The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-06-10
a GOOD INVESTMENT.


hung its radiant pennons over the vel
vet slopes of the Fairhaven farm the
river murmuring softly over its pebbly
bottom, flashed up like sheet of sill
yer, and the purple fields of clover
nodding ready for the scythe, filed
the warm air with sweet, slumbe rous
scents.
Zine weather for the hayin'," said
Eliakim Fairhaven. To lis material
nature Gods sunshine and the grand
glitter of earth and sky we're but the
instruments to fill his pockets with
sordid gain-mere accessions to "a
good crop" Alasl is not this world
full of Eliakim Fairhavens in one
shape or another?
Miss Comfort Fairhaven sat beside
him knitting and watching tho cum
bersome frolics of pair of twin
lambs, deserted 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 that a-coming up the
path, wonder ?'
One of the new hands, calculate" 1"
said Eliakim, screwing up his eyes.
1T didn't gree to give 'em their sup
per and board into the bargain, n
night afore the job begins-and I'm
blessed If there amt little gal along
with him -
"Tain't 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 n crutch.
"Heart alive, child, said Miss Com
fort, whose kindly nature involunta-
rily sympathized withall who were suf-
fering or in distress; "what ails you,
and what 90 you want here ?"
"Please ma'am," began the child
eagerly, "if you could give us
nights lodging-poor papa is so sick
and tired, and"
"No. I can't!" abruptly broke in
Eliakim Fairhaven. "rhis amt no
almshouse, nor yet charity place. If
ye can pay your way, we'll and good ;
il ye can't the sooner you go about
your business the better!"
eve have no money" timidly be-
gan the child, while the man as if
stunned and bewildered by the heart
less fuency OF the old farmers speech,
leaned up against the fence, pressing
his hand on his forehead, "but--"
"Then clear out and be done with
It'll" said Eliakim, resuming his seat
with dogged composure.
Miss Comfort looked appealingly at
her brother.
eff could just get 'em bowl OF
milk, Eli akin, and"
'Stuff and nonsense" sonorously
ejaculated the farmer; "p ANITA goin'
to give in to this sort of thing. Once
begin, and you'll never leave of, you
soft t-headed womanfolk II
Slowly and wearily the two poor
travellers turned and plodded their
way adown the broad, dusty road, the
ianguid footsteps of the invalid scarce
keeping up with the tripping pace Of
the child.
"Oh, papa, papa" sobbsd the little
girl, turning h,r blue, wistful eye to
the white, worn face, how cruel
people are!'.
He placed his hand upon her curly
uncovered head.
''Never mind. Essie," he said, with
. mournful, tender pathos in his
voice; lit will soon end. 1t cannot
be for long, as far us I am concerned,
poor child But for you. He
stopped. his voice husky with emo
tiop.
They had walked what seemed TO
little Esther Bell a weary way. when
there was rustic among the wild
rose bushes that overhung the stone
wall at their side, and voice called
hurriedly to thcm to ''stop."
ssIt's me-" said Miss Comfort Fair
haven, reckless of her grammar.
@sEliakim that's my brother-he's
gone over to the class meetin' at
Squire Dundas', and ! cut down
through lots to overtake you I tell
you ! can't somehow get your fathers
fsee out o my mind. You're sick.
aia't you. nisters"