Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1881 — HIS OWN DAUGHTER. [ARTICLE]

HIS OWN DAUGHTER.

. ’‘Dear mother, it is the best .thing, after all, that could have happened; it is so much better than anything I dared to hope for. Because, if I had not fallen and sprained my ankle, I would not have lost my place in the store, and if it had not been for losing my place there I would never have gone all over the city hunting another situation, and if I had not been in so many places, and—if starvation hadn’t stared us in the face, I would qever. have'done so desperate, a thing, and we would still ba trying to keep body and soul together on the poorly paid, health-destroying labor—a poor sales- 1 woman's wages.” “Tell me all about it, dear,” said Mrs. Smith, dropping her thin. 'hands-on the work ovpr which she had bint wearily all day. “First let me put this endless sewing away, mpther. These poor," dear bands may rest a little now, for lam going to get $lO a week, and will only be away from you four or five hours each day. I shall have time for ever so much sewing besides, and you can just rest and grow strong once more. I received my first weekls wages in,advance. See here—” and she cut the cord that bound a bundle, and out on the table rolled several smaller parcels. “I brought the money home in a shape we could anpreuiate beet; at least—all there was left after paying the banker. Now, mother, dear, t amgoing to be extravagant and make an extra good cup of “But, Nellie, my child, you have tfot told me=—” ... “I know, mother,” broke in the blithe voice, “but you «ee, I havens forgotten that it is nearly noori,' and we have had no breakfast yet. There now—” giving the lire a vigorous poke; that set the tea tp steeping, ‘tyou see. mother,'! was just discouraged. I bad been to every store, millinery and drcss-making establishment .that I knew Of, and received the same, answer: ‘No more help needed,’ to all my inquiries, and, as I said, 1 was desj»erate. Just as I turned the corner of Blecker ’street, I saw a man being helped out of his' carriage; such a splendid carriage, mother. He was not a very old man, but looked as though he wAs almost gone with con»sumption.’ 1 went straight up to him. hardly realizing what I was doing,, and -asked hi iu it he knew where I could get employment of, some kind. At first he looked angry, as though he ‘ thought my impudence unbearable, but when he saw my face he stood still* and looked at me ns though he had seen a ghost. Aflena moment he said: “ ‘Yes,' I will engage you to come to my home every day at iO'o’dfock, and read or write for me, as.l desire* until 3. 1 will pay you MO a week for your •er vices.’ “Then he handed me his card, on which I read,“Hon. C. Hewitt, No 42 Leonard street,’ and I remembered, that cue of thegirls had once pointed his beautiful residence out to me. “ ‘Il the situation And terms are satisfactory, you will please accept one week’s wages in advance, and coine to-morrow at 10 o’clock.’ *}Aiid he held out the money, which only t*>o glad to take.” ’ “ Were you not a little hasty, daughter? ’ asked the mother, anxiously. ‘‘You- knew nothing of- this man.” ’ “I know this, mother, that we are starving, and that the money was our only salvation; besides it all occurred so quickly that I hardlv realized what had happened. Some how It seemed . a.** though some overruling providence was guiding me in spite of my self. “G id grant that it may be so,” said her mother. - / And now, while Nellie and her mother an enjoying their dinner, let us cast a has v look Into. Mrs. Smith's past life. Her pa repts having , died when she was young, her obildhood and-girih->od was pa.<fcd hi the drear/ monotony of her aunts house —a home which was grudgingly offered her,*' where-food, clothing and education v. ere dealt out to where never a word or look of love was- bestowed’ upon her. : What wonder that, when CLnml Smith, oi.e •of her aunt’s summer lx>arderi», became interested in girl’s, pretty and shy sweet.face,, and told her the old. old story, her yearning heart responded with a passionate love/ . Her aunt, being only too glad to have, the girl's support fall on other shoulder.-, consented to the union, and on? evening there was a quiet .wedding at ] the little cottage. Then billowed weeks of hanpiJesS : for the jprl whose life Itad been so lonelv ! until one evening her husband eameto her with a troubled look, and told har i that his only relative, a rich uncle ih* England, was very, sick and had sent for him to come immediafely, and, taking hisy< ting wife in bis arms, he soothed her with foud words, saving: “I dare not take yob with me. darlihe. Uncle George was very angry when my mother married a man with such a plebeian name. Of all' names, Smith* he cytirns. stands at the very bottom.- Uncle George never forgave my mother; but when both toy parrents died, leaving me alone, he appointed ajguardian for me,kept me well supplied with funds, aud now .that he •is dying I must go to him;, but I will return soon as possible to my little wife.” - J And so he left her, with plenty of of money w but with an aching heart, and she had never seen him since. Troubles had seemed to muliply after that. .A contagious disease broke out m their town, and carried off whole families. Her aunt fell a victim, but she escaped and came to the city, hoping to hud employment by which to support herself. She had a small sum of money left, with which she purchased a little cottage, and here Nellie was born. .The roses bloomed once more on Ne.lies cheeks, and. her step grew weeks advanced. She hked her employment, and, above all, she liked ber employer. -Many substantial evidences of his kindness had found their-way to the little cottage, and many an extra dollar bicT found its way to Nellie’s pocket. ~ -“ • As his face grew thinner and bis step slower,be teemed to turn to the young gin for sympathy, and the sound of

