Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1911 — Page 2

Chat Angel of Mercy

Hnd an Unnatural Daughter SI bo Deserted RcrOld father fly >laria D. Carpenter Copyright by American Press Association, 1911.

The case of Helen Powell turning her poor old widowed father over to the care of his housekeeper, Miss Willard, a woman of thirty-five, puzzled the social world of Deerfield. The wife and mother died when Helen was sixteen years old, and Miss Willard naturally assumed, or, rather, continued to administer, the household affairs. Indeed, she had been during Mrs. Powell’s illness indispensable. A few months after her mother’s death Helen went to boarding school and remained there for three years except during vacations, when she visited some one of her schoolmates. Miss Willard’s entrance to the Powell household occurred when Mrs. Powell was taken ill. Some one was needed, and Miss Willard, who was a social acquaintance of the Powells, volunteered. Her offer was considered by her friends to be one of self abnegation, for she needed no compensation

“PEOPLE WILL TALK.”

and would accept none. Therefore, although she was called the housekeeper, she stood on an equal social footing ■with Mr. Powell and his daughter,♦who were under an obligation to her from the time she entered the house.

Helen Powell was a childlike girl, Terr amiable, by no means aggressive and easily upset by a misunderstanding with any one. Those who knew her best assigned this as the cause of her remaining away from her desolate father, thus throwing his care upon Miss Willard. On this account they excused her, but the outer world did not excuse her. She was looked upon as a very unnatural child of a suffering parent.

Miss Willard refrained from any comment upon Helen’s actions, but when pressed for an explanation would say: “Helen is perfectly excusable. Her absence is no fault of her or her father. Devoted to the memory of his wife, he broods constantly over her loss. How can such a household be a place for a young girl just budding Into womanhood?”

Helen was fond of society, and this was excellent proof of Miss Willard’s explanation. It tended to separate the former more and more from the best people of Deerfield and drew the latter closer to them. Mr. Snively, minister of the principal church in the town, preached a sermon on the text, “The greatest of these is charity,” instancing a case of a noble woman who was giving up her life without hope of reward to the care of an old person, while one who should be near and dear to him was spending her time in the worship of Mammon. Etrery one in the congregation recognized in these persons Mr. Powell, his daughter and Miss Willard.

There are always carpers, and in this case they averred that Mr. Powell possessed a little money, and, being an old man. Miss Willard was looking forward to its inheritance. One of her intimate friends, hearing of this slanderous statement, ‘ repeated it to Miss Willard. The lady replied that if anything could induce her to leave the poor old man to his fate this unjust charge would- She declared that she possessed an independent Income of her own, whereas Mr. Powell did not give her enough to run the lonise and that she was frequently obliged to make up deficiencies from her own purse. "Then why do you submit to such injustice?” asked the intimate friend. “Why do you not force that inhuman girl to come and bear this burden, which belongs to her and not to you?” “I promised Mrs. Powell before her death that I would take care of her husband.” A number of ladies of Deerfield were one day drinking afternoon tea together when the subject of Miss Willard’s sacrifice came up. Not only were encomiums passed upon Miss Willard, but vituperations heaped upon the unnatural Helen Powell. “If she ever comes to Deerfield again,” said one of the ladies, “I shall give her a piece of my mind.” “She ought to know how her neglect

of her poor, father is regarded,? Mid another., “I havea mind ,to write to her about it,” chimed in a third. “You don’t need to do that,” snapped a fourth. “I- met her at a ball in Chicago last winter and told her just how people were talking.” “What did she say?” asked the first speaker. “Why, she Just looked ont of those simpleton eyes of hen and said, ‘People will talk no matter what yon do.’ Then a young fellow with his hair parted in the middle whisked her away in the barn dance.” “She doesn’t appear to have any soul or any conscience,” was the last comment, and the ladles turned the conversation upon the coming sleeve for woipan’s dresses. Finally it was announced that Mr. Powell was very ill and his end was approaching. Every one expected this would bring his unnatural daughter to his bedside. But every one was disappointed. Helen did not appear till the day her father died. The town—the social town—was furious. Only a regard for the deceased as an old citizen and admiration for the woman who had been an angel of mercy to him kept most of the circle from remaining away from the funeral. However, strange to say, these two reasons and a third crowded the church where the services were held. The third reason was that there was a universal desire to ogle this dreadful girl who had deserted her father. She walked into the church beside Miss Willard, and every eye was strained to see the two women, who represented the opposite types of sacrifice and selfishness, though it must be admitted that a morbid curiosity rendered Helen the greater attraction. Mr. Snively preached the funeral sermon, but as the deceased had not rendered himself an interesting character, since he had afforded no example of Christian sacifice, the reverent gentleman ignored him and dwelt upon the noble example Of one w r hom he did not name, but whom everybody knew. After it was all over the two women followed the coffin out of the church. The body was disposed of and all was over.

