The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-22
AN INVESTMENT.


radiant pennons over the velvet slopes Of
the Fairhaven farm the river, murmurine
softly over its pebbly lotion, flashed up
like sheet Of silyer-and tho purple fields
of clover, nodding ready for the scythe,
filed the warm air with slumbrous scents.
"Fine weather for the haydn, said Eha-
kim Fairhaven. To bis 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 ga good CROP" Alas is not
this world full of Eliakim Fairhavens, in
one shape or another?
Miss Comfort Fairhaven sat beside him.
knitting and watching the cumbersome
frolics of pair of twin lambs, deserted by
their lheartless mother, whom she was
'sbriDging up by hand"
ssies," she said, with mechanical glance
in the direction of the beamy west. ssWho
is that a comm up the path. wonder?'
Gone of the new hands, calculate, said
Eliakim, screwing up his eyes. 81 didn't
gree to give 'em their supper and board
into the bargain, night afore the job be-
gins and I'm blessed if there amt little
gal along with him p
sTain't no haydn hand, said Miss Com
fort, rising and going down the steps to
meet slender child of nine years old who
was leading pale, bowed down man, who
walked WIN diincuity, leaning on crutch.
Heart alive, child !" said Miss Comfort,
whose kindly nature sympath-
Yea Win an VINO were suffering or in dis
tress; what ais you! and what do you
want mere
PLEASE ma'am, began the child, eagerly,
N you could give us nights lodging
poor papa Is SO SICK and tired, and -
mo, can't + abruptly broke in Eliakin.
Fairnaven- Inls amt no almshouse, nor
yet charity place. If We can pay your
way, well and good-if you can't, the
sooner you get about your business the bet
ter.
I'VE have no money" timidly began the
enid, while the man as If stunned and be-
wildered by the heartless fuency of the old
farmers speech, leaned up against the
fence, pressing his hand on his forehead,
'but -
Then clear out and be done with it !"
said Eliakim, resuming his seat with logged
composure.
Miss Comfort looked appealingly at her
brother.
IF | could just get 'em bowl of milk,
Eliakim, and -
sStuff and nonsense !" sonorously ejacu-
lated the farmer, 81 amt goin' to give in
to this sort of thing. Once begin, and you
will never leave off, you soft-headed woman
folk !"
Slowly and YEARLY the two travellers turn
ed and plodded their way down 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, chow cruel people arei'
He placed his hand upon her curly, un-
covered head.
''Never mind, Essie," he said, with
mournful, tender pathos Ill his voice; sit
will soon end. 1t can not be for long, -
far as 1 am concerned, poor child. not 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 weary way, when there was a
rustic among the wild rose bushes that
overhung the stone wall ct their side, and
voice called hurrlediy to them to stop.
tits me, said Miss Comfort Fairhaven,
reckless of her grammar. "Eliakim- that's
my brother-he's gone over to the class
meetin' at Squire Dundas, and I cut down
through lots to overtake you. tell you
cant somehow get your fathers face out o.
my mind. You're sick, amt you, mister?"
81 shall soon be quite well, he answered
calmly-and Comfort Fairhaven's more ex-
perienced eye detected the hidden meaning
which the little girl never once suspected.
Yes, ne would soon be well, but that it
would be In that country where the inhabi-
tants never say, 81 am sick r.
where are you going ?" asked kind Miss
Comfort, her voice growing husky in spite
OF nerseir.
1--WE are going to my grandpa. +" said little
Essie. "Grandpa was yexed with mamma
for marrying papa and going to England,
but papa thinks he'll take care of me now.
But won't stay with him unless papa stays
900
And she resolutely frightened her grasp on
the thin, fever burning hand.
II s'spose you want to get to Lonsdade ?"
said Miss Comfort.
lis it far ?"
Eleven good miles yet, said Miss Com
fort; "but Ill tell We what-I'll make Joab
get out the wagon, and with good buffalo
robe over the seats you'll ride easy enough.
They'll be back afore Eliakim gets through,
and while you're waitin I'll bring down
snack o bread and meat and bottle Of my
current wine. Tain't good to travel on an
empty stomach"
AND nve minutes later Miss Comfort was
carrying her hospitable intentions into
effect, greatly to the delight and apprecia-
ton OF the hungry chilu,
NOW, see here" said Miss Comfort,
drawing the child aside, when Joab drove
up with the comfortable farm wagon and
stout St out old horse, Il don't guess you've got