The National tribune., 1882-04-08

checks"
All the evening little Mary sat by the
hearth with her hands in her mothers and
her large blue eyes fixed earnestly upon the
kind farmers face.
What are you thinking about, dearest? ?"
asked Mrs. Ellsworth once. She drew long
sigh, and whispered:
oh, mamma, he is so kind to us!"
When Mary Ellsworth and her little girl
set out next morning upon their long walk
20 BrecGtOu, Job Raynesford went with them
to the rate, fumbling uneasily in his pocket,
and glarcing CuUtily around TO make sure
that Hannah was not within seeing distance.
| When Mary extended her hand 10 say good
hye, TO her astonishRent bank bill was
thrust iuio II.
Don't say nothin'," muttered Job, with q
sheepish air "Ten dollars amt much to me,
and If You don't chance 10 get worlz in the
factory right away, il may be good deal o
use 20 you. Needn't thank me-you're as
welcome as flowers in May"
He bent over to kiss the child's fair fore
head, and stood watching them until the two
slight figures disappeared, and only the
golden sky and the moving crestS Of summer
woods remained
Ten dollars" calculated Mrs. Raynes-
ford, who had witnessed this little episode
from behind the curtains of her milk-rcom
window. q Is Job Raynesford crazy! To
give ten dollars to poor, strOlling vagrant !!
If he don't get piece OF my mind .
And she hastened out, her cap border fairly
standing on end with horror Job awaited
the coming tempest with philosophic coolness,
his hands in his pockets, and his lips parted
in good-natured smile. 1t was not the
| first piece of Mrs. Hannahs "mind that had
been bestowed upon him, nor did he suppose
it was likely to be the last
"She means WELL" he said to himself,
when the volley ofwrath had been discharged
on his luckless head, and Mrs. Raynestord
had returned to her butter making, but
she's got the greatest faculties for scolding
of any woman l ever saw"
The years fitted by, sprinl,ling the steep
old farmhouse 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 Raynesford, the care-worn
wrinkles began to gather around his mouth
and brow. Alas! those swift-footed years
brought troubles innumerable to the kind
old man.
"Twenty years." unused he, one bright
June morning, it don't seem possible, Han
nah, that it was twenty years ago this very
day that l caught that ugly fall from the
hay-racl1, and got lame for life"
He looked down at the crutches by his
side as he spoke, and sighed from the very
bottom of his heart.
Hannah stood in the doorway, tossing corn
to a forlorn little colony Of chickens. Twenty
years had not improved her in any respect
! she was gauntier, bonier and more vinegar
! faced than ever. -foo 40 r-
"Yes," said she, slowly, "and perhaps you
| don't remember that it was just twenty years
ago to-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 say ycu would
live to repent it?"
"I won't deny, Hannah" said the old man,
but that I've done good many things I've
been sorry fOr-we amt none Of lis perfect,
YOU know, wife-but that is not one Of them.
No. never for a moment repented being
Kind to the widow and fatherless."
Hannah shrugged her shoulders but made
no reply.
Didn't you say you were going up to see
the rich lawyer about the five thousand
dollars to-day?" she asked, presently.
"Yes, but 1 don't suppose it'n be much
use. If he'd wait little, I'd do my best TO
please him. Jones says he'll be sure to sell
they tell me he's hard man. mean to
explain to him just how the matter stands
and"-
~ told you how it would be long ago!"
calculated Hannah, unable to restrain her
vexation. What on earth ever possessed
you to sign for Jesse Fairweather?"
'."I s'posed he was an honest man, and I
wouldn't see an old friend wronged"
"Fiddlesticks!" exclaimed MB. Raynes-
ford. That's just your calculation, job!
There-Zeke has brought the wagon; do
start off, OF you'll be too late for the York
train"
And Job neekIy obeyed, only too happy
TO escape from the endless discoId OF his
wifes rolling tor2ue.
The rays of the noonday sun streamed
brightly through the stained glass easements
or Mr. Everleieh's Gothic library The room
was decorated with appurtenances Of wealth
and taste. Velvet chairs, with tall backs
of daintily carved rosewood, were scattered
here and there; marble vases occupied
inches beside the doorway, and the rarest
pictures hung on the pauelled and gilded
wall But the prcttiest object Of all-the
oue which the rich lawyer ottenest raised
his eyes from the writing 10 contemplate
with an involuntary smile of pride and aifec-
tion-wasa a lovely woman i'll white cash
mere morning robe, trimmed with velvet
who stood opposite arranging flowers in a
bouquet Shew spray of berries, carved
of pink Neapolitan coral, at her throat, and
tiny pendants OF the same rare stone in her
shell-like ears, and the slender waist was
tied around with pink ribbon.
"There, Walter, isn't that pretty?" she