The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-05-20
PRINOIPAL AND INTEREST.

"Cheer up, my child, we have not very fa
10 90. Come closer; let me brush the de-
from your curls. Now take my hand"
But the child hung back, sobbing wit
WEAKNESS and exhaustion, and the pale youn
mother, bending over her in the vain attemr
to soothe the hysterical excitement, did nc
hear the rumble Of advancing wheels unit
they passed close to her and o rough, heart
voice exclaimed:
IaWhat alls the little g,rli Amt sick,
she?"
Mary Ellsworth had never seen Farme
Raynesford before, yet the moment her eye
rested on his wrinkled, sun.burned face witt
the shaggy brows overshadOwing kind eyes
she felt that he was a friend, and made answe
"Not sick, Sir, but very tired. We hav
walked a long way"
"Got much farther to goY asked the farmer
tickling the horses ear with the end of III
whip.
"To Breckton"
Mr. Raynesford gave a low whistle.
"Thats four miles off, aud the little gal il
pretty nigh used up already"
81 know It," said the woman, with sigh
"but have no money to hire lodging near
er. In Breckton l hope to work in the FAC
tory"
Farmer Raynesford gave the seat Of his wa
gon thump with his whip handle that made
old Bonney drop the mouthful Of clover he
was nibbling from the roadside and prick up
his ears in establishment.
81 won't hear to no such thlngW SAID he
theoretically. ""Why that child can't go TWEEN
ty rods farther! Here, get in along with me
You won't be none the worse for bit OF sup
per and a good nights rest. | know Han
nah'll scold," he muttered, rs he lifted the
little girl to his side, and extended his hand
to the mother; "but l can't see folks perlshin'
by the wayslde and never offer to help 'em.
don't care If she scolds the roof Of the house
Off"
He drove rapidly along, making occasional
lnteriectional remarks to his horse, while Mrs.
Ellsworth drew her thin shawl around the 1T
tie golden head that already dropped drowsily
upon her shoulder, and thought with deep
sensation Of gratitude upon the shelter heaven
had provided her in her sOrest strait.
1t was an odd.shaped old farmhouse, gray
with the storms of nearly half century, with
broad door IN one end overhung by giant Ii
lac bushes, and kitchen where even in the
bloomy month of June great fire roared up
the widethroated chimney, and shining rows
of tins winked and glittered at every upward
leap of the flames.
Mr. Raynesford jumped out Of the wagon,
threw the rens over post, and went IN to
concliate his domestic despOt.
"Look here Hannah" sally he to tall, an
gular looking female who emerged from a
pantry near by, her face nearly or quite as sour
as the saucer of pickles she was carrying.
"Jest set couple more plates on the table,
will you? I've brought home woman and
little gal found piece below, cen Almost
tired to death. They was calculatln' to walk
on to Breckton, but | thought it wouldn't
hurt US to keep em over night"
pm astonlshed at you, Job Raynestord,"
SAID his better half, in tone of indignant re-
monstrancc. ave might just as well hang
out tavern sign at once and be done with 1t
you're always bringing home some poor, mis-
cradle crectur or other. and"
"There, there, Hannah" interrupted Mr.,
Raynesford. pm always wllin to hear you
when you're anyway reasonable, but 1t goes
clear ag'in my grain to see poor folks suffer
in and never stretch out helpin' hand.
faint scripture nor faint human natur'."
"Wcll, go your own gait job Raynesford,"
responded his wife tartly. "Only mark my
words, If You don't end your days in the poor
house 'twont be through no fault o. your'n!'
She shut the pantry door with bang that
made all the jelly cups and milk pans rattle,
while job with an odd grimace, went out to
help his guests to allght.
"Dont mind my old woman" he said, apollo
getically, as Mrs. Ellsworth sprang to the
ground. "Shes kind o. sharp spoken, but she
means well after all. We amt all just alike
In our notions, you know
"lf 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"
Mr. Raynesford pretended not to hear; he
was busy lifting little Mary out.
Set on them black berries; Hannah" said
he, toward the close of the evening meal; "the
little gals so tired she can't eat nothing solid"
II was calculating to keep the blackberrles
for the donation party tomorrow" said Mrs.
RaynesfOrd, rising with rather an unwilling
air.
Nonsense" quoth the farmer, with broad
laugh, I'm having a donation party of my
own to night 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 hand in her mothers and her large
blue eyes fixed earnestly upon the kind farm
er's face.
What are you thanking about, dearest? ?"
asked Mrs. Ellsworth once. She drew o long
sigh and whispered
ooh, mamma, he is so kind to us!"
When Mary Ellsworth and her little girl set
out next morning on their long walk to Brock
ton, Job Raynesford went with them to the
gate, fumbIng uneasily in his pocket and
glanclng guilty around to make sure that
Hannah was not within seeing distance. When
Mary extended her hand to say gOod.by, to her
establishment bank bill was thrust in it.
Don't say nothln',' muttercd Job, with a
sheepish ar "Ten dollars amt much to me,
and If you don't chance TO get work in the fac
tory right away it may be good deal of use
to you. Needn't thank mcguire as wei.
come rs the flowers IN May"
He bent over to kiss the childs fair forehead,
ana stood watching them until the two slight
figures disappeared, and only the golden sky
and moving crests of summer woods remained.
Ten dollarsP calculated Mrs. Raynesford,
who had witnessed this little episode from be.
hind the curtains of her milk.room window
Is Job Raynesford crazy9 To give $40 to a
poor, strolling vagrant! If he don't get u
piece of nv mind