The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-01-12
"But. he won't go. I've asked him,

her to the concerts, and every place."
s"Well, Pm not like him, Miss, and don't
want to b. He's one of your philanthro-
pIsts-hum.-prctcndiug to do great
deal for other people, and not doing any
thing worth talking about after all"
81 believe he's an excellent man, pa.
Everybody likes him, and everybody
speaks well Of him; and I'm sure kate's
one Of the happiest creatures in the
world"
"And you arc one of the most misera-
bic, L suppose"
81 don't pretend to be very happy"
Alice answers moodily, and then follows
the same cheerless silence.
After the tea-things were removed, the |
father sat down to his newspapers, and be-
tween reading these and meditating OH
plans for adding to HE large stores of un-
enjoyed wealth, spent the remainder of
tho evening. Not the slightest intercourse
did he pretend to hold with his familv.-
The social delights of the domestic circle
had no charms for him. Here, as in the
busy world, he was the selfish centre from
which Went out no radiations. Alice tried
to get interested in the pages of new
novel, but in vain. Her heart ycarned Cor
living companionsbip. And as she thought
Of Hat" Mayo, and the bright, happy fire
SIDE circle of which she made one, she
c.o#cd the boo; with sigh, and retired to
her chamber, hoping to find relief and
GucL IN the sweet oblivion a sleep.
On the same evening, a very different
scene was presented in the family of Mr..
Mayo, who, like the merchant, had one
son and daughter, now verging upon ma
turity. The supper hour had passed in
cheerful conversation, and after the fami-
ly returned to the parlor, Mr.. Mayo said,
smiling
Il must ask leave of absence for an
hour, my children. | suppose my request
will he granLed."
Il don't know, pa Kate responded,
laughing III happy, girlish tones, as she
hung upon his arm. and looked Affection
ately into his face. at will depend very
much upon the nat re Of your excuse"
':That will have to be given, then, be-
fore my request can Le grantcd!"
go, of course! Let us have the reason"
Kate said.
"Well, you know that the winter has
set in very severly!'
"lndeed, it has, pa" Kate replied, her
face at once growing serious, "AndI do
P,ty poor destitute people, tins dreadful
night"
a" few gentlemen" continued Mr..
Mayo, "had a meeting, to-day, for the
purpose of putting in operation some
measure of provision for the poor and sick
during the inclcmcnt season. 1t is well
known that every winter great suffering
Is experienced by many who do all they
can to help themselves, and who would
rather live poorly and bear many hard
ships, than become an entire burden upon
the community; who would suffer almost
everything, rather than become acknow-
ledged paupers. A little assistance to
such, in winter, would enable them to
bear up in their praiseworthy spirit of
Independence, without the extreme suf-
fering that many now endure. have
been chosen 10 draft an address TO the
public, and want an hour tonight for
thepurpose, Am now excused?" added !
the father, smiling.
I'VE were worse than heathens to saw
no., to measures of public benevolencc,
pa"
"Not more than can readily spare
from my family and professional engage
ments, Kate and 1 am sure that the
pleasure L experience from stLes acts, is to |
source Of pure delight" o.. ,... "a
81 do not doubt it, pa, and love my
father better, when think how good an
kind he is to every one. Alice Carpenter
said to me, yesterday-'O, Kate, II NV
father Was like yours, how happy should
ber "
Mr.. Mayo kissed afectionotely the
cheek of his daughter, and thon left the
room to perform the work of beneyolence
ho had assigned himself.
"Poor Alice remarked Mrs. MAYO, as
her husband closed the door after him,
"She always seems so glad to get here,
and so reluctant to 60 away" -. ISL.
ii am sure never like to 90 there"
said Kate, "Where is an atmosphere Of
cnnstraintand seltishness bout the house:
and as TO spending an evening with Alice
when her father is at home, would almost
as lief be at a funeral He sta moodly
reading his newspapers, and we must
steal away into corner, and talk in whis-
pers. Ii Alice happens to laugh little
loud. her father will rattle his newspaper
and look up so cross at her. | would
not live in that way forTthc word"'
81 don't wonder that John has no in
cnation to stay at home in the evening"
ielnsrked Edward, Kate's brother. "He
told me, last week, that lac wasn't home
at night once IN n month.
=. "Why, where does, he go'" asked
Kate. ra -.e..,i g. ... ...t' .-....,,.-r
Indeed, that's more than can tell"
Edward replied "I'ut i fear, from his
appearance and manners, that his COM
pany is not the best" II
"Poor fellow!r calculated Mrs, Mayo.
Almost drvenfrom home, and hen left I,