Thankful Rest

t stood a mile or so beyond Pendlepoint on the farther side of the river, from which it was separate

ful look about it that it had been queerly christened Thankful Rest. The land adjoining the homestead was rich and fertile, and brought in every year a crop worth a goodly competence to its possessors. The family at Thankful Rest consisted of two pe

urness, give me Josh Strong and his sister Hepsy.

d casement stood open to admit what little air happened to be abroad that sultry afternoon. How pleasant it was, to be sure, to look out upon the flower-laden garden; upon the sunny orchard, rich and golden with its precious harvest; upon the silver thread of the river winding through the green meadow beyond; and to see and feel all the loveliness with which God had clothed the world. But Miss Hepzibah had no eyes for any of the beauties I have mentioned; she was intent upon her work, and hung on the clothes-horse piece after piece of stiff, spotless linen

e was a loud knock at the back door, and the post-messenger from Pendle

oubt," he said. "It'll be from yo

it stolidly for a second, and then laid it on the table. "Sit dow

on. Still the letter lay untouched upon the table till the last collar was hung on the horse, the irons set on the flags to cool, and the blanket folded in the dresser. Then Miss Hepsy broke the seal, and read without change of expression what ought to have been a sorrowful intimation to her, the news of th

he sprang to her feet, whisked the letter into the table drawer, and fetching out baking-board and flour-basin, proceeded to make dough for a

from her minister; and he says you've got to come up right away and see about things, an' fetch back the boy and gal with you. T

ned to his sister's words. He reached out his hand for the lette

t business folks has marryin' an' dyin' an' leavin' their children to poor folks to keep. I

don't know," said Miss Hepsy, whisking off a griddle cake with unnecessary vigour. "I declare Hett

said Joshua meditatively, twirlin

one for her now, I wonder? Left her a lone widder to die off and leave penniless children to other folks to k

ke to know," said Joshua, "and all that corn

We'll get him to see to things an' bring the children down. I'll go to Pendlepoint whenever I've got my supper, an' ask him. Here, ask the grace quick

clung to each other weeping, wondering fearfully to see so white, and cold, and

would realize more bitterly than now what they