same day Mary
Sanford came i'm with letter in her
hand, aud found Flora nestled away in
her uncle's arms.
Uncle Rufus" she said, 81 have re-
ceived a letter from Mrs. Maynard. She
will be at home day after tomorrow"
"And she wants you to take charge of
her hOuse?"
"Yes."
"Very well. Wait till she comes"
And the old man held the little child
in his arms until it was time to 90 to
bed.
On the following morning Uncle Rufus
told Mary that he wanted her to take a
ride with him during the forenoon.
She said she would be at his service.
And later fine coach drew up before
the door, and Uncle Rufus came i'm and
babe Mary make ready and to make
Flora ready also.
They rode up town, and when they
stopped Uncle Rufus handed them out
before house with great chestnut trees
growing in the yard and upon the side
walk. And he led them into the house.
And in the broad, handsome parlor he
turned and spoke, holding Flora by the
hand:
MARY" he said, "this little child has
promised to make her old uncle happy,
and will not give her up. This house
is mine. If you will come and help me
to take care of it, will live in it. What
say your"
What could she say? She saw the new
light upon her uncle's face; and when he
took the child in his arms, and held the
sunny head close upon his bosom, she
was the blessing of the coming time. She
said, with burst of tears.
Dear uncle, if Flora and I can make
you happy, you may command us both"
There was a wonder up town and there
was wonder down town, when Rufus
GrOte appeared a well-dressed, smiling.
happy man.
And in the mansion beneath the shade
of the great chestnut trees, there was
peace and joy. An angel in the shape
of little child, had touched human
heart, long buried in cold darkness, and