The Worthington advance., 1882-05-11
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

| "Oh, mother, mother, 7 am 90 tiredi"
"Cheer up, my child, We have not verv
far to 60. Come closer, let mo brush the
dew from your curls. Now take my
hand"
! But tho child hung back, sobbing with
weariness and exhaustion. and the pale
young mother, bending over her in the vain
attempt to soothe the hystericsl excite.
| ment. did not hear tho rumble Of advano-
ing wheels until they passed close to her
aud . rough, hearty voice exclaimed:
What ails tho little girl? Amt sick, is
she?"
| Mary Ellsworth had never seen farmer
| Rayaesford before, yet the moment he1
| eyes rested on the wriukled, sun.burned
face, with the shaggy brows overshadow-
| ing kind eyes, sho felt that he was friend,
and made answer promptly:
! Not sick, sir. bnt very tired. We have
| walked long way"
| "Got much farther to go7 asked the
farmer. tickling bis horses ear with the
end Of his whip.
ITO Breokton."
Mr.. Raynesfotd gave low whistle.
! That's four miles Of, and the little eal
! is pretty nigh uesd up Already"
! Il know it. said the woman. with Sigh,
but have no money to hire lodging
nearer. In Bfeekton ! hope to obtain work
I in che factory" -. ,~s... =.
Farmer Raynssford gave the seat of his
| wagon thump with his whip handle that
made old Bonney drop the moutbful Of
| clover he Was nibbling from the roadside
and prick up his cars in antonishment.
Il won't hear Of such thing!" said he,
elergetically. why that child can't go
twenty rods falther Here, get in along
! With Inc. You won't be none the worse for
| bit OF supper end good nights rest
| know Hannahll scold." ne muttered, as
! he lifted the little girl to his side and er.
tended his hand to the mother: "but can I
see folks perishin' by the vayside and never
| offer to help 'em. ! don't care If she scolds
| the roof of the house off,"
He drove rapidly along interjeoting se-
marks to his horse, while Mrs. Ellsworth
head that already dropped drowsily upon
her shoulder, snd thong ght with a deep sen.
sation Of gratitude upon the shelter heaven
| provided her in her sorest strait.
It was an odd shaped old arm-house,
cray with the storms Of nearly half cen
| fury, with broad door. in one, overhung
| by giant lilac bushes, and kitchen, where.
| even in the bloomy month Of June, great
| fire rOared up the vide -throatad chimney,
and shining rows of ting winked and gilt
tered at every upward leap OF the
| flames.
Mr.. Raynestord jumped OH. Of the wAg-
| on, threw the reins over post and went il
to concliate his domestic despot.
Look here Hannah," he said to tall,
| angular looking female who emerged from
| pantry near by, her face nearly or quite as
eour as the saucer of pickles she was carry
ing. Jest set a couple more plates on the
table, will your I've brought home wo.
man and little gal found piece below
cen most tired to death. They was cal
! thought it wouldn't hut us to keep 'em
! over night"
Il am astonished at you, Job Raynes.
| ford" said his better half In a tone of angry
remonstrance. I'VE 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, Il am always willin' to hear to
you when you're anyway reasonable, but it
| goes clear ae'n MY grain to soc poor folks n
| sufferin' and never stretch out helpin'
hand: 'Taint script"r nor faint human
aatur'. "
"Well. 90 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 your own!"
She shut the pantry door with q 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 be,
apologetically, as Mrs. Ellsworth sprang to
I 1$,rA Shaso nd nf
hut she means we'll after all. We amt all
| Just alike in our notions, you knew"
IF all the world we're 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 hoar;
be was busy lifting little Mary out.
''Set on them blackberries, Hannah, u
said he toward the close Of their evening
meal. "The little gals so tired she cant cal
nothin' solid"
Il was calculating to keep them blae kber,
ries for the donation party, Tomorrow" says
Mrs. Raynesford, rising with rather an un-
willing air.
"Nonsensei" quoth the farmer, with &
broad laugh. "l'm having donation party
cf my own to~right; Here. little one, see
| il 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 eyea fixed earnestly upon the
| kind farmers face.
! What are you thinking about, dearesi1"
| asked Mrs. Ellsworth once She drew 4
long sig gh and whispered:
| "Oh mamma. he is SO nd to 1lsl'
When Mary Ellsworth and her littlo gill
sat out next morning upon their long walk
10 Breckton. job. Raynesford went with them
| to the gate, fullb|ing nneasily in his pocket,
| and glaucing guiltily around to make sure
That Hannah was not within seeing distance.
| When Mary extended her hand t. say good
By. to her aetcniahment bank bill Was
thrust into it.
Don't say nothi'n" mntterel job, With
d skeepish air. "Ten dollars amt much to
ME, and if you don't chance to ge: work IN
| the factory right away, it may be e good
deal G. use to you Needn't thank NE
yon're as welcome as flowers in May!"
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 aud the moving cyests OF
| summer woods remained.
! Ten dollars!" calculated NIre. Raynes-
ford, who had witnessed this little episode
| from behind the curtains or her mlik-roOm
window. us Job Raynesford crazy! To
give ten dollars to poor, strolling vagrant!
If he don't get piece of nv mind"
And she fastened out, her cap border
fairly standing on end with horror. Job
awaited the coming tempest with philo-
sophie coolness, his hands in his pockets,
and hia lips parted in good natured
smile It was not the first piece OF Han
nah's mind" that had been bestowed upon
him, nor did be suppose 1t was likely to be
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 faculties
| for scolding of any woman ever saw"
The years fitted by, sprinkling the steep
| old farm house with crystal drops Of April
! showers, and thaching it with the dazzling
ermine OF January SHOWS, many and many
| q time. Gray hairs crept in among the
raven locks Of Farmer Raynesford, the care.
wora wriknles began to gather around his
mouth and brow. Alas! those swiftfooted
! years brought troubles innumerable to the
| kind old man.
Twenty yea1s!" mused he, one bright