The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-15

Heart, VI ueiay mo o~eS 80 a..
His mind was drawn into itself, and lik
an unculliva,ed field, was LEFT 10 all the oai
renne.s Of desolation. Such is always tn
case when the man, by his own acts, shut
himself out from his kind, foregoes .hei
sympathy and kind Offices, and virtuali!
says, 81 am sufficien, unto myself"
Martin had one child, a girl, named Flor
ence. A, the time Of the death OF he
mother, she was bu, six years Of age. III
had loved her, perhaps, as much as u wa
in his power to love any one and as ions
as she remained with him, he did not with
draw himself 40 entirely from human com
panionship. Blu, at the age OF seventeen
years she became acquainted with yount
mana mechanic-in whose favor her Of
iec,ions were enlisted. He proHessd fo
her hand, but her father, in whom low. -o
gold was strong, on account Of htyENv,
drove him with scorn from hiSdook --'
The young man was not 10 be baulkee
thus. He conirived 10 meet Florence SO
crelly. and aher while persuaded her 't
iorsake her home and unite her fortunes will
his-wilh the less difficulty, since ,ha
home offered but few attractions 10 one o.
her age. Her ia,hers's indignation was ex'
,reme. All advances towards reconciliation
on the part Of the newly welded pair, were
received with The bitterness Of scorn, which
effectually prevented their repetition
From that time, Martin Kendrick settled
down into the cold, apa,hetic and solitary
existence which has been described above
Gradually the love Of gain blolied out from
his memory the remembrance OF his chill
dren, whom he never met. They had re-
moved from the city, though he knew It no.
and the total wan, Of in,eres, which he dis
played respecting them, discouraged any
idea they nigh, have entertained Of inform
ing him.
"Il's cold night" quo,h Martin to him
self, as he sa, before the least glimmerine
which could be decently called FIRE, ir
the apartment which he occupied. He cas-
a wis,ful glance toward pile OF wood
which lay beside the gra,e. He liiled one
and poised it for moment, and glancing
meanwhile al the fire, as IL he was debating
in his mind whether he had bes, place i
on. He shook his head, however, a, il i
were too great piece Of cxtravagance 'o
be thought Of, and softly laid il back. He
then moved his chair nearer 10 the fire, as
il satisfied that this would produce the addi
,ional warmth without the drawback OF ex'
pense.
1t was, indeed, cold night. The chill
blasts, swep, with relentless rigor through
The streets, sending travellers home with
luickened pace, and causing the guardians
,f the public peace, as they stood at their
appointed stations, 10 wrap their overcoals
more closely about them. On many a
hearth the fire blazed brightly, in composed
lefance oflheir insidious visitor, who shuns
he abodes Of opulence, but forces his un'
entry into the habi,a,ions OF the
poor.
Alchild, thinly clad, was roaming through
he streets. Every gust, as j, swept along,
,hilled her through and through, and at
eng,h, unable 10 60 farther, she sank down
!, the portal OF Martin Hendricks dwelling.
Extreme cold gave her courage, and with
Trembling hand, she liNed The huge knock
Or. I, fell rom her nerveless grasp, and
he unwonied sound penetrated into the
-oom where Martin sat covering over his
eeble fire. He was startled-,erriied even
AS that sound came 10 his eats, echoing
through the empty rooms in the old house.
"Who can it be- Robbers !" thonght
he, as he walked 10 the door. "I will wal,
md see il it be repeated"
IT was repeated.
"Who's there p' he exclaimed, in a
somewhat ,remulous voice, as he stood
with his hand upon the latch.
Its me-" said low, shivering voice
rom without.
"And who's me ~
"Floy, little Floy," was the answer.
"And what do you want here this time
,f nighlW
"l am freezing. Let me come in and
ii, by the FIRE, ifonly moment. shall
die upon your steps"
The old man delibera,cd.
"You're sure you're no, trying 10 get in
lf,er my mOney-what little have! There
sn't anybody with you is there !"
"No one. There is only me. o, sir, do
e, me in |. / am so cold' %
The bolt was cautiously Withdrawn,
md Martin, opening crack, peered forth
'uspiciously. Blu, the only objec, that met
his gaze was little girl, often years OF age,
,rouching on the steps in way 10 avail
herself OF the natural warmth she had.
"Will you 10, mo como imp said she
"You had better 60 somewhere else.
haven't much Of a fire. ! don't keep
much, i, burns ou, fuel so fast. You had
better so where they keep better fires"
30, sir, the least Gre will relieve me SO
much; and | haven't strength TO so any
'ar,hcr."
swell, you may como in-ifyou're sure
you haven't come 10 steal anything"
az never steal; it's wicked"
"Umph! Well, hope you will remem-
Der il. This is the way"
He led her into lille room which he
She sprang to the fire, little in.