The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-04-01
LENDING TO THE LORD.

AtLND1NO M lt1E lIOkHDs
Land ahoy. there's our harbor =
called out the captain of tho prairie
schooner that was slowly making its
way over the green. grassy sea whose
rolling pillows were hecked with the
white spray of innumerablc wild flow
ers
Where. where!' exclaimed each
Young sailor. gazing eagerly in the di-
rection their fathers field glass was
pointed. while Bobby Shafto leaned for
ward so far that he lost his balance, and
would have fallen overheard if the first
mate had not caught him by the skirt
Of his little blue trock and pulled him
back on deck.
do you see those bushes along shore
there to the Westward asked the cap
tain. well, that's where We are go
ing to anchor tonight, then a little
north Of there and due west abont iif-
teen miles, lies the island that's TO be
our home. Here, mate, look through
this glass; now can you make il out?''
he asked.
II think so." she answered, after a
long look; lat least can see dark
speck on the horizon.
Then the children must each have \
look, from Bobby Shafto up to Kittie
Clover.
Kittie Clover was the oldest. She
just fourteen the day they started, and
it was she who first made believe
they were on sea voyage. The idea
just suited Homer and Horace, the
ten-year-old twins, who looked enough
alike to be one boy. and were mischiev-
Gus enough for four.
Della and Stella came next and they
were twins, too, fourteen years old, for
Della is seven and I'm seven, and tina,
makes us fourteen. don't it?" Stella
said.
Bobby Shafto made up an even hall
dozen.
No wonder that Mr.: Sailor though,
all these boys and girls needed more
room TO grow in than the forty acre
farm where they had all been born; SC
early in the spring the old home had
been sold and Mr. Sailor had gone t.
western Kansas where he had located
\ claim. and after building small
house, and putting in crop. returned
for his family.
They had been three weeks on tn.
road and il was with quiet sigh o
satisfaction that Mrs. Sailor said
We'll, am sure the passengers of til,
real Mayflower were not any NOR,
glad to see the land than an
4 am sorry" exclaimed Homer
Il wish we were just starting. neve
had SO much fun in my life. did 20,
Horace?''
But instead Of answering, Horac'
said, Look there, there's anothe
schooner anchored by those bushes
farther south than the spot we ar
steering for.
There is little creek there and i
makes a good place to camp thei
father said
When their own fire was built an,
supper was ready, the twins who ha,
been wading down the creek, cam
back with the news that there was
dead horse lying in the bushes.
Probably he belongs to that ma
camped below" said Homer. ..any
way ! didn't see but one horse by til
wagon.
''And that was poor as q crow.
interrupted Horace.
did you see anybody" aske
their mother. mo. but we heard
baby cry answered Homer.
you had better walk over after sur
per and see Them" said Mrs. Sailor
her husband. He did so, passing o
his way the dead horse in the bushes.
well, friend" he said, walking u
to man who sat on an overture
pail, with his face buried in his hands
you've had bad luck. see."
At the sound of his voice the strangs
lifted his head. There was discou
aged look on his face that said, eve
before his lips uttered the word
Yes, and don't know what l sha
do
How far are you going?' inquire
Mr.. Sailor, sitting down on the gra
: beside him.
: About two hundred miles further,
; replied the other. lat least that
.. where started for. but il looks now !
If we would never get there
Finding he had sympathetic lis
/ ener, the poor man told his story; no
he had been sick and out Of work .
the preceding winter; how his brothc
: in-law had urged him ID come out al
take up homestead beside him; ho
he had put all the money he had Il
t into his team and wagon, and how Il
day before, one Of the horses had sic
: ened aud died.
Il delare, 1 don't know when I Il
SO sorry for anyone" said Mr.. Sailo
as he told the story over to his viii
..rhe horse he has can never pl
through alone. and he hasn't an
thing to buy another with. h
wife seems like real lady, and tn,
have two little children"
Papa called low voice from Il
corner, where Kittie Clover was tuck,
away Will 1sOOUy 0u01lO III ucI dIu
papa, there's Robin. you know"
robin. my dcar?' said her faith
in q puzzled tone. What of himl
why, / thought perhaps if y,
should give him to the poor man
she hesitated.
He that giveth to the poor lende
to the Lord" repeated Mrs. Sailo
perhaps the child's thought is q 20.
one.'
well, said her husband. II am su
if had anything to invest this wou
be good opportunity; but. Robin.
don { soc"
He must have seen before mornin
though, for just before they were reat
to start on their last days journe
instead of tying the gentle Robin b
hind the wagon he led him over to tt
strangers camp.
After shaking hands heartily he sal
Here. friend. this horse Is yours. n,