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

y
far to go 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 hysterical ex-
citement, did not hear the rumble of ad-
vancing wheels until they passed close
to her and rough, hearty voice ex-
claimed:
"What ails the little girl? 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 Il friend, and made answer prompt
ly:
Not sick, sir, but very tired. We
have walked long way"
SCOT 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"
: Il know it, said the woman with a
sigh, ''but l 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 a thump with his whip-handle
that made old Bonney drop the mouth
full of clover he was nibbling from the
roadside and prick up his ears in aston
ishment.
Il won't hear to no such thingr' 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
he uttered, as he lifted the little girl to
his side, and extended his hand to the
mother; .'but 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 interiectional remarks to his horse,
while Mrs. Ellsworth drew her thin shawl
around the little golden head that al
ready dropped drowsily upon her should
er, and thought with deep sensation
of gratitude upon the shelter Heaven had
provided her in her sorest strait.
: It was an odd-shaped old farmhouse,
gray with the storms OF nearly hall a
century, with a broad door in one end,
overhung by giant lilac bushes, and
kitchen where even in the bloomy month
of June a 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 Il post, and
went in to conciliate his domestic deS-
pot.
''Look here, Hannah" said he, to a
tall, angular looking female who emerg-
ed from a pantry near by, her face near
ly or quite as sour as the saucer of pick
les she was carrying. "Jest set couple
more plates ON the table, will you? I've
brought home woman and a little gal
l found piece below, cen almost tired
to death. They was calculatin' to walk
on to Breckton, but thought it wouldn't t
hurt us to keep 'em over night.
''I'm astOnished at you, Job Raynes-
ford" said his better half, in a tone of
indignant remonstrance. 1--WE might
just as we'll hang out a 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. 'Taint Scrip
tur 'taint human natur'." ;"
"Well 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 a 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" saidhe,
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 hel
ewes, there would be less want and suf-
fering, by far
Farmer Raynesford pretended not tC
hear; he was busy lifting little Mary
out.
.'Set on them blackberries, Hannah, u
said he, toward the close of their even
ing meal; 1.-The little gals so tired she
can't eat nothin' solid.'
II was calculating to keep the black
berries for the donation party to-mor
row." said Mrs. Raynesford, rising witt
rather an unwilling air.
'*Nonsense." quoth the farmer, with {
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 mother
and her large blue eyes fixed earnestly
upon the kind farmers face.
What are you thinking about dear
est?'' asked Mrs. Ellsworth once. Sh'
threw long sigh and whispered: .
.Oh, mamma, he is SO kind to us!'
When Mary Ellsworth and her littl
girl set out next morning upon their Ions
walk to Breckton, Job Raynesford wen
with them to the gate, fumbling uneasi
ly in his pocket and glancing guiltil.,
around to make sure that Hannah wa
not within seeing distance. When Mar.
extended her hand to say good by, to he