Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-11-29

WOUcnI not Il WOIu WAS SPOKEN.
He held the stove poker IN his
hand aud as he stood TINS absorbed
and preOccupied with his thoughts
he tapped the rim of the stove
with the poker. 1t almost seemed
as if he had not heard a word BID
father had said.
i guess 1t was all my fault,
john said the Old man IN a low,
pleading tone, that you ever went
away. Bat | guess l was too set.
| Bat
'Oh, that's all light, dad. Don't
say a word about it, said John,
with just the least suspicion of a
tear IL his eye, as he Land his hand
afiectiOnately on the old man's
shoulder We're none of us too
perfect, and we all have our own
mistakes. Come, l guess We nigh t
AS well go up to the house now. 1t
isn't far from nOOn.'
well, john said Mr.. Barlow,
rising, my plan Is this: To deed
everything to you and Julia, anI
all l ask in return is my support,
and when Pm laid away-and that
wOn'E be many years, you to have
it clear
well, dad,' SAID John, RS he
stood in the open door, 1 hope I'LL
be a good many years, but we'll
see what Julia says
JOhu BarlON'S home was not es
pecially attractive on the outside
bat when you crossed the threshold
you entered at once into an a.
mosphere of domestic warmth and
happiness. Where Jalla Barlow
was every one lelt at home.
1t was a new world to the old
man, who had lived alone for so
long, to meet his daughter.ln. law
again, 10 have the three little ones
nestle shyly about him.
Dinner was over, the chlldien
had let fJr school, and then it did
not take long to get at Julia's
feelings as to the new proposition.
julia said her husband, a.
tEey sat down together in tie
snnny, bright little sitting room,
father has a plan to propose to us.
suppose You'll want to take some
time to think it over, but II. tell
yOu now what it's, Father wants
us to go home aud look after the
place and take care Of him and he
to give us The farm. III do just as
you say
Julia Barrow sat for a moment
looking straight before her aud
saying nothing. Then she went
hastily to the sofa where the old
man was ana sitting down beside
HIM she placed her hands on his
shOu deTs.
do you want rs to com 2 she
said.
Yes, my child said the old man.
Within ten days John Barlow
had sold his store and moved hi
household goods to the farm. With
tie children running about aud
shouting n their play the old house
{ ok on a new aspect and became
full Of life and warmth again. All
the old neigb6OTs were hearty In
their congratulations TO the old
man On the change, and he himself
seemed to have entered on q new
life.
Oily one mau gave utteranee TO
t1rebOdlngs and that vEs old
Lawyer David Evans, who drew
the deed and bill of sale by which
Samuel BIrlOw convey ed his farm
and stock, Ills furnltGre and tools
to John B BIrlOw in consideration of
one dollar, on condition OF support
for life.
After the deed had been signed
and delivered the old'lawyer vent
home to his wife with a heavy heart.
Remember what / say, Elizabeth.
/ know those men. They are both
goOd mep, Lnt ont of that deed
there'll be trouble
Bat at the farm all went well.
John began with a vigOr to take
hold of affairs that astonished his
friends aud acquain'ances. He
seemed to be in his element again.
More work was secured for the
mill and "A second man employed.
The blacksmith shop, which for
some time had been unusued, was
was put to rights, q jOurneyman
hired, and soon the merry ring of
the anvil could be heard from oaily
morn TIL late at night. Fields were
plowed, laborers were hired, new,
Improved farming tools purchased
and a general air Of prosperity
seen ed to peiyade the old place.
I'll. 90. .-. ..,,r aIoaoI ap1 fIaro