Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-08-15

for The. life that made his own so bright.
! Mrs. Reynolds Wis to experience her
share of astonlshment during her holiday
and it commenced by the apparition OF
John the second day in suit of han dsome
clothes that we'll became his manly figure.
There was no foppery, but he looked a
gentleman, though he made more than
one grlmace. before he got, as be said,
well shaken into store clothes"
Can describe that week What was
new to John was old, familiar ground to
Lima. Central Park was not soon exhaust
ed. and the little guide grew stronger and
easier every day, in Johns thoughtful
care, that provided plenty of pleasant ex-
element, but guarded against fatigue.
1t was early in the afternoon of sunny
day when the train drew up at the Scott
field station, and John handed his won.
dering wife into neat little one-horse
carriage waiting for them.
"a new purchase, dear !" he explained.
"We are to take drive every afternoon.
DR.. Greyson prescribes it,
The house was where it had always
been, but Lima rubbed her eyes and won
dered if she had been suddenly carried
into fairy land.
The dull little sitting-room had been
papered, carpeted, curtained and trans
posed into cosy dIning-room. The stiff
parIor was a very bower of beauty, with a
fine piano, the daintiest of furniture, soft
muslin curtains, and carpet covered with
bouquets of exquisite flowers; the bed
rooms were carpeted brightly, and re-
joiced in cottage sets, and in the kitchen
the most good -natured of stout German
girls fairly shed tears when Lima address,
ed her in her own language.
'But. John !" she cried, sthe Stanley
farm ?''
els sold. dear. You were right: we
will make this home so lovely the Stanley
farm will never cost me a sigh. Dr. Grey
son and his wife took all the trouble here,
and | have hired two new hands, 80 as to
have a little more leisure.''
"But, John,' the little wife said, earn
estly, II do not want you to think I am a
fine lady, doll to wear fine clothes and
live IN ldleness. 1 want to be truly
helpmeet to you.''
$50 you will be, Lima. God meant no
one to be drone in the busy hive of the
world. You are not strong, but you will
find plenty to keep you busy in superin-
tending the indoor arrangements and di-
recting Gretchen. And in our drives, love,
we will see If we cannot find some poorer
than ourselves to comfort and aid. That
will be my thank Offering for your life, INV
little wife,"
The neighbors stared and Wondered
Comments upon Johns folly and impro-
violence fell from many lips, and old men,
shaking their heads, prophesied ruin for
the Reynolds farm.
But John was as much astonished as
any of them, after few years, he found
the farm yielding him larger income
than ever before.
II do believe, Lima" he said one day to
a matronly little woman. who was dress
ing Growing baby. that your flower
garden last year was worth thousand
dollars to me-"
"John!"
Zone book after another crept into the
house, and the time 1 thought would be
wasted, taken from farm work, was spent
in reading. ''Now, look at the labor-sav-
ing machines 1 have bought! See the new
stockl My orchard is going to be the best
in the county, too"
''And my poultry-yard, John! 1t was
the papers and magazines that first gave
me the idea OF model poultry yard
What fun we had, John, getting it star
ted!.'
'Yes, indeed. That New York trip was
the best investment ever made Lima. 1
saw so many things there that recognized
as old friends. when met them again in
print, the threshing machines. the rotary
barrow, the improved plows."
"And," said Mrs. Reynolds, mischiev-
ously, "the watch, the sewing machine,
tie corals for Johnnie!'
"Come, are you ready for your driver"
"As soon as put on my hat and get
the basket of things for Mrs. Goodwin"
ut beats me, John" said his uncle, one
day, "where you find so much money for
tomfoolery, new tangled nonsense and
fallals for Lima, and yet give so much in
charity. thought you we're crazy to buy
the Stanley farm"
II was once, but have something bet
ter now than the Stanley farm. have
learned how to manage my antelope"
"What?"
But to this day John has never explain
ed the riddle to his puzzled relative.