The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-02

although he was suffering much pain
in consequence OF going into the adjoin
ing woods to gather underbrush, having
the privilege of using all he cared to col
lect, and the amount laid in early in the
season was nearly exhausted.
"Havin' that firewood so handy is q
wonderful blessin',' said the old man
can the Squire likes to have it got out of
the woods, too. He's clever man, is the
Squire"
"But it nigh kills you to gather it,
father; special when you're so lame; but
we've got enough on hand now to last as
long as other things do, an then-well,
that'll be the end of our housekeeping
far as I can see !"
"If the worst comes to the worst" said
Uncle Daniel, Il must see Squire Lee,
an see il he can low us little more on
the old house. It does pear to me as il
it might be wort tn tritle more'n the
mortgage now on, SEEM there's no back
interest. Pears as il couldn't bear
we should go out of it-not till our heav-
emily mansion is got ready for US; we must
be sure and be prepared for that move,
wife; an these light Affections"
clark, Danl Amt there somebody
a-comin' in the gate p
81 don't hear nothin' but the wind. As
I was a ssyin'-'pears as if / did hear a
kind of sound, Eunice"
"The dear land What would body
think to find us without light in the
house?" But before she could rise from
her chair, there came knock on the
door.
"Mercy me, Itcan't open it till git a
ightr But her hand trembled, and
match after match fared up, sputtered
and went out, before one performed it's
mission; and when she at last opened the
| door, there were words of apology on her
lips for the delay, but when she saw two
barrels only standing before her, she was
dumb with surprise.
"Why, whatever's the matter, Eunice?
Who's there?"
here minnit, can't YEP"
Uncle Daniel hobbled to the door, and
| after the first shock OF wonder was over,
looked out to the road for some sign of
the bringer, but all was deserted and ST.
lent, save for a merry whistle which
seemed TO be drawing nearer.
"Toler'ble heavy load for the ravens to
bring, wasn't it?" said he, as he attempt
ed to move one of the barrels.
Somebody is a-comin' now, Dan'l; it's
Harry Bailey"
eyes, it's me sure enough; but hey
| What's the matter here? You amt NOV
ing, I hopep
"Why, no; but-well, the fact is, we
don't rely know the meanin' ont our
selves. These ere barrels has come here
all of q suddent, an we don't know why,
nor how"
swell, ain't that jolly? Why, Uncle
Daniel, they must be valentines-one for
each of you, with somebody's love; you
know its Valentines Day. Just let me
roll them in for you out of the cold; and,
Aunt Eunice, here's one of mothers IA
NOUS mince pies; she made such lot OF
'em to-day. But my her little present
isn't nowhere compared with all this ~
for Uncle Daniel had the barrels uncov-
cred, and was gazing at the contents in
speechless wonder, while the candle
shook in his hand. Harry turned to go,
and Aunt Eunice got her wits together
sufficiently to thank him for the pie and
for his assistance, and then closing the
door, attempted with her shaking hands
to help unpack the barrels. There were
vegetables of all kinds, apples, roll OF
butter, generous pieces Of corned pork
and beef, and sack of -four.
81 hope you amt been acomplainin' to
nobody, Eunice +
"Indeed I ain't You know better n
that, Dan'l y
"Yes, yes, so I did Then the Lords
pervided for us, sartin."
swell, amt that what you've always
been a-sayin'-that he would pervide; an
now that he's gone and done it, you're
just as wonder-struck as you can be.
Them amt no store things neither;
they've come from some farmer that has
been wrought upon in his mind to do.it,"
and poor Aunt Eunice sat down and
cried.
"Don't, don't, dearie p said her hus-
band. snow don't go to teelin' like that.
Why, I'm go happy an thankful I don't
know what to do"
$50 be L; but there, couldn't help
cryin' was so overcome. Do you s'pose
Silas had anything to do with it?"
"No, it don't seem so to me; it amt no.
way likely as we'll ever know where them
things come from or who brought 'em;so
we'll have to give thanks straight TO the
Lord, an they won't go amiss. I tell you
wife, his promises is sure =
SAN hope an pray he'll forgive me
for bsin' so slow to believe EN-" said she
penitently; "but things did look 80 des'-
pert dark ahead, an no light comm from
nowheres."
"That's Jest the time to prove the PROM
ises true, dearie."
Aunt Eunice dried her eyes and, pleas
ed as any child, proceeded to look all the
articlaa over aoain