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

gave the room very cosy and comfortable
appearance ;-and little Floy took consider.
able credit to herself for the meiamorphosis.
"what will he say!" thought she. al
wonder IL he will bo pleased!" 4"
It was but few minutes after this change
had been affected, that Martin came in. It
was about 3 o'clock, sooner than Floy had
expected him; but he had thought thu. she
might require the materials early, in order
to make preparations for the evening meal.
As he opened the door, ho started back
in surprise at the changed appearance Of
the room. It occurred TO him for momcnt
that no had strayed into tho wrong place
but the sight Of Floy sitting at the window
treasured him, and no won't in.
"What Ia all. .ihis - hA- ;.1.ired In
bcwildsred tone.
Floy enjoyed his 'urpris,. sho told him
in what mannrr she had affected the change,
and asked him II he did not like il. Hc
could not do otherwise than to answer in
the affirmative, and in truth IN unusual
sense of comfort came over him, as he sat
down and looked about him.
Floy had taken possession Of tho flour,
and was already kneading il.
"Now," said she, after this was done,
al must put itdown by the fire TO rise
That will not take long, and then IL will bc
ready to bake"
"IIave you got any shirts for moi" she
inquired after while.
"Yes," said Martin, recollecting himself,
and unrolling bundle which he had placed
on the table. "Thcro are half dozen for
you to begin on, and II you do them well
you can have somo more"
Floy looked pleased.
"Now," said she, 81 shall have some.
thing to do when you arc away"
"You like to bo doing something f" said
Martin, inquiringly.
80 yes, | can mt bear to DO idle"
Martin did not 60 out again that afternoon.
About six o'clock, Floy set tho table,
and placed upon It plato Of warm cakes,
which might have pleased the palate of on
epicura. 1t was the bcs, meal the miscr had
tasted for years, and ho could not help con.
Tossing It TO himself. FIoy was gratifcd at
the appetite with which he ate.
Thus matters went on. The presence Of
the little girl seemed to restore Martin to q
part of his former self. He was no longer
so grasping, SO miserly as before. Through
little FIoy's ministry, he began to have more
OF relish for the comforts Of life, and less
to grudso the expenses necessary to obtain
them.
I, was no, many weeks before he fell
sick, in consequence OF imprudent exposure
to the rain. A fever Sc, in, and he was con-
fined to his bed. A, the urgen, solicitation
Of Floy. he consented TO have n physician
called. though no, without something OF re-
luclance at thonght OF The fee.
Then it was ,ha, he began 10 appreciate
more fully the Importance OF Floy's services
Ever ready 10 minister 10 his wants, no one
could wish more faithful or attentive nurse.
As she sat by his bedside in The long days
through which his sickness was pro,racicd,
busily engaged with her sewing, he would
lie for hours, watching The motions OF her
busy fingers with pleasant interest. Oc-
casionalIy, for he had nothing else 10 do, his
mind would wander back to the scenes Of
his early manhood, and he would sigh over
the recollection Of the happiness which
nigh, have been his. Then his thoughts
would be borne along the dreamy years
which had in,ervened, unlighled by tho rays
Of friendship, and uncheered by the pros
ence OF affection. The image Of his daugh.
ter, whom he had cas-, of, and OF whose af.
ter fate he knew nothing, came mp before
him, and he could no, repel il. A change
"a beneficial and salutary change was
coming over his mind =, the fruit Of those
long, involuntary hours Of sickness and self
conmuning.
On the frs, day succeeding his recovery
he invited Floy TO go out with him. I, was
an unusual request, and Floy hardly knew
wha, to make OF il. She got her bonnet,
however, for shawl she had none, and com.
piled. !, was chilly March day, and the
thin dress which she had worn from the
time OF her coming 10 Hendricks was bu, an
i'll protection against the weather, she shiv-
cred involun,arily.
"You are cold," said Martin, "bu, you
will no, need 10 go far"
He led the way into dry goods store.
"Have you any warm shawls suitable for
little girl" he inquired. He selected one
and paid for il. "Show me some dress pat |
terms" he continued.
Two different, ones were chosen. Martin
paid for them.
"Can you direc, me-" ho inquired, "io
any good dress makcr's!"
The clerk. who had a, frs, been inclined
10 laugh a, the old men, whose attire though
warmer was no better looking than Floy's,
bu, the promp,ness with which he had paid
for his purchases, and the glimpse which
had in ,hi, way been obtained Of we'll
filed pocke, book, inspired him with a feel.
inc oirespec', and ho readily complied with
his request.
"NOw,' said Martin chccrfully 10 Floy,
1--WE will have you a little better dressed, so
iha, you need no, fear the cold"
w am sure" said Floy, gratefully, "iha,
am much obliged, and / don't. know how
can repay you"