The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-19

Set on them Dlackoerrles, HAN
nah said he, toward the close of
their evening meal; "the little gals
so tired out she can't eat nothing
solid" !.
Il was calculating to keep the
, blackberries for the donation party
Tomorrow" said Mrs. Raynesford,
rising with rather an unwilling air.
Nonsense" quoth the farmer,
with a broad laugh, I'm having a
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 farm
ers face.
What are YOU thinking about,
dearest?" asked Mrs. Ellsworth once.
She drew a long sigh and whispered:
-Oh, mamma, he is so kind to
u.s."
When Mary Ellsworth and her
little one set out next morning on
their long walk to Breckton, job
Raynesford went with them to the
gate, fumbling uneasily in his pocket
and glancing guiltily around to make
sure that Hannah was not within
seeing distance. When Mary ex-
tended her hand to saw good bve. to
her astonishment a bank bill was
thrust into it.
Don't say nothih'," muttered
Job, with a sheepish air. Ten dol
lars amt much TO me, and if YOU
don't chance TO get work iii the fac
tory right away it may be a gooG
deal of use to you. Needn't thank
me-you're as welcome as the flow
ers in May"
He bent over TO kiss the child's
fair forehead, and stood watching
them until the two slight figures dis
appeared, and only the golden sky
and moving crests of summer woods
remained.
"Ten dollars p calculated Mrs.
Raynesford, who had witnessed this
little episode from behind the cur
taias of her milk room window
Is Job Raynesiord crazy? To give
ten dollars to poor, strolling va
grant, If he don't get piece OF my
mind"
And she has,ened out, her cap
border fairly standing on end with
horror. Job waited the coming
tempest with philosophical GOODNESS,
his hands in his pockets, and his |
lips parted in good natured smile.
1t was not the first piece OF Han
nah's mind that had been bestow-
ed upon him, nor did he suppose it
was likely to be the last
she means well, he said to him |
self, when the volley of wrath had |
been discharged on his luckless head, !
and Mrs. Raynesford had returned to |
her butter making, but she's got
the greatest faculty for scolding of
any woman | ever saw"
The years fitted, sprinkling the
steep old farm house with crystal
drops of April showers, and thatch- |
ing it with the dazzling ermine of
January SHOWS, many and many
time Gray hairs crept in among
the raven locks of Farmer Raynes-
ford, the care-worn wrinkles began
to gather around his mouth and
brow. Alas those swift-footed years
brought troubles innumerable to the
kind old man.
Twenty years." he unused, one
bright June morning, 1t don't seem
possible, Hannah, that it was twenty
years ago this very day that caught
that ugly fall from the hay rack, and
got lame for life"
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 toss
ing corn to q iorlorn little colony of
chickens. Twenty years had not I'M
proved her in any respect-she was
gauntier, bonier and more vinegar
faced than ever.
Yes" said she slowly, 'and per-
haps you don't remember that it :
was Just twenty years ago to-day ;
that you threw $40 away On that
woman and her child. 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 re-
pent it?"
Il 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. | {
never for q minute repented being
kind to the widow and the father +.
less" |.
Hannah shrugged her shoulders,
but made no reply.
Didn't YOU say you were going
up to see the rich lawyer about five
thousand dollars today she asked
presently.
Yes, but don't suppose it'll be
much use. If he'd wait little, I'd
do my best TO please him. Jones
SAYS hell oe sure TO osell the old place
over our heads, however; they tell j
me he's hard man. | mean to ex-
plain to him just how the matter
stands
Il told you how it would be long
ago." exclaimed Hannah, unable to |
restrain her vexation. What on
earth ever possessed you to sign for
Jesse Fairweather?'
Il s'posed he was an honest man, +,
and / wouldn't see an old friend
wronged. " y
.Fiddlesticksl" exclaimed Mrs. /
Raynesford. That's just your cal
culation. Job. There, Zeke has [
brought the wagon; DO start off, or
you will be too late fer the York I
train" =
And Job meekly obeyed, only too I
happy to escape from the endless dis J
cord of his wife's rolling tongue.
The rays of the noondav sun I
streamed brightly through the stain I
ed glass easements Of Mr. Ever ,