Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-06-14
Love Beyond Price
LOUISE d. MITCHELL.

model Of neatness and thriftine
Never did the neighbors find brok-
en- fence rail or an untrimmed hedge
for in spite of the poverty of it's own
er and the want of help nothing was
neglected. Farmer Willette was
wont to draw himself up proudly and
declare that although he had but one
man, his son lob and himself to run
the farm, no one in Hillside could
boast of a prettier place or better
kept fowls and animals than he.
In the old-fashioned farm house
his daughter jeanne made the domes-
tic wheel revolve smoothly, while his
gentle, delicate wife assisted in the
lighter duties, which jeanne saw were
even too much for her feebleness.
And so their lives ran on in one
dull, monotonous routine, until an
event occurred which caused sud-
den turn in affairs.
Will Avery, the son of the richest
man in Hillside came down from the
city, where he had been working, to
his former home on a visit. He
laughed at Tom Willette for plod-
ding along on stupid farm when
he might make fortune in the city.
And Tom foolish boy that he was)
ashamed to confide his intentions to
his father and leave home in an hon.
est, straightforward manner, sneak
ed off in the dead of night, leaving
a note which Jeanne found upon his
pin cushion, to tell his parents that
he was tired of hard country work.
and bad gone to the city to seek his
fortune. 49, IS
When the farmer heard of the
flight of his son his wrath was fear
full to behold, and in the heat of his
anger he swore that Tom should new
er enter his door again, and he for
babe any mention of his boys name
by either wife or daughter.
They obeyed him, and only when
in the solitude of her own room did
Mrs. Willette speak of her absent
boy to the:sympathizing jeanne.
Nine months passed YEARLY by,
and only once did they hear from
Tom, who sent letter to his proud
father to crave his forgiveness; but
the fathers anger had not yet cool
ed, so he returned the letter, saying
that he had no son, and he never
wished to hear from the boy who
once occupied that place in his home
and affections
Poor mani He had placed all his
hopes of future greatness in his only
son, and no wonder the hard work
ing farmer found it difficult task
to forgive Tom for destroying his
ambitious plans. He was not the
man to complain to another of his
misfortunes, and as he could not af-
ford to hire another hand on the
farm, he worked harder than ever.
His tall figure began to stoop, and
his iron grey hair became snowy
white. He would 60 to the house at
meal-time, but was hurried and 81
lent, then out again he would go,
having barely tasted morsel and in
answer to Jeanie:s anxious look he
would say that he had no time to eat;
he had too much to do. 2sssAas<
That set Jeanie to thinking how
she could tighten his cares, and she
finally concluded to hurry over her
own work and then take Toms
place upon the farm as far as she was
able; and itwas comical sight to
see the young girl with torn straw
hat, faded dress, and with an old
pair of Toms stout boots upon her
feet, whip in hand behind the pillow,
urging the old horses on. But Jea-
ME didn't care. Father had more
time to rest, and she fancied he was
losing the hurried worn look
that had settled upon his face since
Tom had run away.
As for Mrs. Willette, the anxiety
and care as to how they should man
age through the coming winter, and
the feverish longing for her son, told
greatly upon her already enfeebled
frame, and one day Jeanne woke to
the reality that her mother was dan
gerously ill.
s'Father, "Jeanie said stopping the
farmer as he was leaving the house,
''father, / fear mother is sicker than
we know"
sWhat I" shouted the father, uu-
q