| OCR Text |
Show 200 UNCLE TOl\118 C.:\ DIN: OR, "that llannah Stanwood is sick. J ohn was up there, last night,- I must go there to-morrow." " J ohn can come in hero to his meals, if ihco needs to stay all day," suggested Rachel. "~rhank thee, Rachel; will sec, to-motTOW i but, here comes Simeon.'' Simeon llalliday, a tall, straight, muscular man, in dra.b coat and pantaloons, and broad-brimmed hat, now entered. ': How is thee, Ruth ?" he said, warmly, as be spread his broad open hand for her little fttt palm; "and how is J olm ?" " 0! J ohn is well, and all the rest of our folks," said Ruth, cheerily. " Any news, fa. thor?" said Rachel, as she was putting her biscuits int!? the oven. " Peter Stebbins told me that they should be along to-night, with friends/' said Simeon, significantly, as he was washing his hands at a neat sink, in a little back porch. " Indeed !" said Rachel, locking thoughtfully, and glancing at Eliza. " Did thee say thy name was Harris 1" said Simeon to E liza., as he reentered. Rachel glanced quickly at her husband, as Eliza tremulously answered '(yes;" her fears, ever uppermost, suggesting that possibly there might be advertisements out for her. " ~Iothcr ! " said Simeon, st;mding in the porch, and calling Rachel out. "What does thee want, father 1" said Rachel, rubbing her floury hands, as she went into the porch. "This child's husband is in the settlement, and will be here to-night," said Simeon. LIFE Al\IONO THE LOWLY. 201 "Now, thee docs n't say that, father?" said Rachel, all her f..1cc r::tdiant ·with joy. "It's really true. Peter was down yesterday, with tho wagon, to the other stand, and thoro be found an old woman and two men; and one said his name \YnS George Harris; and, from what he told of his history, I am certain who he is. He is a bright, likely fellow, too." n Shall we tell her now?- " said Simeon. " Let 's tell Ruth," said Rachel. " Here, Ruth,-come here.'' R uth laid clown her knitting-work, and was in the back porch in a moment. "Ruth, what does thee think 1" said Rachel. " Father says Eliza's husband is in the last company, and will bo hero to-night." A burst of joy from the little Quakeress interrupted tho speech. She gave such a bound fi·om tho floor, as she clapped her little hands, that two stray curls fell from under her Quaker cap, and lay brightly on her white neckerchief. " Hush thee, dca.r ! " said Rachel, gently; " hush, Ruth! Tell us, shall we tell her now 1 '' "Now! to be sure,- tills very minute. 'Vhy, now, suppose 'twas my J ohn, how should I feel1 Do tell her, r ight off." " 'l'hcc uses thyself only to learn how to love thy neighbor, Ruth," said Simeon, looking, with a beaming face, on Ruth. " To be sure. Isn' t it what we are made for ?- I f I didn't love John and tho baby, I should not know how to feel for her. Come, now, do tell her,- do! " and she laid her hands porsuasively on Rachel's arm. "Take her into thy bed-room, there, and let me fry the chicken while thee does it." |
