Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-04-10
AN INVESTMENT.

its radiant pennons over the velvet
slopes of the Fairhaven farm-tEe river,
murmuring softly over its pebbly bot
tom, flashed up like sheet OF silver
and the purple fields of aloyer, nodding
ready for the scythe, filled the warm air
with slumbrous scents.
"Fise weather for the hayin'," said
Eliakim Fairhuven. To his material
nature, Gods sunshine and grand gilt
ter of earth and sky were but the in
struments to fill his pockets with sordid
gain-mere accessions TO "a 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 cumber-
some frolics OF pair of twin lambs de-
serted by their heartless mother, whom
she was bringing up by hand.
Yes" she said, with mechanical
glance in the direction of the beamy
West. who's that comm up the
path | wonder?"
Zone of the new hands, | calculate,
said Eliakim, sclewing up his eyes. Il
didn't agree to give 'em their supper
and board into the bargain, night
afore the job begins-and I'm blessed II
there ANITA little gal along with hin J.
'"Tain't no hayin' hand" said Miss
Comfort. rising and going down the
steps TO meet a slender child of nine
wears old, who was leading pale, bow
ed down man, who walked with diff
Guilty, leaning on crutch.
"Heart alive, child" said Miss Com
fort, whose kindly nature inyOluntarily
sympathized with all who were suffer
ing or in distress; "what ails you, and
what do you want here!"
"Please ma'am," began the child, ca"
gerly, "if you could give us nights
lodging-poor papa is so sick and tired,
and"
"No, can't!" abruptly broke in Eli
AKIN Fairhaven. "This amt no aims
house, nor yet 4 charity place. lfye
can pay your way well and good-if ye
cam. the sooner you go about your
business the better"
"we have no money" timidly began
the child, while the man as II stunned
and bewildered by the heartless fluency
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,"
sail Eliakim, resuming his seat, with
dogged compOsure.
Miss Comfort looked appeaIingly ut
her brother.
.'If could just get 'em bowl of
milk, Eliakim, and"
"Stuff and nonsense" sonorously
calculated the farmer, 81 amt Il goin'
to give in to this sort Of thing. Once
begin, and you'll never leave of, you
soft headed womanfolkw ~
Slowly aud wearily the two travellers
turned aud 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, papaw sobbed the little
girl, turning her blue, wistful eyes TO
the white, worn face, chow cruel peo-
pie are!"
He placed his hand upon her curly,
uncovered head.
Never mind, Essie," he said, with
mournful, tender pathos in his voice,
"it will soon end. 1t cannot last long,
as far As / am concerned, poor child.
But for you" he stopped, his voice
husky with emotion.
They had walked what seemed 10 lit
tie Esther Bell a weary way, when
there WAS rustic among the wild rose
bushes that ovefhung the stone wall al
/ their side, and voice called hurriedly
TO them TO "stop!'
.'It's me- said Miss Comfort Fair.
haven, reckless of her grammar. ELLA
kim-that's my brother-he's gone ovel
to the class meetin' at Squire. Dundas