Year: 1875

to die. Iaiways thought he had
tender place somewhere in his heart
if one:could find it. He wasa right
generous sort of a fellow when a
young man, but he was thrifty,
and thrift seemed to harden him.


Half an hour afterward Farmer
Brill drove off in his light wagon
There was a marvellous change in the
expression ofhis fnc old face. His
eyes had a Few luster in them, and
the kindiier temper of his blood was
softening and warming all the hard
lines that had compressed themselves
about his moutk and cut down rig.
idly between his brows, giving them
a nobler and deeper human senti,
ment. In his wagon was a bag Of
-four, a bushel of potatoes, side Of
bacon and twenty pounds of salt
pork, besides corn meal and spples.


When Farmer Brill returned his
heart was so light that it gave new
buoyancy to his body, and instead Of
pining about or sitting half-stupidly
in his armchair he went bustling in
and out in a CHEEKY way, and talked
to his wife of this neighbor and that
with kindly interest altogether
new.


1t is more blessed to give, some
times, than receive said Mrs. Brill
to her husband, as he told her with a
new quality Of pleasure in his voice,
about his visit to Mr.. Gardner and
Ais.familxs .ii.s...s.s,ss.


1t may be always he answered, to
her surprise. 1T must be- he ans
wered, after a hesitating pause, ii
our Savior's words are true, for Hc
puts in no qualifying sometimes.


The oA nsar sat very still, with a
sober, Unlocking expression on his
face. sHe knew best Andrew; but
very few of US live as if we thought
BE did,


The farmers sleep was notso sound
that night as usual; thought was
busy. Not that he was troubled with
the pleasure that came with minis
'tering to his stricken neighbor had
gone too deep and filed his heart too
largely to leave room for trouble
He was thinking out of himsclf-a
rare experience for Farmer Brill;
of some of his neighbors,
and how he might serve them at lit
tie cost to his boarded substance. 1t
was too early in the new state upon
which he had really entered to count
much cost against himself.


The farmer rose on the next morn
ing feeling like new man. The
rest and comfort of mind which had
come as the reward of kindness to
John Gardner, still remained. Good
will to others, israrcly satisfied with
a single service. 1t was SO in this
case. The family Of his sick and
helpless neighbor had other needs
than that of food. He had seen the
halfclad children and the wife's
worn and scanty clothing, and the
picture remained with him.


Can't you send Mrs, Gardner an
old dress or two% said Mr.. Brill to his
wife as they sat at the breakfast ia,
bic. She needs them badly. If you
Will make ups bundle Of things for
her the children and I'll hitch
up and take themover. You'll know
what they want


Mrs. Brill was not the woman to
say NO to a suggestion like this
She soon had a bundle Of clothing
ready for her husband, and off he
went again on his earand of mercy
with a glee and warmth in his bosom
that sent a feeling of delight along
every nerve. How cordial were all
the greetings he gave to passing
neighbors! He forgot old grudges
and coldnesses, and drew uphis horse
more than once to have a chat with
the individuals whom he had passed
the day before with only an inditfer-
ent nod. ..,...s


He sat for over an hour with John
Gardner. talking about old times
both had grown up in the neighbor-
hood-and learned many things he
might have learned before that inter
csted him deeply about the life Of