The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-03-24

against his better Judgment? And
during the afternoon he thought the
matter over and over.
Powers" he called out, as that in
dividual was leaving the field at night,
"If the folks at home canspare Miriam
da, let her comeupin the morning and
help my wife"
"All right; she will be glad to come"
was the answer.
\ X X
Harvest was over, and Mrs. Ora
ham spoke OF discharging the girl.
"You had better keep her to help
YOU" advised her husband.
"No," said Mrs. Graham; "when
there is none but my own family / can
do the work easy enough alone. be-
lieve l like to work." she added, 'smil-
ing. "At least, I am happiest when l
am busy"
GLOW long has it been since you
have been home to your fathers on a
visit?" he asked, abruptly.
Five years ago last June, when
Ellen was married."
How prompt was the answer! Per-
haps she had counted the time.
"How would you like to 60 out and
see the folks this fall?"
What q glad light came into herface,
and then faded, as she said, hesitate
ingly:
"How can I.po?" ...
"Never. mind about that. You
have earned a playday, and none OF
my transactions shall hinder you
from taking one. You had better take
the children with you; the folks will
want to see them. We will 90 to town
tomorrow, and you can get what
things you need, and Miranda can
stay and help you get ready. You
want to get off as sOon as you can,
for you will like to make a good long
visit while you are about it."
He appeared anxious to hasten her
departure. but Mrs. Graham was too
happy at the thought of seeing the
home of her childhood again to notice
it at the time.
"But what will you do without us
il we make too long q stay?"
"DOu't mind about me. I can keep
old bachelors hail." he added, laugh
ing.
Two weeks after Mrs. Graham had
| SOA1N1 WI IL I'LL Old1lOll1 lldu IuC
house all to himself.
After the lapse OF five weeks he went
to the station to meet his wife and
children. They had enjoyed the most
delightful visit, and all were we'll and
happy, and as they drove homeward
there was much to be told, and many
inquiries to be made. AS they neared
the house Mrs. Graham looked sud-
denly forward, while her husband
watched her face ardrubbedh his hands
together in quiet glee. What was that
soft, lustrous gray cleaning out from
among the green leaves? Was she
dreaming? No; it was the house with
its green shutters and portico.
"Why, Hiram Graham, what have
you been doing?" she looked again.
"And a picket fence! And the most
charming little gate! And a graveled
walk" and then she could not keep
the glad tears from coming.
"Come, Jennie" said Mr.. Graham,
teasingly, although his own eyes
moistened with sympathetic happi-
ness, don't feel too glad, about it. I,
may have worse things yet to show
you. There, how does that suit?" he
asked after they had entered the
house, pointing to the bay window.
I did not understand such things, so I
got a workman who did, you see; it
is all complete, ready for the plants.
And here" he said, leading the way
through the kitchen and throwing
open the door, els the wood-house,
and there is a pantry that can't be
beat anywhere. And here is some
thing you didn't MENTION" he con-
tinued, approaching aneat sink in the
kitchen, aud laying hold of the
handle of a cistern-pump that stood
IN one end, up gushed a Jet of soft
water which told Of a good cistern
underneath. "Look through the
window and you will see a covered
drain that carries away all the waste
water. You see I didn't do ANYTHING
with these THINGS" he said, after they
had entered the sitting-room, and
glancing deprecatingly at the dingy-
colored paper, tho dilapidated furni-
ture and threadbare carpet. 81
would rather trust that to you. And,
beside, l found there was so much
real enjoyment in it that I thought I
would be generous and leave some of
the pleasure for you. Here is the
money that is left,' he added, present.
ing her with a goodly roll of bills.
One pleasant day in autumn all
was complete, and indeed, as Mr..
Graham said, it did look like "a bit
OF Eden"
II do believe" Jennie said, turning
toward her husband, with a glad,
bright look on her face, II do believe
l am Just the happiest woman in the
world!'
He drew her gently to him.
"Jennie," he said, what were you
thinking about that morning 1 found
you churning under the locust tree,
and looking 40 intently at that old
building on the hill?"
Her only answer was a merry
laugh.
"Did you oyer think so before?"
Although he asked the question
hesitatingly, he looked w%istfully into
her face for an answer.
'No, you dear, simple darling, and
| am sure I never shall again; and,
looking up archly, II Didn't them"
Siv Won, ho ooc,,l