South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1885-04-24
AN INVEsTMENr.

vet slopes Of the Fairhaven farm
the river. murmprine softly over its
pebbly bottom. fAshed up like sheet
OF silver-and the purple fields OF clio.
yer. noddiug ready for the fcy,be, ILL
ed the warm air with slumbrous scents.
Fine weather for the haydn. said
Eliakim Fairhaven. To his material
nature, Gods sunshine aud grand
glitter of earth and sky were but the
instruments to fill lie pockets with sor-
did gain-mere accessions to "a. good
cropP Ala is not this world full
OF Eliaklm Fairhaveus, in one shape
or another?
Miss Comfort Fairhaven sat beside
him knitting aud watching the cum
bersome frolics fapair Of twin lambs
deserted by their heartless mother,
whom she was bringing up by hand.
Yes, she said. with a mechanical
glance in the direction of the beamy
West. Who's that -omin' up the
path wonder?'
'One ofthe new hands, I calculate,
SAID Eliakim, screwing up his eyes.
Il didn't agree to give 'em their sup
per and board into the bargain, night
afore the job begins-and I'm bless
ed If there amt little gal along with
him.
'Tain't no haydn hand said Miss
Comfort, rising and going down the
steps 10 meet slender child of nine
years old. who was leading pale,
bowed down man, who walked with
difficulty, leaning ON a crutch.
Heart alive, child said Miss Com
Tort, whose kindly nature involunta-
rlly sympathized with all no were
suffering or in distress 'what ala you,
and what do you want here!
please ma'am,' began the child,
eagerly, 'ifyou could give us nights
lodglng-poor papa is so sick aud ,ir-
ed, and
NO. 1 can',r abruptly broke in E.
liakim Fairhavcn. This amt no
almshouse, nor yet charity place. II
ye can pay your way we'll and good
If We Can't, the eooner you 60 about
your business the better
'We have no money t;midly be-
gan the child. while the nlau as if stun
ned and bewiidered by the heartless
iiuency OF the old farmers speech,
leaned up against the fence, pressing
his hand on his forehead, but
Then clear out. and be done with
itH said Eliakim, resumins his seat,
with logged composure.'
Miss Comfort looked appealingly
at her trother.
IF | could just get 'em a bowl of
milk, Eliakim, and
Stuff AMI nonsense sonorouslv
CALCULATED the farmer, q amt q goin
to give in to this sort of thing. Once
begin, aud you'll never leave off, you
soft beaded womanfolk =
Slowly and YEARLY the two travel
ers turned ard plodded their way
down the broad dusty road-the Ian
guild footsteps of the invalid SC rec
keeping up with the tripping pace of
the child.
oh. papa, papar sobbed the little
girl, turning her blue, wistful eyes to
the white, worn face, how cruel PEG.
pie arer
lie 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 loug,
as far as | am concerned. poor child.
l'ut tor you he stopped, his voice
husky with emotion.
They had walked what seemed TO
little Esther Bell q weary way. when
there was rustic among the wild rose
bushes that overbung the stone wall
at their side, and voice called bnr-
riedly to them TO 'stopP
It's me- said Miss Comfort Fair.
haven, reckless of her grammar. e.
liakim-that's my brother-he's gone
over to the class meetin' at Squire
Dundas, and | cut down through lots
to overtake you. / tell you | can't
somehow get your fathers face out o.
my mind. You're sick, amt you
mister p
Il shall be soon quite well, ne an.
swered calmly and Comfort Fairba-
ven's more experienced ere detected
the hidden meaning which the little
girl never suspected. Yes, he would
soon be we'll, but it would be in that
fair country where the inhabitants
never say, Il am sick
Where are you gong 2 asked kind
Miss Comfort, her voice growing hus-
ky in spite of herself.
I'VE are going to my gran dpa, said
little Essie. Grandpa was vexed with
my 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 stay,
too
Aud she resoluteIy tightened her
grasp upoh the thin, fever burn ng
hand.
Il s'pose you want to get to Ions
dale p said Miss Comfort
The man nodded
Is it far 2
Eleven good miles yet, said Miss
Comfort lint I'll fell Va What T'U