The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-05-25

| with SneeplSN air. Len collars ain
much to me. and if you don't chance to
get work in the factory right away it
may be good deal of use to you
Needn't thank me-youre as welcome
as the flowers in May"
He bent over to kiss the childs fair
forehead, and stood watching them uil-
til the two slight figures disappeared,
and only the golden sky and moving
crcsts Of summer woods remained.
''Ten dollarsn' calculated Mrs. Raynes-
ford, who had Witnessed this little epi-
sode from behind the curtains of her
milk-room window. 'Is Job Raynes-
ford crazy? To give 80 to a poor, stroll
ing vagrant! Ii he don't get a piece Of
nv mind"
fairly standing on end with horror. job
awaited the coming tempest with phil
osophic GOODNESS, his hands in his pock-
cts, and his lips parted in Il good-natured
smile. 1t was not the first piece of Han
nah's "mind that had been bestowed up
on him, nor did he suppose it was likely
to be the last.
'.She means WE'LL" he said to himself,
when the volley of wrath had been dis
charged on his luckless head. and Mrs.
Raynesford had returned to her butter
making, "but she's got the greatest fac
ulties for scolding OF any woman l ever
sawr'
The years fitted by sprinkling the
| steep old farmhouse with crystal drops
of April showers, and matching it with
the dazzling ermine of January SHOWS,
many and many time. Gray hairs
crept in among the raven locks of Farm
er Raynesford, the care-worn wrinkles
began to gather around his mouth and
brow. Alasi those swift-footed years
brought troubles innumerable to the
kind old man.
Twenty years!' mused he, one bright
June morning lit don't seem possible,
Hannah, that cit was twenty years ago
this very day that caught that ugly fail
from the hay-rack, and got lame for
lfe.''
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 q forlorn little colony of chick
ems. Twenty years had not improved
her in any respect-she was gauntier-
bonier and more vinegar-faced than ev-
er.
EYES," said she, slowly, land perhaps
you don't remember that it was Just
twenty years ago to-day that you threw
$40 away on that woman and her child.
l told you that you'd end your days in
the poor house, and don't see but what
my prediction is likely to come true
Didn't say you would live to repent
it?''
81 won't deny, Hannah said the old
man, 'but that I've done a good many
things, I've been sorry for-we amt
none of us perfect, you know, wife-but
that is not one of them. No, l never for
minute repented being kind to the
widow and fathcrless.
Hannah shrugged her shoulders but
made no reply.
Didn't you say you were going UP TO
see the rich lawyer about the live thou
sand dollars to-day?" she asked, pres
emily.
Yes, but don't suppose it'll be much
use. If he'd wait a 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 tell me he's a hard
man. / mean to explain to him just how
the matter stands
Il told you how it would be long
agon' calculated Hannah, unable to re-
strain her veXation. ''What on earth
ever possessed you to sign for Jesse
Fairweather?''
l s'posed he was a honest man, and
wouldn't see an old friend wronged."
''Fiddlesticksn' exclaimed Mrs Ravnes-
ford. That's just your calculation, job!
There-Zeke has brought the wagon; do
start off or you'll be too late for the York
train
And Job meekly obeyed, only too
happy to escape from the endless discord
of his wife's rolling tongue.
The rays ofthe MONDAY sun streamed
brightly through the stained glass case
ments of Mr.. Everleigh's gothic library.
The room was decorated with appurten-
ances 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 panelled and gilded wall. But
the prettiest object of all-the one which
the rich lawyer oftenest raised his eyes
from the writing to contemplate with an
involuntary smile of pride and affection
was lovely woman in a white cash
mere morning robe, trimmed with vel
vet, who stood opposite arranging flow
ers in a bouquet. She wore a 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 a pink ribbon.
"There. Walter. isn't that prettYa'
she asked, holding up her completed
bouquet.
Every pretty" he answered, looking
not at the roses or geraniums, but direct
ly at the blue eyes and golden curls OF
his beautiful young wife.
"You are not even noticing it," she
pouted.
because l see something so much
better worth looking att he said, play
fully.
''Do you really love me so very much9''
she asked, throwing down the flowers
and coming around to his side.
He rose and drew her carcssingly to-
ward him.
"My dearest, you are more precious
to me than the whole world besides!''
She let her head rest for Il moment on
his shoulder, and when she raised it there
was a tear on her eyelashes.
''OI, " alleI, IL lndilllld COuIN cHly
see how happy we are!'
There was q knock at the door. Mrs.
Everleigh slipped from her husbands
arm with the prettiest blush in the
world, and was very busy with her flow
ers when the rich lawyers Fright hand
man. put his grizzled head into the
room.
"The old man wants to see you about
that Fairweather business"
'.Show him in. Don't look so disap-
pointed, love" he said, us the grizzled
head disappeared. 81 shall not be de-
tanned three minutes, and the horses are
at the door"
Mary Everleigh never troubled her
pretty little head about business matters,
so she never looked up Us the halting
sound of old Mr.. Raynesford's crutch
echoed on the carpet. But the instant
he spoke she started as if an arrow had
smitten her, and her slender hands clasp
ed together, listening rs intently as
though her life depended on hearing ev-
cry word The old man was pleading
and sorrowful-her husband politely in