Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-05-23

MT. uranatn idugntu OutTiSut Nv s"'''
"Now, Jennie, he said, al never said
anything about it, but always thought it
was Kind OF foolish 10 spend so much
money and time as you do in fussing
with flowers out of doors; tut when you
come to make flower beds of-that beats
me-
"Hiram, said Mrs. Graham, 'vou asked
me for my opinion; now pleas don't inter-
rupt me-
every well; go ahead"
"Iwould have portico built over where
you are sitting, and woodhouse. and
large, cool, pantry, that | need so mnch,
on the back of the kitchen. One part OF
the woodhouse would be finished off, where
the cook stove could stand in warm wea-
ther. 1t would be so much cooler for Us
| to ca. in the kitchen. Besides this, there
are mauv little adornments, such as pic
lures, etc, that would add afterward."
"whyr' exclaimed Mr.. Graham, "if we
were to 90 into that 1t would take every
| cent OF the money
"well, we earned it to invest in some
thing. didn't we!'
I "Yes; hut | want to invest my money
In something that will bring me some in
come"
at would bring ds in the best of all In
comes-not in dollars, but, what is better
far, in Joy and happiness. Life would
have fuller and purer meaning for us
both II would bring higher and better
stmosphere 10 which to rear our children.
Even the humming bird loves to deck It's
sweet little nest with mosses and lichens.
Ought we not to have as much love for
home and It's adornirgs as Gods dumb
creatures"
al have something more important TO
live for than humming bird has, said
Mr.. Graham. tartly. =" would rather
leave something more substantial to my
childreu-such as bonds and well-tilled
acres, for instance. will tell you what
have been thinking OF, " with an air OF one
who felt that the expressing of his opinion
must necessarily bring conviction OF his
superior judgment. "Iou know that
have always wanted that forty acre lot of
Southwelrs that joins me on the north.
They say he ~ hard up now, and when he
finds out that can make large payment
down. | believe | can get it reasonable.
And when get IN at paid for would have
one of the best farms In the country. Now
what do YOU say TO that" he asked, tri
umphantly.
1t would run Us right in debt again,
said Mrs. Graham.
"wen. supposing 1t did. Wehave swung
clear this time, easy enough. aud can
again. You must remember that this land
was badly run down when first got hold
of il, bu, the farm IS In good condition,
now"
Easy enough" Mrs. Graham did not
repeat the words aloud. Her husband did
not know of the little sacrifices and acts
of selfdenial it had cost her. He never
could know it; and therein lies the pathos
OF many sacrifice.
The next morning Mrs. Graham was up
betimes and busy as usual amidst her
household cares, but her heart had lost its
lightuess. She could think OF nothing but
the great barn like house, planted glar-
in red, with its large shutterless windows,
like lidless eyes, staring ont upon the duS-
~ highway. Inside it was equally barren
O: grace aud beauty; the walls were dinSy
and unadorned by pictures Of any kind;
the furn iture was guiltless OF paint or var
uish: with no works OF literature wor-
thy OF mention beside the weekly pa
per, the Bible sud an almanac. Outside,
there were pleasant walks and drives, anu
4 flower garden with the rarest floral trca-
sures: and then she sighed softly as she
thought 10 herself;
But love would not have been there,
and life would have been worth very little
to me without that"
Jennie Jennie Oh, here you are, and
Mr.. Graham came out through the kitchen
door aud seated himself upon the edge OF
huge log that had been hewn out and did
duty for eavesdrop and cistern.
twas not unusual for him to seek her;
he always did when he came in and did not
find her in the house. 1t was not bad
bshi, ~ the man. His life seemed bound
nm in her. and although he had the reputa-
,;o, Of be ing close in his business
transactions. he was kind hearted and
cenerous too. in bis way. This morning
he had something H. 7portant to communi-
cate
- didn't tell you last evening said he'
"that had already had some ta'h win
Southwell about the land. He wouldn I
listen to cent under two tn ousanu uol'
lars then, and wouldn't Offer more 'hau
fifteen hundred. He came over to see me
this morning, and offered to split th : at
ference. Amt that bargain, though! "A
little better than spending money for paint
and paper, Jennie! Oh" rising to go, i
came near forgetting to tell you. Powers
il here. He wants TO hire out during har-
vest. | have hands enough, but suppose
the more help have the better l shall get
along, SO | told him to go right to WORK.
I don't suppose he has been to breakfast
vet, his folks are so slack, so you might
send out a bit for him to eat. Try anu
have the lunch ready at half past nine; you
can blow the horn, and will send one OF
the men down for it,"
|. thu last straw