Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-12-06
INVESTMENT.

y -
hung lis radient pennons over the
velvet slopes of the Fairhaven
iarIn-the river, murmuring softly
over its pebbly bottom, flashed up
like q sheet of silver-and the pur-
pie fields OF clover. nodding ready
for the scythe. flied the warm air
with sweet slumbrous scents.
"Fine weather for hayin'," said
Eliakim Fairhaven 10 his material
nature. Gods sunshine and the
grand glitter of earth and sky.
were but the instruments to fill his
pockets with sordid gain-mere ac-
cessions to a ''good CROP" Alas J
Is not this world full OF Eliakim
Fairhaven, i'm one shape or ranOther?
Miss Comfort Fairhaven sat be-
side him knitting and watching the
cumbersome frOiics of a pair OF
twin lambs, deserted by their
heartIess mother, whom she was
"bringing up by hand" f
"Yes," she said, with a lnechan-
icai glance in the direction of the
beamy west. 'Who's that a COM
in' up the path, L wonder ?'i
"One of the new hands, l calcu-
late," said Eliskin, screwing up
his eyes. ST didn't gree to give
'em their supper and board into
the bargain, night. afOre the bar
gain begins-and I'm blessed il
there amt a little gal along with.
him I"
'Tain't no hayin' hand" said
Miss Comfort, rising aud going
down the steps to meet a
slender child of nine years old, who
was leading q pale bowed-down
man, who walked with difficulty,
leaning on u crutch.
"Heart alive, chIldi" said Miss
Comfort, whose kindly nature in
voluntarily sympathiZed with all
who were suffering or in distress
"what ails you? and what do you
want here?"
"Please, ma'am," began the
child, eagerly, "if you could give
us a nights lodging-poor papa is
so sick and tired, and"
"No, can't ~ abruptly broke in
Eiiakim Fairhaven. "rhis ain't
no almshouse, nor yet charity
place.. II ye can pay your way,
well and good-if ye can't, the
sooner you 60 about your business
the better !"
"We have no money!" timidly
began the child, while the man, as
IL stunned and bewildered by the
heartless fiuency OF the old far
mer's speech, leaned up against the
fence, pressing his hand on his fore
head, "but-"
"Then clear out and be done
with it! said Eliaklm, resuming
his seat with dogged composure.
Miss Comfort looked appealingly
at her brother.
sIf / could just get 'em bowl of
milk. Eliakim, and"
''Stuff and nonsense" scnorously
calculated the farmer. 81 amt a
gOin' to give in to this sort of thing.
Once begin and you'll never leave
off, you softheaded wOmanfolk 20.
Slowly and wearily the two poor
travellers turned and plodded their
way adown the broad, dusty road
the languid footsteps of the invalid
scarce keeping up with the tripping
pace of the child.
"Oh, papa, papa ~ sobbed the
little girl, turning her blue, wistful
eyes TO the white, worn face, show
cruel people are!"
He placed his hand upon her cur
ly, uncovered head.
"Never mind, Essie," he said,
with a mournful, tender pathos in
his voice; sit will soon end. Ii
can not be for long, as far as am
concerned, poor child. :. But for
you-' he stopped, his voice husky
with emotion.
They had walked what seemed to
little Esther Bell a weary way,
when there was rustic among the
wild rose bushes that overhung the
stone wall at their side aud a voice
called hurriedly to them to "st0p."
"It's me-" said Miss Comfort
Fairhaven, reckless of her gram
mar. "Eliakiin-that's my broth
er-he's gone over to tho cIsss-meet-
in at Squire Dundas', and cut
down through lots to Overtake you.
I tell you can't somehow get your
fathers face out o. my mind. You're
sick, amt you, mister ?"
"I shall soon be quite WE'LL" he
calmly-and Comfort |
FaIrhaven's more experienced eye
detected the hidden meaning which |
the little girl never once suspected.
Yes, he would soon be well, but ii |
would be in that country where
the inhabitants never say, ~ am
sick %
"Where are you going ?" asked |
kind Miss Comfort, her voice grow
ing husky in spite of herself.
1--WE are going to my grandpapa,"
said little Essie. "Grandpapa was
vexed with my mamma for marry
ing papa and going TO England, but |
pap thinks he'll take care of me |
now! But / won't stay with him
unless papa stays too !"
And she resolutely frightened her
grasp upon the thin, fevef-burning
hand.
ST s'pose you want 10 get to Louis
dale ?" said Miss Comfort.
The man nodded.
"Is 1t far ?'
"Eleven good miles yet," said
Miss Comfort; "but I'll tell we
Hhat-I'll make Joab get out the
wagon, and with good buffalO-
robe over the seats, you'll ride easy
They'll be back afore
Eliakim gets through shoutin' and
hain't no patience with
that kind o. religiOn--and while
you're a-waitin', I'll bring down a
smack o. bread and meat, and a
bottle of my currant wine. 'Tain't
good to travel on an empty stOm-
aeh."
And five minutes later Miss Conn
Tort was carrying her hospitable in
tentiOns into effect, greatly to the
delight and appreciation of the
hungry child.
"Eow, see here" said Miss Com
Fort, drawing the child aside, when
Joab drove up with the comfortable
farm wagon and stout old horse, 81
lon't guess you've got more money |
han you can use 2'' @
1--WE have only enough for our
tickets," said Essie, her
falling, "but-" =, -
81 thought so," said Miss Com
Iort ''and here's a FIVE dollar bill
I've laid aside out of my butter
money that EIiakim don't know
nothin' about. I'd laid it out to
have a new mouse colored merino
lress this fall, but guess you need
It more'n do I; SO here tia. and
mind you, DON'T lose It,
The child's eyes were brimming
As she looked up in Miss Comforts