Morris tribune., 1882-05-11
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

ueW Irom your cufls. NOW take my
hand"
But the child hung back, sobbing with
weariness and exhaustion. and the pale
young mother, bending over her in the vain
attempt to soothe the hysterical excite
ment, did not hear the rumble Of advanc-
ing wheels until they passed close to her
and rough, hearty voice exclaimed:
What ails the little girl? Amt sick, is
she?"
Mary Ellsworth had never seen farmer
Rsynesford before, yet the moment hel
eyes rested on the wrinkled, sun burned
ing kind eyes, she felt that he was friend,
and made answer promptly:
Not sick, sir, but very tired. We have
walked long way"
"Got much farther to go2 asked the
farmer, tickling his horses ear with the
end of his whip.
ITO Breckton."
Mr.. Raynesford gave low whistle.
That's four miles off, and the little gal
is pretty nigh used up Already"
II know it, )" said the woman, with sigh,
but have no money to hire a lodging
nearer. In Breckton hope to obtain work
in the factory"
Farmer Raynesford gave the seat of his
wagon thump with his whip handle that
made old Bonney drop the mouthful of
clover he was nibbling from the roadside
and prick up his cars in astonishment.
Il won't hear Of such thing!" said he,
energetieally. why that child can't go
twenty rods farther! Here, get in along
with me. You won't be none the worse for
q bit Of supper and q good nights rest.
l know Hannah1l scold," he muttered, as
he lifted the little girl to his side and e1-
tended his hand to the mother; "but I can't
see folks perishin' by the wayside and never
offer to help EN-. don't care il she scolds
the roof of the house off,"
He drove rapidly along, interjecting re-
marks to his horse, while Mrs. Ellsworth
drew her thin shawl around the little golden
head that already dropped drowsily upon
her shoulder, and thought with deep sem
sation of gratitude upon the shelter heaven
provided her in her sorest strait.
1t was an odd shaped old farm house,
gray with the storms Of nearly half O GEN.
fury, with broad door in one, overhune
by giant lilac bushes, and kitchen, where,
even in the bloomy month of June, great
fire roared up the -throated chimney,
and shining rows Of tins winked and gilt
tered at every upward leap of the
flames.
Mr.. Raynesford jumped out Of the wag-
on, threw the reins over post and went in
to conciliate his domestic Gespot.
Look here, Hannah" he said to tall
angular looking female who emerged from
pantry near by, her face nearly or quite as
sour as the saucer of pickles she was carry
ing. Jest set a couple more plates on the
table, will youP I've brought home wo
man and little gal found piece below,
cen most tired 10 death. They was cal
culatin' to walk on to Breckton, but
thought it wouldn't hunt us to keep 'em
over night"
Il am astonished at you, Job Raynes-
ford, said his better half in tone of angry
remonstrance. "We might just as well
hang out tavern sign at once and done
with it; you're always bringing home some
poor, miserable creetur or other and"-
"There, there, Hannah, !" interrupted Mr..
you when you're anyway reasonable, but it
sufferin' and never stretch out a helpin
hand. 'Taint scriptur nor 'taint human
natur'
"Well. 20 your own gait, Job Raynes-
ford," responded his wife, tartly. 'Only
mark my words, if you don't end your days
in the oor-house. 'twon't be through no
fault O your own!"
She shut the pantry door with bang
that made all the jelly cups and the milk
pans rattle, while Job, with an odd grim
ace went out to help his guests to alight.
"Don't mind my old woman, said he,
apologetically, as Mrs. Ellsworth sprang to
the ground. "Shes kind OF sharp spoken,
hut she means we'll after all. We amt all
just alike in our notions, you know"
IF 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 Ranesford pretended not to hear
he was busy lifting little Mary out.
"Set on them blackberries, Hannah,
said he toward the close of their evening
meal "The little gals 30 tired she can't eat
nothin' solid"
Il was calculating to keep them blackber,
ries for the donation party, to- morrow, says
Mrs. Raynesford, rising with rather IN un.
willing air.
"Nonsense!" quoth the farmer, with 8
broad laugh. "I'm having donation party
of my own tonight. Here, little one, see
if those berries don't put some 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 upon the
kind farmers face.
What are you thinking about, dearest2
asked Mrs. Ellsworth once. She drew 0
long sigh and whispered: ........
"Oh mamma, he is SO KIND to usl"
When Mary Ellsworth and her little girl
sat out next morning upon their long wall
to Breckton, job. .Raynesford went with them
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 t. say good.
by, to her astonishment bank bill wa!
thrust into it.
Don't say nothi'n" muttered Job, will
sheepish air. aTen dollars amt much tc
me, and il yon don't chance to get work in
the factory right away. it may be a Root
deal O. use to you. Needn't thank me-
you're as welcome as flowers in Mayl"
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 oi
summer woods remained.
"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! II
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. Jot
awaited the coming tempest with philo.
sophie GOODNESS, his hands in his pockets
and his lips parted in good naturet
smile. 1t was not the first piece OF Han.
nah's mind" that had been bestowed upor
him, nor did he suppose it was likely to b.
the last,
"She means well,' he said to himself
when the volley of wrath had been dis
charged at his luckless head, and Mrs
Raynesford had returned to her butter.
making, but she's got the greatest facultie!
for scolding Of any woman I ever saw"
The years fitted by, sprinkling the steer
old farm. house with crystal drops Of April
showers, and thaching it with the dazzling
ermine Of January SHOWS, many and many
time. Gray hairs crept in among th.
raven locks Of Farmer Raynesford, the care
worn wrinkles began to gather around his
mouth and brow. Alas! those swiffoDtei
years brought troubles innumerable to the
kind old man.
Twenty yearslo mused he, one brieh
June morning, "it don't seem possible
Hannah. that it was twenty years ago thi
very day that caught that ugly fall frcm th,