The Osceola times., 1886-03-13
A GOOD INVESTMENT.
Miss Fairhavon Casts Her Bread
Upon the Waters"

,T.e yellow haze Of midsummer hung
Its radiant pennons over the velvet
slopes of the Fairhaven farm; the river,
murmuring softly over its pebbly bot
tom, flashed up like a sheet Of silver,
and the purple fields of clover noddng
ready for the scythe filled the 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
instruments to fill his pockets with
sordid gain-mere accessions to "a good
crop" Alas! is not this world full of
Eliakim Fa rhavens in one shape or
apotherp
Miss Comfort Fairhaven sat beside
him knitting and watching the cumber-
some frolics of a 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
Iildt d-COiuiH up thc patn, WohuciF
Zone of the new hands, calculate"
said Eliakim, screwing up his eyes. "I
didn't gree to give 'em their supper
and board into the bargain night be-
fore the job begins-and I'm blessed il
there amt a little gal along with him!"
"'Taint 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 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, Iii you could give us nights
lodgin.g-PoOr papa is SO sick and tired
"No, | can't!' abruptly spoke in
Eliakim Falrhaven. "This amt no
almshouse, nor yet a charity place. II
ye can pay your way, well and good;
II We can't, the sooner you go about
your business the better!'
1--WE have no money" timidly began
the child, while the man, as If stunned
and bewildered by the heartless tluency
of the old farmers speech, leaned up
against the fence. pressing his hand
on his forehead. but"
Then clear out and be done with itr'
said Eliakim, resuming his seat with
dogged composure.
Miss Comfort looked appealing at her
brother. .If | could just get 'em
bowl of milk; Eliakim, and"
stuff and nonsense" sonorously
4 calculated the farmer; II amt a-goin'
to give in to that sort of thing. Once
begin, and you'll never leave off, you
soft-headed womanfolkH'
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. 80 papa, papa, sobbcd the
little girl, turning her blue, wistful eyes
70 the white, worn face, ''how cruel
people are!'
He placed his hand upon her curly,
uncovered head. "Never mind, Esse,"
he said, with mournful, tender pathos
in his voice; il will soon end. II can
not be for long, AS far as am con-
cerned, poor child! But for you"
He stopped, his voice husky with emo
ton. .IN
They had walked what seemed to lit
tie Esther weary way, when there was
rustic among the wild rOse-bushes
that overhung the stone wall at their
side, and voice called hurriedly to
them to stop"
"Its me, said Miss Comfort Fair
haven, reckless of her grammar.
"Elakim- that's my brother-he's gone
over to the class-meetin' at Squire
Dunda's, and cut down through lots to
overtake YOU. / tell you can't some
how get your fathers face out O. my
mind. You re sick, ain you. mister'"
II shall soon be quite WELL" 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 II would be in that country
where the inhabitants never say II am
sick" @tiAh
Where are you going'" asked kind
Miss Comfort, her voice growing husky
in spite of herself. .0.... -.
I'VE are going to my grandpapa,"
said little EssiC. "Grandpapa was
vexed with my mamma for marrying
papa and going to England, but papa
thinks hen take care of me now. But
] won't stay with him unless papa stays
too"
And she resolutely tightened her
grasp upon the thin. fever-burning
hand.
II s'pose you want to get to Ions
dale?" said Miss Comfort.
The man nodded.
.'Is it farp"
Eleven good miles yet" said Miss
Comforts ''but III tell you what-TI
make Joab get out the wagon, and
with good buffalo robe over the seats
you'll ride easy enough. They'll be
back afore Eliakim gets through shout
In and prsYn'-I hain't no patience
with that Kind q, teligion-and while
ycu're s.waitin' I'll bring down Q
Dmack o. koad ands meet and . bottle