her sweet voices and the touch of her cool hand, had power to soothe him. to rest, when all else had failed. He often watched her aa aba moved about the room, in ber bright cheerful way, with • strange Wist fa 1 look In bis fading ayes- - * One morning,ws she took her seat by his couch, he laid his thin, transparent band on ber own, saying as he did ho: ■ “I feel thatlhave but a few more hours of life,and I wish to' talk to Sou,” and he sniffed almost sadly as e met her startled glance. “Yes,” he continued slowly. I shall soon he gone, and there will be no one to truly mourn for me. unless it be the little girl I have taken such an unaccountable interest in. You will miss me, Nellie’” For an answer she bowed her bead over her clasped bands and wept. He waited a few moments, then taking one little palm in his hands and caressing it tenderly, said: “No doubt you have often wondered that 1, a perfect stranger, should have given you employment without question or reference. I canbardly tell why I did so myself. Perhaps it was a look on that pitiful young face so like a dear face I used to love. “ I have carried the memory of that face all through life. I had only been married a few Weeks when I was summoned to Engl aud, and when I returned I found the house where I bad left my dear one deserted, and Was told that she was dead. “My uncle, at his death, left me his property /providing that I would take his name, but oh !It has been a long, sad Hte without my darling. I have taken a strange interest in you, and my heart seems to cling to you in my last hours. I have taken care of your future, dear, and there, is neither wife nor child, mother of sitter to question theYight of the will I have made in your behalf,. Somehow, since I have carried out my intentions respecting you I feel so peaceful; as though there is nothing left -undone, and I am ready to go.” »• z He wasintenupted by a fit bf coughng which lasted so long that Nellie was frightened. After she had laid him back on his pillow she saw his lips move, but the words were so low that she had to bend over him to hear them. “When I am-gone, Nellie, open this little ebony cabinet. Inside you will find my wife’s picture. You may look at it, but I want It buried with me.” . He lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes wearily. A strange calm stole o>r his features and an icy chill crept Into the bands clasped in hers—a chill thateenta thrill of horror to her heart. She bent over him and spake bis name oh; so tenderly—but he heard not the yofing voice. He had passed forever beyond its reach. The next day. as he lay in his coffin, Nellie opened the little casket and took out the picture he had treasured. ■ Oping to the window, she opened the case, looked upon the sweet, girlish flee smiling One. moment, then a q6lck, gasping Fry' escaped her lips, and she fell into the anus of an attendant. The -face of her dead friend’s lost wife was the face of ber mother. ‘ 1