The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-03-12
A GOOD INVESTMENT.
Miss Fairhaven Casts Her Bread
Upon the Waters"

Upon the Waters"
The yellow haze of midsummer hung
its radiant pennons over the velve
slopes of the Fairhavcn farm; the river
murmuring softly over its pebhly bot
tom, flashed up like a sheet of silver
and the purple fields of clover noddinl
ready for the scythe filled the air viii
sweet. slumberous scents.
'.Fine weather for the haydn" said
Eliakim Fairhaven. To his material
nature Gods sunshine and the grand
glitter of earth and sky were but the
instruments to fill his pockets with
sordid gain-mere accessions to ga good
CROP Alas! is not this world full Of
Eliakim Fairhavens in one shape OF
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. Eyes, -
she said, with a mechanical glance in
the direction of the beamy west, "Who's
that a-comin' up the path, l wonder?''
lone of the new hands, 1 calculate, +"
said Eliakim, screwing up his eyes. 81
didn't gree to give 'em their supper
and board into the bargain a night be-
fore the job begins-and I'm blessed if
there amt little gal along with himr'
faint no haydn hand" said Miss
Comfort, rising and going down the
steps to meet a slender child of nine
years old, who was leading a pale,
touchdown man, who walked with
difficulty, leaning on a crutch.
Heart alive, child" said Miss Com
fort, whose kindly nature involuntarily
sympathized with all who were suffering
or in distress; ''what ails you, and what
do you want here?"
please, ma'am," began the child,
eagerly, ''if you could give US nights
lodging-poor papa is SO sick and tired,
and"
mo, I can't!'' abruptly spoke in
Eliakim Falrhaven. This amt no
almshouse, nor yet charity place. If
We can pay your way, well and good;
if We can't, the sooner you go about
your business the better!'
I'VE have no money!" timidly began
the child. while the man, as if 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!n'
said Eliakim, resuming his seat with
logged composure.
Miss Comfort looked appealing at her
brother. IF L could Just get 'em a
bowl of milk; Eliakim, and"
stuff and nonsense" generously
calculated the farmer; Il amt a-goin'
to give in to that sort of thing. Once
begin. and you'll never leave off, you
soft-headed wOmanfolk!'
Slowly and YEARLY the two poor
travellers turned and plodded their way
adown the broad. dusty road. the Ian
guild footsteps of the invalid scarce
keeping up with the tripping pace of
the child. 20 papa, papa" sobbed the
little girl, turning her blue, wistful eyes
to the white, worn face, show cruel
people are!'
He placed his hand upon her curly.
uncovered head. Never mind. Essie."
he said. with mournful, tender pathos
in his voice; it win soon end. II can
not be for long, as far as l am con-
cerned, poor child! But for you"
He stopped, his voice husky with emo
ton.
They had walked what seemed to lit
tie Esther weary way, when there was
a rustic among the wild rose-bushes
that overhung the stone wall at their
side. and a voice called hurriedly to
them to ..stop!'
its me-" said Miss Comfort Fair
haven. reckless of her grammar.
"Eliakim-that's my brother gone
over to the class-meetin' at Squire
Dunda's, and l cut down through lots to
overtake you. l tell you can't some
how get your fathers face out O. my
mind. You're sick, amt you. mister?''
Il shall soon be quite WE'LL" he ans
wered calmly, and Comfort Fairhaven's
more experienced eye detected the hid
den meaning which the little girl never
once suspected. Yes, he would soon be
well, but it would be in that country
where the inhabitants never say Il am
sick"
Where are you going?'' asked kind
Miss Comfort, her voice growing husky
in spite of herself.
I'VE are going to my grandpapa,"
said little Essio. .'Grandpapa 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 stays
too"
And she resolutely frightened her
grasp upon the thin, fever-burning
hand.
Il s'pose you want to get to Ions
daie?" said Miss Comfort.
The man nodded.
'.Is it far?'
s.Eleven good miles yet" said Miss
Comfort; ''but I'll tell you wkat-I'll
make Joab get out the wagon, and
with a good buffalo robe over the seats
you'll ride easy enough. They'll be
back afore Eliakim gets through shout
in and prayin'-I hain't no patience
with that kind o religion-and while
you're a-waitin' I'll bring down a
smack O. bread and meat and bottle