The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-05-05
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

''Cheer up. my child, we have not very
far to 60 Come closer; let me brush
the dew from your curls. Now take my
hand"
But the child hung back, sobbing with
WEAKNESS and exhaustion. and the pale
young mother. bending over her in the
vain attempt TO soothe the historical ex-
| element, did not hear the rumble of adj
vancing wheels until they passed close
to her and rough, hearty voice ex-
claimed:
what ails tho little girlo Amt sick.
is she?"
Mary Ellsworth had never seen Farm
er Raynesford before; yet the moment
her eyes rested on his wrinkled. sun
burned face, with the shaggy brows over
shadowing kind eyes, she felt that he
was friend, and made answer prompt
ly:
mot sick, sir. but very tired. We
have walked long way"
''Got much farther to co." asked the
farmer, ticking the horses ear with the
end of his whip.
TO 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 q
sigh. "but / have no money to hire
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 mouth
full of clover he was nibbling from the
roadside and prick mp his ears in aston
ishment.
Il won't hear to no such thing!" said
he energetically. .'Why. that child can't
go twenty rods farther! Here, get in
along with me. You won't be none the
worse for bit of supper and good
nights rest. know Hannah'll scold,"
he uttered, as he lifted the little girl to
his side, and extended his hand to the
mother: "but l can't see folks perishin'
by the wayside and never offer to help
'em. don't care if she scolds the roof
of the house off,"
He drove rapidly along, making occa-
sional interjectional remarks 10 his horse.
while Mrs. Ellsworth drew her thin shawl
around the little golden head that al
ready dropped drowsily upon her should
CIR, and thought with n 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 lilac bushes. and a
kitchen where even in the bloomy month
of June great fire roared up the wide
throated chimney. and shining rows of
tins winked and glittered at every up
ward leap of the flames.
Mr.. Raynesford jumped out of the
wagon, threw the reins over post, and
went in to conciliate his domestic des-
pot.
Look here, Hannah" said he, to
tall, angular-looking female who emerg-
ed from n pantry near by, her face near
" or quite as sour as the saucer of pick
les she was carrying. "Jest set a couple
more plates on the table, will you? I've
brought home a woman and little gal
l found piece below, cen almost tired
to death. They was calculatin' to walk
on to Breckton. but thought it wouldn't
hurt us to keep 'em over night"
"Tm astonished at you, Job Raynes-
ford" said his better half, in a tone of
| indignant remonstrance. 1--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.. Raynesford, I'm always willin' to
| hear to you when you re anyway reason
able, but it goes clear ag'in my grain to
see poor folks sufferin' and never
stretch out helpin' hand. faint Scrip
tur faint human natur'."
..Wcll go your own gait, Job Raynes-
ford" responded his wife, tartly. ''Only
mark my words, if you don't end your
DAYS in the poor house, 'twon't be
through no fault O. yourn!"
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
alight.
"Don't mind my old woman" saddle,
apologetically. as Mrs. Ellsworth sprang
to the ground. "She's kind o sharp
spoken, but she means well 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
ewes, there would be less want and SUI
fering, by far"
Farmer Raynesford pretended not to
hear; he was busy lifting little Mary
out.
..Set on them blackberries, Hannah"
said he, toward the close of their even
ing meal; '.the little gals SO tired she
can't eat nothin' solid"
IL was calculating to keep the black,
berries for the donation party to-mor-
row." said Mrs. Raynesferd, rising with
rather an unwilling air.
Nonsense" quoth the farmer, with o
broad laugh, "rm 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 hand in her mothers
and her large blue eyes fixed earnestly
upon the kind farmers face.
"What are you thinking about dear
est?'' asked Mrs. Ellsworth once. Sht
threw q long sigh and whispered:
"Oh, mamma, he is SO kind to usr
When Mary Ellsworth and her little
girl set out next morning upon their lonl
walk to Breckton, Job Raynesford wen
with them to the gate, fumbling uneasi
" In his pocket and glancing guiltil!
sround to make sure that Hannah wa