The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-05-31
LOVE BEYOND rRICE,


OF help nothing was neglected. Farmer
Willette was won't to draw himself up
proudly and declare that although he
had but one man, his son Tom, and
himself to run the farm, no one in
Hillside could boast OF prettier place
or better-kept fowls and animals than
he.
In the old.fashioned farmhouse his
daughter Jeanne made the domestic
wheel revolve smoothly, while his gen
tie, delicate wife assisted in the lighter
duties. which Jeanne saw were even too
much Tor her feebleness.
And 80 their lives ran on in one dull,
monotonous routine, until an event oc.
curred which caused a sudden 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 visit. BE laughed at
Tom WilIette for plodding along on a
stupid farm when he might make a for
tune in the city. And Tom foolish
boy that he was ashamed to cnnfide
his intentions to his father, and leave
home in ali honest, straightforward
way, sneaked of 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 had gone to the city to seek his for
tune.
When the farmer heard OF tine fight
OF his son his wrath was fearful to be-
hold, and in the heat OF his anger no
swore that Tom should never enter his
door again; and he forbade any mention
OF his Logs 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
sympathizinR Jeanne.
Nine months passed wearlly 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 cooled, so he returned the
lotter, saying that lie 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 hopes
OF future greatness in his only son, and
no wonder the Woodworking farmer
found 1t difficult task to forgive Tom
for destroying his ambitious hopes, He
was not the man to complain to an
other of his mlsfortunes, and rs he
could not afford to hire another hand
on the farm, he worked harder than
ever.
His tall figure began to stoop, and
his iron-gray hair became snowy white.
He would go to the house at nieal-time,
but was hurried and silent, then out
again he would go, having barely
lasted morsel, and in answer to
Jeanie's anxious loook would say that
he had no time to eat; he had too much
to do.
That set Jeanne to thinking how she
could tighten bis 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 it was
comlcal sight to see the young glrl
with a torn straw hat, faded dress, and
with an old pair Of Toms stout boots
upon her feet, whip in hand behiHd the
pillow, urging the old horses on. But
Jeanne didn't care. Father had more
time TO rest, and she fancied he was
losing the hurried, care worn look thai
had settled upon his face since Tom had
run away.
As Tor Mrs. Willette, the anxiety and
care as TO how they should manage
through the coming winter, and the
ieverlsh longing tor her ron, toiC
greatly upon her already feeble frame
and one day Jeanne woke to the re
slltJ that her mother was dangerously
i'll,
Father" Jeanne said, stopping tn,
farmer as he WAS leaving the house
father, fear mother is sicker than W,
know"
"Whatl" shouted the farmer, mn.
needing JeanleB motion to be quiet
your mother Hlckf Why, you must .,
erssyt glrl She told me this murnln,
that she wasn't agoin to get up till afte
breakfast cause she felt tired like; bn
she isn't much sick, l reckon. else su,
would tolu me- and with few NOR,
words he hurried away, while Jean raj
up to her mothers room and bent owe
( the bed.
Mother, dear" she whispered, ten
derby, 'do you feel ill7 Can do any
thing for your"
They told me that my Tom had ru,
away, and 1t isn't true; | know it
not" muttered the Invalid, as sh
tossed restlessly about, while ever
now and lhen a moan broke from he
Ups.
Jean was very much frightened, 70
she could not understand how he
mother could have forgotten that Toll
had run away 30 long ago.
Mother" she cried, laying her COG
though hand hand upon her mother
Lurnlhg forehead, ''don't you kuo
mtf IL Is JeaL--your Jean, Obi whl
shall dU2" and with tears OF hell
lessness in her eyes she prayed fc
guldance, Almost Immediately
thought struck her.
Darling from the room and down IL
staiIs Jean entered the kitchen, an
kelzing the old dinner horn she blew
Repeatedly, then waited anxlously. Ye
her t'ther's voice was hsllooIng to he
Once more the hORrse tones OF tine hol
hoated down to her father at work
the pasture, and it was with a sense
relief that she saw him strlding rapid
toward the house,
What is it, Jean girlf" he aske
painting for breath, as he neared t
house. In few brief words she h
told him all, and bidding her run la,
to her mother, he hurried to the bar
AS Jesuie sat by the bedside Of b
mother she heard the clatter of Il
horses feet. Running to the wlndo,
she saw her iatherriding rapidly iowa
the village.
'WLele is To II Why don't SOL
ody bring him from the fielc1 [ mi
speak to him." cried Mrs. Willette.
cltedly. 'ls he dead2 John, John, y
must forgive bim-our boy-our d
one-Ch, Johnl"
Her last words would have mel
her husbands proud heart, could
have heard them; but he was lar aw
seeking the village physician whom
fortunately found inst stepDinp into