The next morning Deerfield was set agog by a report that Miss Willard had been summarily ejected from the Powell dwelling by that inhuman Powell girl without having been given more time than was necessary to pack her trunks. Women rail from house to house inquiring the truth of the report. It was confirmed. The will had been opened the evening before, and It was found that Mr. Powell had left what little he possessed to the daughter who had deserted him. The confirmation was followed by another report that was also confirmed. Powell had left a fortune close on to a million. The breath of the people of Deerfield was taken quite away.

There are always those to say “I told you so,” and persons who had averred that Miss Willard hhd been after what means Mr. Powell possessed held up their heads. Report after report flew through the town, and most of them were confirmed. One was that Miss Willard was Mr. Powell’s widow and that she would attempt to break the will. This was denied, especially by those who stood by Miss Willard and who declared that nothing could shake their faith in that angel of mercy.

The truth was that from the reading of the will Helen Powell seemed transformed. She stayed that night with a friend and before leaving thd angel of mercy gave her orders to get out of her house by noon the next day. The order was obeyed, and Helen moved in the next afternoon.

It had required several years to work the social circle of Deerfield up to the point that Miss Willard was a saint and Miss Powell was a sinner, and it could not be expected that their positions would be reversed in a day. Indeed, it was not possible that the latter should receive any attention immediately after her father's death. But the glittering spoon with which wealth trolls catches the fish, and as soon as it was known that that “mean o’.d curmudgeon” who had till now been called that “poor deserted father” had died rich the bouleversement of public opinion came rapidly on. Helen kept secluded, and cards kept on being left at her door. No one spoke openly of the conditions of the last few years, though whispers were flying like wireless messages. Miss Willard left the town without making any statement, and the wagging of the tongues of her defenders grew' grad ually less. ' A few months after Mr. Powell’s death the house In which he had lived was sold, and a card for every one received by his daughter bearing the letters standing for pour prendre conge (to say gociby) was sent out. That was all Deerfield society ever saw of the unnatural daughter. Later Rev. Mr. Snively called upon her to apologize for his mistake concerning her, and she showed him a package of letters-that had passed secretly between her and her father, showing how a woman of domineering will and possessing a secret to the old man’s apparent discredit had first got rid of his daughter and then tried to make him marry her; how- she succeeded in forcing him to make a will in her favor and how ike had sent a later one to his daughter bequeathing her all his property.

Miss Willard never again appeared in Deerfield, nor did Helen iPowell ever after make it her home. She maintained that persons who knew so much about other people’s affairs simply by hearsay wei*e not worth cultivating. She never forgave what she had endured during those years of exile in hearing encomiums heaped the woman who was stabbing her and the slurs upon herself.

Humor and Philosophy

air BVACAA M. SMITH

PERT PARAGRAPHS. yyK may all be slightly twisted, hot we don’t care to have other people try to follow onr crooks and turns. There is no time like the present simply becanse the present Is the only time If marriage is a lottery why do ministers continue to be a party to it? When we go on a voyage of discovery we are not bunting for our own faults. Misfortune Isn’t desired, but it Is a wise man who manages to profit by It You can’t always judge a man by the quality of his coat It may be borrowed. Keeping still has seldom got any one into trouble. We much prefer the people that go without saying to those who say without going. Some men are good natured and others are bachelors. Many an Ideal is hatched out in August that gets October.

Reciprocity. If we could live on thirty cents A week, as persons do Who come to us from foreign parts And stay a year or two. We soon could be as rich as they And of the landlord free If we worked on and didn’t spend. But where would business be? This Is a world of give and take And not of calm repose. If no one bought a spool of thread The mills would, have- to close. If living was on bread and cheese And other things, as cheap The men who made the luxuries Could put their works to sleep. In theory it Is very fine To lead the simple life, But one may come in contact with The notions of his wife. She will not wear the. same old hat Forever and a day. And If her clothes are not in style } There’s several things to pay. The gentleman of foreign birth Who has that sort of skill May save out ninety cents or more From every' dollar bill, But he is few in quite a crowd. If every one would drop His spendings to his barest needs { We’d have to shut up shop. Disenchantment. “Do you believe In love at first sight r “Yes.” “You think there is something in it, do you?" “Sure. It is the only time that I ever am in love. The next time I see her it’s all off.” Gladt ■ “I just hate Brown.” “What are you going to his wedding for then?” “ ’Cause I want to gloat” * “Gloat?” “Yes. I know the girl he’s marrying.”

His Drawback. “Is he ignorant?” “Very.” 0 But he may overcome It” ''Never. If Lloyd’s were to examine him I ani sure they would be willing to take the risk and insure it for him." Couldn’t Be Otherwise. “You heard about so many children in the village having the mumps.” - “Yes.” “Well, they gave a party for them.” “It mast have been a swell affair.” Wholesale Rates. “Heard about Brown?’ “No. What about him?’ “Going into the shoe business.” “Why, how does that come?” “The last were triplets.” _ i His Turn Next “Is Miss Bink engaged?” “Yes. Would you like to meet her?” “Not now, then. I will wait till next week.” 'I 1 ‘ Paradox. “Why are you so poor?” “Because I have such a rich Imagination.” . Her Specialty. “She seems to be a breezy girl.” “Yes; she is always putting on airs.** Spoiled It ‘' Once living Was a very snap, But now man has to grapple With forces of. the earth, untamed Since Eve consumed the apple.

