The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-15

long walk from the station, carrying
her sleeping child in her arms. She
inquired from a man whom she met
crossing the common where Elijah
Walrond lived, and he pointed out to
her the little white cottage with the
big garden. Slowly she walked up
the long, narrow path, with its stray
Cling border of sweet-smelling pinks.
wondering that the place was SO un-
tidy and ill-kept, till she stood on the
threshold of the half-opene1 door.
She tapped timidly, and no one reply
ing to her knock, she looked into the
kitchen, and there sat her father doz-
ing in his chair by the chimney cor
ner. She was shocked at the change
in his appearance. His features were
sharp and worn, his hands like birds
claws, and ragged growth of white
beard and moustache covered his
once well-shaven face; nor was old
'Lijah as clean as might have been.
His stockings were in holes and his
clothes ragged and unmended. It
was plain to be seen that he had lost
all interest in himself, and that there
was no woman to look after him.
Jane entered, and quietly seated her
self opposite to her father, and her
tears fell fast as she took in the
meaning of his forlorn and neglected
aspect, and whispered to herself, ooh
mother, motherW.
When 'Lijah opened his eyes. there
sat bis daughter on the other side Of
the hearth, with child on her lap.
At first he did not know who it was,
and looked vaguely: puzzled till he
heard her voice.
cts me, father; it's Jane come to
live with you and make you comfort
able"
He did not seem startled, and re-
ceived the announcement with the
most matter of-fact calm.
"Whatever brings you back i these
parts' It's trouble, ! doubt" and
the old man shook boding head.
cay, father, trouble enough it is!
My mans dead and l 'aven't penny
in the world and no home but what
you'll give me and this little lad to
keep?" and there was a strange stir in
the old mans heart as she uttered the
words, for he had never. had a son of
his own, and it had been the great
disappointment of his life.
For reply Jane crossed the hearth
with her child in her arms, and set
him on the old mans shrunken knees
as beautiful boy of twelve months
old as mother ever dotted on.
"Yes, father, that's my little lad as
I've got to- keep; that's little Peter,
your own little grandson; and he's
rare good company already for lonely
folks. Many's the time he's dried
my tears watching his pretty ways.
odd i'm tight, father, for p'raps e
mayn't take to you"
No need to tell 'Lijah to hold his
little grandson carefully. The touch
of the child's firm young flesh, the
sight of his golden hair, his gentian
blue eyes and.. moist, innocent breath
nourished his old bones, and he felt
there was vital warmth in him yet.
And when little Peter put up dim
pied hand to grasp his ragged beard,
and made pretty baby jabbering
and laughed in his troubled old face,
displaying four pearly-white teeth
like grains.o of rice, the frost in the
grandchildren heart, that had bound
it since his.wife died, melted, and he
said
"Jane, if you 'aven't got penny
in the world, your mans left you rich
enough wi a little lad like thisl You
must bide wi me-both of YOU"
Gay, father, so we will. But look
you how that grey wire beard O
yourn is scratchin' little Peters facet
You'll ave to shave it off, and poor
mother always thought so much O.
your clean chin"
The ragged beard was duly taken
off, and the old man began the trouble
of shaving again, and renewed his
acquaintance with soap and water,
for the lads sake; and his daughter
washed and mended his clothes, and
'Lijah looked once more himself, but
old-very old.
'Lijah's whole heart was garnered
in his little grandson, and as the boy
grew older it was a pretty sight to
see them in the fields together, the
child bringing wild flowers to the old
man to name, or birds egg or nest;
but whatever it was he could tell him
everything about it, and nothing