The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-05-23

% the sorrow of that time! said the
old man, weeping again. To forget it,
and to retrieve my fallen fortunes, made
a voyage TO the East Indies. |, would
take all night TO tell you what chances be-.
fell me on sea and land. Let all that
pass. II is enough TO say that, after an
absence Of twenty years, returned with
broken he alth poor as when went abroad.
Then commenced a search for my child;
but her grandparents had been dead many
years-she had been thrown upon the
world. could 6nd no one to tell me
what had become Of her-no one who
remembered her event. .4+ ~.
And is it so necessary to your happi-
Upton. 'Consider--how changed she is
by this time, il indeed she lves!'
Il have thought Of that sighed Roger.
: But 0. she was the sweetest girl. II
could but find her as | left her-still a
child--then--,hen my cup Of happiness
would be full!'
The merchant arose, smiling, noble.
browed. radiant with the inspiration that
filled him.
Have faith he cried--'have faith. and
miracles may yet be performed. have
power to do you good beyond anything
you have yet conceived Of Speak the
word, and il ska all be done. Shall restore
your cnild?' h7
He looked and spoke like y prophet.
The old man was thrilled and awed. His
lips moved with feeble murmur; and on
the instant, open few door at the mer.
chants touch, and into the full flooding
light which streamed from the astral globe
stepped the graceful form of young girl.
fresh, and beautiful. and glad. with bright
curls rippling all over her fair head and
neck.
My own ohild-my own Edith cried
out the onder.s,ruck old man. But
butt cannot be- he faltered. sinking
back upon the chair from which he had
risen, in the excitement Of the moment
it cannot be!'
Look at her. said the merchant, 'and
have faith.' ~ ie9 u
The old man looked again. Those
melting blue eyes. that sweet and cherry
mouth. those dimpled cheeks, the fair.
white brow and demure chin--every
feature was his child's his Ediih's! Ye, il
was not his child that stood before him;
else she was something more than human;
else she was an sppari,ion that might at
any time vanish into air.
who are you, darling?' he asked, in
broken accents.
Lam Edith Johnson said the child,
with bashiuf smile.
The old man took her in his arms. and
bowed his face over that lovely head, and
sobbed out his emotion.
Il understand il now!' he said. speaking
with an effort. This is my child s child.
my Edith's Edith! And my Edi,h-,he
woman. the mother, where is she?'
Already a slender female form was
kneeling at the old mans feet; affection.
ate lips kissed his hands, affectionate eyes
bathed them in warm tears!
sFather--father!'
The kneeler looked up. 1t seemed his
own lost wife thst had come up out Of the
past TO embrace him there again!
o lime! o miracle Of life! o won drous
divine law! ever working in the broad day
and in the secrecy and silence Of night
when we wake and when we sleep, tine
saale-pushing forward the germ into the
plant, from the plant producing flower and
fruit, and from flower and fruit evoking
new germs-creating all things new, each
hour and each moment in the day-pa-
rent and child, forever! "1-'
Such thoughts whirled and burned in
the old mans brain as daughter and
grand ID aughter lay in his arms. and his
hot tears rained down upon the hair.
How Is it that never found you before.
dear father7' asked Mrs. Upton-for she
was the merchants wife. 'How have
longed to hear from you--to know il you
were alive. Itboughtyo you must have died
in some foreign land, but when my good
husband, here, came home this evening.
and told me he had seen an old man who
called himself Roger Johnson. something
said to me. deep in my soul, that it was
you. told him OF this scar upon your
cheek-he had observed it, and we no
longer had a doubt but you were. indeed. .
my father. How wished 10 accompany
him when he went back to find you. But
he said the truth must be disclosed to you
carefully and by degrees. for he .hought
you i'll and feeble; so have waited pa.
|tiently for this moment, when ! could
safely throw myself q, your iee,. aud call
YOU ta,her!' sai zzyseu sr8 {.
Il, is not q. dream? it is all ,resl--you
are, you are my ohild?' said the excited
old man. o God be thanked! God be
Ithanked!' s iaa issi.ss Tsrs.
'Amen!' responded the generous .heart-
ed merchant, looking on with glis,ening
f|s.f E-. 81 H.sf4
.Dont weep. father!' pleaded Edith,
weeping herself the while. Your trials
are all over.' i 30 hs,a sEf 81
You have every wish OF your heart
and all you have to do, is 10 be perfectly
happy added her husband. So
Yes. yes!' said the olt man. Bul
why,-he patted his grandchild's s cheek
with tender playfulness- did you
tell me your name was Edith Johnson7
That is my name.' replied the young
girl--' Edith Johnson Upton. And il yor
are my grandfather. ! am 90 glad! | shal
love you so machl' sas.ssEs..
| Il shall be afraid 10 60 to sleep TO night.
mpsed the old man. ..for fear that when