Her First Question. “I wonder what a woman says when she gets to heaven?’ “I should not think any one. need wondei* about that.” “Why?* “Because any one might ktiow that after asking St Peter if her hat is on straight she would ask if the place Is steam heated.”

FINE $350.00 PIANO To be given away by The Democrat ABSOLUTELY FREE This beautiful $350 piano will be given away to the person receiving the most votes in The Democrat subscription contest, opened Monday, July 17. The contest will close Saturday, December 23, 1911. ■ Description of Piano “BANNER UPRIGHT GRAND” PIANO, standard size, and weighs boxed for shipping, over 800 pounds. The back of the piano is built with 6 posts, 3% inches wide and 4 inches deep. The wrest plank is made of rock maple, covered with cross .band, %-inch veneer so that, tne piano will stay in tune. The plate or scale is full iron plate. The case is made in mahogany, with double cross band veneer inside and outside to prevent warping or splitting. The action is a first class repeating action with muffler rail •'attachment on the same. Three pedals of the latest design. Warranted by manufacturer for ten years. Additional Prizes Besides this elegant high grade piano, two, other fine prizes are to be given away. To the person receiving the second highest number of, votes, D. M. Worland will give a fine $35 FREE Sewing Machine with handsome 6-drawer, drop-head case, and the best sewing machine made in the world; guaranteed for life. Also Q. J. Jessen, the Jeweler, will give an elegant silver set, consisting of 24 pieces—6 each of knives, forks, tablespoons and teaspoons, all in handsome silk-lined case and warranted for 20 years. Piano is Now on Exhibition The piano is on exhibition in D. M. Worland’s furniture store on Van Rensselaer ► street, two doors north of The Democrat office, and can be seen and tried by any one at ► any time. C§ll around and see it. The Banner Upright Grand will compare favorably with the very best and highest grade pianos made, and is guaranteed for ten years. The person who is successful in this contest will secure one of the finest instruments in the county. Get Started Early Get into the contest right away. An early start may mean the winning of the piano. Get a flying Start for the thing you want. You can’t afford to put this matter off a minute. Be the first in the field. The piano is going to be won by some one, and that some one may be you How to Secure the Votes ~j ; - ■ Every renewal subscription of $1.50 to The Jasper County Democrat, will entitle the subscriber to 1500 votes; each new subscription, 3,000 votes. Every issue of The Democrat until the close of the contest, December 23, 1911, will contain a coupon good for five votes. ‘ Arrangements have been made with a number of the merchants whereby coupons good for one hundred votes will be given with every dollar’s worth of cash purchase. The following merchants now have the coupons on hand:

The Following Stores Have Certificates •' < v < • Rensselaer Merchants Merchants Outside of Rensselaer CLEVE EGER, Hardware C. EARL DUVALL, Clothing and Gents Fur- PECK’S DRUG STORE nishings WORDEN’S HARNESS SHOP D. M. WORLAND, Furniture and Rugs SPENCER’S JEWELRY STORE B. F. FENDIG, Drug Store _ SAM FENDIG, Dry Goods Farr MRS. MARY MEYER-HEALY, Millinery W. L. WOOD, General Merchandise SCOTT BROS., Harness HOME GROCERY, Groceries ATV ~ JESSEN, the Jeweler AIX STORE > General Merchandise DEPOT GROCERY, Groceries Surrey B. N. FENDIG, Exclusive Shoe Dealer SURREY STORE, General Merchandise

All these coupons, whether they are obtained with subscriptions of The Democrat, with purchases at the store or are clipped from the papers, must be returned to the office within ten days of the date on the coupon and will be counted for the lady whose name is written on the blank line of the coupon. Coupons will not be given with subscriptions during this contest where the amount is less than $1.50. Address all correspondence pertaining to this contest and make all remittances payable to ‘i . j The Jasper County Democrat Rensselaer, Indiana

CYCLONE INSURANCE. There have been numerous heavy windstorms in the past week, causing enormous damage to property in other localities. Your ’ocality may be the next. Protect your property with a windstorm policy, the kind R. D. Thompson writes, and be safe.

TO FRIENDS OF THE DEMOCRAT. I Instruct your attorneys to bring all legal notices in which you are interested in or have to pay for to The Democrat, and thereby save money and do us a favor that will be much appreciated. All notices—administrator, executor, or gui-dian—survey, sale of real

estate, non-resident notices,, ditch and highway notices, etc., the clients themselves control and attorneys will take them to the paper you desire for publication, if you mention the matter to them; otherwise they will take them to their own political organs. Please do not forget this when having any legal notices to publish.