Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-10-29

penitence Tor the words was very
humble, and she put away the de-
sire with many another longing.
But John Trowbridge, though be
was narrow-minded, and often
rough, had kind heart under the
hard crust gathered over it in years
OF toll, poorly paid. The longing
of the shy, brown eyes haunted him,
II s'pofe it 10 like telling the
birds not to sing to shut her up
here,' he thought. But. TO give her
a pianol How in the world"
Then a sudden thought almost
took away bis breath. lie got up
from bis chair and kissing EssIe,
went to the door to think it over.
The young widow, warned that it
was nearly tea time by the clock,
sped to the kitchen, and did not
know when her fsther-in-law put on
his overcoat and hat and went down
to the village.
He came b.ck with some great
project in every line Of his rugged
sun.browned face.
Tea was q success. The toast was
delicately Drowned, and the ham
done to turn. When the meal was
over, the old man said:
,"Essie, do you remember the
cross you told me your father gave
you for birthday giit2'
"My diamond crossY'
"You would not like to part with
it. Perhaps it is your only remind.
| er Of your .father2"
mo. L have many other Of his
gifts. Nothing so valuable 80 that.
The gentleman who took charge OF
my fathers affairs, told me ! could
keep all of his giiss to Be."
"You-you-vould not like to
give me She cross to sell, Essiei Our
money is getting very short"
A kiss, tender and quick, stopped
the words that came 90 hesitatingly.
"You are gladly welcome to It,
iatherl I wonder did not shink Of
1t BEFORE"
So the dainty bauble ley in ths
farmers horny palm, and while e.
sic cleared the tea-table John Trov.
bridge went once more 10 The vii
lage.
DR.. Reynolds, the only physician
there, Harry's fast friend for years,
was in his Office when The farmer en-.
tered.
"TheIe it isl" said the visitor, tri-
umphantly. sYou are sure it il
worth the money!"
"Perfectly sure. And Mrs. TroE-
bridge wishes me to invest the sum
I obtain in piano?"
"Bless you, mol that's nay part OF
it. You see, the poor little soul
tries to do her best, but she amt fit
for her hard life. II there was any
tother home for her I'd send her
away, though I'd rather miss the
sunlight. She's as dainty as q but.
terfy, and yet che has no tine lady
ways either. But she bankers for q
piano. and she shall have one. Err
nest and the old mans eyss allied
"her own father gave her that GIN
crack, and I've seen her kiss it Oft
en-, but when l asked her to give il
to me, because / needed money, she
put it in my hand with a kiss, and
told me ! was gladly welcome. She's
good girl, if she amt much of @
hand at work."
She is not very strong," and Er.
nest Reynolds stihed q sigh as be
spoke. Then, with o quick change
of voice, he added: II am going 10
the city tomorrow. ] will sell The
cross and buy the piano."
But when the farmer vas gone
Ernest Reynolds took strange liber-
ties With the jewel he held in charge.
BE slipped ribbon through lis ring
and hung 1t over his eva heart,
More than once be touched his. lips
to the hard, glittering stones, whis-
pering.
"Essie, little Rssie!"
The next day he had 1t valued BY
a jeweler, and bought q piano With
the sum named; but the cross rest
ed still upon his heart % The bill for
the sweet. toned instrument xsa
paid.
1t would be vain task TO describe
Essie's pleasure when the piano vas
brought 10 the sitting-roon. She
cried and smiled at ths same time,
and her earnest thanks brought
moisture TO the old farmer'sieyes.
He knew nothing OF the wonder
ful power prisoned in the slender
fingers, SCARED with rough work.
He had no true appreciation ofsthe
genius of that tender young soul.
But he did know that Essie could
sway him as she villed by the
sounds she drew from the wonder
oCs keys; could bring tears to bis
eyes or smiles to his lips, could lift
him to alteration by her stirring
hymns, or carry his heart TO the
foo. Of the cross by the pleading
power Of her voice in prsyerful
song.