Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-01-06
ARTHUR
BORN AUGUST I'D 1851.
- was u strang er aud ye COX IA in.


Farmer Williams made some in
quirles IN the ueighborhood, and
learned that Il lady with an infant,
accompanied by servant, had been
stopping for week past at the viii
lage tavern; hat she was very beau
tiful, but pale and sad, and kept her
room most Of the time. But they
had disappeared as suddenly as they
came.
1t is just ten years from the time
that Mrs. Williams received her
New Years gift. Let US take an
other peep into the kitchen Of the
Red Stone Farmhouse. The group
is smaller now than then. The far
mer who murmured ten years ago
| that he had too many mouths to
feed. has now only one child left
him-the little flaxen haired girl that
is sitting beside his knee. The rest
are all sleeping in the little church
yard. A heavy misfortune has be i.
fallen him; the thirst for riches has
brought its usual curse. Possessed
with the mania for speculation, he
mortgaged the farmhouse and all it
contained. The gilded bubble burst
and the dawning of the New Year
found him a ruined and homeless
man. This was the last night he
and his wife were to remain in the
old homestead that had been in his
family for four generations, and
was linked to his by 80 many tender
memories. On the morrow they
were to go they hardly knew whith-
Ell. 1t is true, many of the old
neighbors good souls-had
offered him temporary home; but
1T was hard for that self-reliant man
to accept charity from any.
what can we do? Where can
we 60 he groaued, as he thought of
the morrow.
"The Lord will provide, John"
said his wife, lifting her sad, patient
eyes to his. "He has never forsaken
us. Neither Will He ever forsake
one who trusts Him."
But the father lacked the Chris
tian resignation that made the gen
tie heart of his wife such heaven
of peace and love.
Aye, that's what you have al
ways said, wife," he relorted, impa-
tiently, "and you see what we've
come to. For my part, | don't
think the Lord troubles himself
much about us, anyway ?"
Mrs. Williams might have said
that he had brought his misfortune
upon himself, but she wisely fore
bore. Just then there came the
sound of quick, buoyant step, and
aud there burst into the room fine,
sturdy lad of about ten, lis eyes
bright and his cheeks glowing from
the keen frosty air
Its bitter cold, tell you 7" he
exclaimed, flinging his cap, boy fash
ion upon the settee, and stepping up
to the kitchen fire.
mot but what I've been warm as
toast, all but my ears and fingers"
he added, blowing upon the latter as
he spoke.
Here is something for you,
mother" he said, seating himself on
a stool at her feet, and tossing into
her lap shining piece of gold.
"Why Arthur, where did you get
this 2"
"The strange gentleman down at
the hotel gave it to me, mother. He
asked me into his room, and gave
me as many nuts and raisins as |
could eat BESIDES
81 wonder who he is ?n she said
musingly.
II can tell you," exclaimed her
husband, his eyes flashing angrily.
HE is the owner of Red Stone
Farmhouse lie is the man who
bid against me on the few articles |
wanted TO reserve. The curse of the
homeless rest upon him."
NAY, john" interposed his wife,
gently; ''perhaps he did not know
how highly you priced them