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

one, see II these berries uon Pu' So'n0
color into your cheeks
All the evening little Mary sat by the
hearth, with her hands in her mothers,
and her large blue eyes fixed earnestly on
the farmers face.
"What are you thinking about, dear =
asked Mrs. Ellsworth once. She drew a
long sigh and whispered "Oh, mamma,
he is so kind TO us"
The tops of the far off eastern woods
were being turned to gold by that Won
drous chemist, the rising sun, when Mary
Ellsworth and her child set out upon the
long walk. to Brocton. Job Raynesford
went to the gate, fumbling uneasily in his
pocket, and glancing guiltily around to
make sure that Hannah was not within
seeing distance. When Mary extended
her hand to say goodbye, a bank bill was
thrust into it.
"Don't say nothin', muttered Job, with
sheepish air. "Ten dollars amt much
to me, and if you don't get chance to
work in the factory right away, it may be
a good deal o use to you. Needn't thank
me-you're as welcome as flowers in
May"
"Ten dollars" calculated Mrs. Raynes-
ford, who had witnessed this little episode
from behind the curtains of her milk room
window. "Is Job Raynesford crazy? To
give ten dollars to strolling vagrant. If
he don't get piece of my mind" and
she fastened out, her cap border fairly
standing on end with horror Job await
ed the coming tempest with philosophic
coolness, his hands in his pockets, his lips
parted in a good-humored smile.
"She means well, " he said to himself,
when the volley of wrath had been dis
charged on his luckless head, and Mrs.
Raynesford had returned to the butter
making, "but she's got the greatest faculty
for scoldin' of any woman [ ever saw"
The years fitted by, sprinkling the steep
old farmhouse roof with crystal drops of
April showers, and thatching it with the
dazzling ermine of January SHOWS many
and many time. Gray hairs crept in
among the raven locks of Farmer Raynes-
ford, careworn wrinkles began to gather
around his mouth and brow. Alas! those
swift footed years brought troubles innu-
merable to the kind old man.
"Twenty years." mused he, one bright
June morning; sit don't seem possible,
Hannah, that it was twenty years ago this
very day that 1 caught that ugly fall from
the hayrick and got lame for life" And
he looked down at the crutches by his
side. Hannah stood in the door throwing
corn to a forlorn colony of chickens.
Twenty years had not improved her in any
respect-she was gaunter, bonier and more
vinegar faced than ever.
eyes," said she slowly, "and perhaps
you don't remember that it was twenty
years ago this very day that you threw ten
dollars away on that woman and her child.
] told you that you'd end your days in the
poorhouse, and don't see but what my
prediction is likely to come true. Didn't
1 say you would live to repent it 2"
81 don't deny, Hannah" said the old
man, shut that I've done good many
things I've been sorry for-but that is
not one of them. No, | never for a mo-
ment repent being kind to the widow and
fatherless''
Hannah shrugged her shoulders, but
made no answer. "Didn't you say you
were going up to see that rich lawyer
about the five thousand dollar note to-
day p she asked
eyes, buG 1 don't s'pose it'll be much
use. If he'd wait little I'd do my best
to please him. Jones says he'll be sure to
sell the old place from over our heads,
however they say he's hard man. [
mean to tell him just how the matter
stands and"
81 told you how it would be long ago,
said Hannah, unable to restrain her vex-
alton. "Whatever possessed you to sign
for Jesse Fairweather p
II s'posed he was an honest man, and
wouldn't see an old man wronged."
"Fiddlestieks !" That's just your cal
culation, Job. There, Zeke has brought
the wagon do start off, or you'll be too
late for the New York train" And Job
meekly obcyed, only too happy to escape
from the endless discord of his wife S rail.
ing tongue.
The rays of the MONDAY sun streamed
brightly through the stained glass case
ments of Mr.. Everleighs superb gothic IL
brary. The room was decorated with ev-
cry appurtenance of wealth and taste.
Velvet chairs, with tall backs of daintily
carved rosewood, were scattered here aud
there; marble vases occupied inches be-
side the doorway, and tie rarest pictures
hung on the paneled and gilded walls.
But the prettiest object of all-the one
which the rich lawyer oftenest raised his
eyes from his writing to contemplat, with
an involuntary smile of pride and affection
was lovely woman in white cashmere
morning robe, trimmed with velvet, who
stood opposite, arranging flowers in bou-
quet. She wore spray of berries carved
we'd of piak Neapolitan coral at her throat,
and tiny pendants of the rare stone in her
small shell-like ears, and the slender waist