The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-08-26
A GOOD INVESTMENT.

Ahp gNliOW nuLt VI midsummer nunu
It's radiant pennons over the velvet slopes
pt the Fairhayen farm; the river, muir
Tlurlng softly over its pebbly bottom,
iiashed up like sheet of silver, and the
purple fields of clover nodding ready for
the scythe, filed the warm air with sweet.
slumberous scents.
Fine weather for the hayin'," said
Eliakim Fairhaven. To his material
nature Gods sunshine and the grand
glitter of earth and sky were but the in
struments to fill his pockets with sordid
gain-mere accessions to "a good CROP
Alasl is not this world full of Eliakim
Fairhavens in one shape or another?
Miss Comfort Fairhaven sat beside him
knitting and watching the cumbersome
ffolics of pair 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 a-coming up the
path, wonder2"
Zone 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 begins-and I'm blessed if there amt
q little gal along with himm
"'Tain't no hayin' hand" said Miss
Comfort, rising and going down the
steps to meet slender child of nine years
old, who was leading pale, bowed down
man, who walked with difficulty, leaning
on q crutch.
''Heart alive, child" said Miss Com
fort, whose kindly nature involuntarilv
sympathized with all who were suffering
or In distress; what ails you, and what
do you want here2"
"Please, ma'am,n began the child,
eagerly, 'if you could give us q nights
lodging-poor papa is so sick aud tired,
and
mo, can't!' abruptly broke in Ella
kim Fairhaven. "This amt no aims
house, nor yet charity place. If We can
pay your way, we'll and good; if ye
can't, the sooner you go about your bust
ness the betterw
1--WE have no money" timidly began
the child, while the man, as if stunned
and bewildered by the heartless fiuency
of the old farmers speech, leaned up
against the fence, pressing his hand on
his forehead, 'but--"
"Then clear out and be done with itp'
said Eliakim, resuming his seat with
dogged composure.
Miss Comfort looked appealingly at
her brother.
'1f l could just get 'em bowl Of
milk, Eliakim, and"
'Stuif and nonsense, > sonorously ciac-
ulated the farmer; II amt a goin' to
give in TO this sort of thing. Once be-
gin, and you'll never leave off, you soft
headed womanfolkI'
Slowly and wearily the two poor
travellers turned and plodded their way
adown the broad, dusty road, the Ian
guild footsteps of the invalid scarce keep
ing up with the tripping pace of the
child.
"Oh, papa, papa" sobbed the little
girl, turning her blue, wistful eye to the
white, worn face, how cruel people
areI"
He placed his hand upon her curly
uncovered head.
''Never mind, Essie, - he said, with a
mournful, tender pathos in his voice
lit will soon end. 1t cannot be for
long, as far as l am concerned, poor
child. But for you" lie stopped,
his voice husky with emotion.
They had walked what seemed to
little Esther Bell n weary way, when
there was a rustic among the wild rose
bushes that overhung the stone wall at
their side, and voice called hurriedly
to them to stop"
ats me-" said Miss Comfort Fair
haven, reckless of her grammar. "Elia-
kim-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, mister2"
81 shall soon be quite welln he au-
swered calmly, and Comfort Fair
haven's more experienced eye detected