The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-01-29
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PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

"Oh, mother, mother, [ am so tired !"
The dew drops quivered like imperia
diamonds upon the broad green plume'
of the cornfeld by the wayside the grass
that bent over the footpath was heavy
with evening moisture yet these two
wanderers clung together homeless and
alone in the falling shadows of the night
"Cheer up, my child, we have not very
far to go. Come closer, let me brush the
dew from your curls. Now take my
hand"
But the child hung back, sobbing with
WEAKNESS and exhaustion, and the pale
mother, bending over her in the vain at
tempt to soothe the hysterical excitement,
did not hear the rumble of advancing
wheels until they passed close to Eer, and
rough, hearty voice exclaimed
"What ails the little girl? Is she
sick ?"
Mary Ellsworth had never seen Farmer
Raynesford before-yet the moment hel
eye rested upon his wrinkled, sunburnt
face, with the shaggy brows overshadow,
ing kind eyes, she felt that he was a
friend, and made answer promptly:
'Not sick, sir, but very tired. We
have walked long way"
SCOT much farther to o?' asked the
farmer, tickling the horses ear with the
end of his whip.
"To Brocton." ;"
THAT is four miles off, and the little
gal is pretty nigh used up already"
II know it," said the woman, with a
sigh. "But l have no money to hire a
lodging nearer. In Brocton [ hope to OBJ
tain work in the factory"
Il won't hear no such thing p said he,
energetically. "Why, that child can't go
twenty rods further. Here, get in long
with me. You won't be none the worse
for bit of supper and good nights rest.
[ know Hannah'lI scold," he muttered, as
be lifted the little girl to his side aud ex-
tended his hand to the mother; "but |
can't see folks perishing by the Wayside
and never offer to help 'em. don't care
if she scolds the roof of the house off"
1t was an oddly shaped old farmhouse,
gray with the storms of nearly half a CEN
tury, with a broad door-stone, oyerhung
by giant lilac bushes, and kitchen where
even in the bloomy month of June, great
fire roared up the wide-throated chimney,
and shining rows Of tins winked and gilt
tered at every upward leap of the flames.
Such neat kitchen it was Mrs. Ellis
worth's heart involuntarily warmed at the
genial sight,
Mr.. Raynesford jumped out of the wa
gon, threw the lines over post, and went
in to conciliate his domestic despot.
''Look here, Hannah," said he to tall,
angular-looking female who emerged from
pantry near by at the sound of his foot
steps, her face nearly or quite as sour as
the saucer Of pickles she was carrying,
'jest set couple more plates on the table,
will you? I've brought home woman
and little gal that l found a piece below,
cen almost tired to death. They were
calculatin' to walk on to Brocton, but
thought it wouldn't hurt us to keep 'em
over night"
"Im astonished at you, Job Raynes-
ford, said his better half, in a tone of in
dignant remonstrance awe might Jest
as we'll hang out tavern sign at once, and
done with it you're always bringing home
some poor miserable cretur or other, and
~
'There, there, Hannah interrupted
Mr.. Raynesford, "I'm always willin' to
hear you when you re anyways reasonable,
but it goes clear agin my grain to see poor
folks suferin' and never stretch out q
helpin' hand. 'Tain't Scripter no, tain t
human natur'."
"Well, go your own gait, Job Raynes-
ford" responded his wife, tartly; "only
mark my words, if you don't end your
days in the poorhouse, twon't be through
no fault O yourn.'
She shut the pantry door with bang
that made all the jelly cups and milk pans
rattle, while Job, with an odd grimace,
went out to help his guests to alight.
"Don't mind my old woman" said he,
apoiogetically, as Mrs. Ellsworth sprans
to the ground "she's kind O. sharp spoken,
but she means well, arter all. We amt
just alike in our notions, you know"
"lf all the world were like you sir, said
the young widow, with tears in her eyes,
there would be less want and suffering by
far" Farmer Raynesford pretended not
to hear-he was busy helping little Mary
out
Set on them blackberries, Hannah p'
said he, toward the close of the evening
meal; the little gals SO tired she can't eat
nOthin' solid"
81 was ealculatin to keep the blackber-
rles for the donation party tomorrow .
said Mrs. Raynesford, rising with rather
an unwilling air.
Nonsense" quoth the farmer, with a
broad laugh" "I'm havin' a donation