The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-03-03
Seltet gtOrp.
THE TROUBLESOME NEICE,
OR.
OPENING A HARDENED HEART.

she get married and go about her buslnessF
plague on her say. Just because my siste
chose to marry jim Owen, and then die, an
leave this girl behiud, must take the thing an
provide for it. What fool was ever to te
my sister I'd see to her child. Why here wi
be my house turned topsy turvy, and everythin
like peace fly out the windows. And then
suppose the first thing I'll find her spendin
money Not pennv-no-not one by tn
host she don't touch penny of mine. And
'ehe stays here she will do my sewing to pay 70
house room, and do my cooking and washing
TO pay for her vctuals. A plague on the poo
neices."
thus spoke Absalom, and then he sat dowl
and stuck his feet close up to the fire. Absalon
Burr was perfect mlser. His face was deeply
furrowed by the hand Of passing time. and it
lines we're hard and cold. His clothes wer
old and patched, and his shoes, even, were sadly
in want Of mending
The cold breath of winter was close at hand
and vet the only fuel be had was such as he hac
been able to pick up by the roadside, and the
edge Of the pond. The house in which he liyec
was but poor hovcl with only two rooms, and
with furniture more fit for fire wood than any,
thing else. There were four windows in the
house, and every spare rag Of clothing he owned
was in use for the replacing of broken panes
And vet Absalom Burr was worth fifty thou
sand dollars, though he contrived to be taxed
for only about ten thousand, which was invest
ed in houses in the town. He was never known
to obestow a penny in charity though many poor
and suffering fellow creature had begged for as
sistance at his hands. Alone had he lived Tor
many long year and his heart was all harden
ed and closed up against every kindly teellng'
He spent his time in attending to his rents, pick
ing up wood and rags by the wayside, and
counting over his meney at home.
On Monday evening near the last OF Novem-
Der, the stage stopped in front of AbSalom'S
hut. and Young female was helped out by the
driver, and a trunk and band-box put down al
ter her. The old man had not seen her for ten
years, but he remembered how his sister had
looked when she was a girl, AMI here was Ger
exact image Katc's mother was the only SIS
ter he ever had, and thus Kate was the only
near relative he had living. The girl helped to
carry her own trunk in, and as soon as she re-
moved her bonnet, she threw her arms about
his neck and kissed him He started back at
this, and a severe look passed over his face.
Kate Owen was pretty girl, and she had
left behind her not one acquaintance who did
not love her. She was short, plump laughter
loving being, with brown hair and hazel eyes,
and when she laughed the dimpcS deepened in
her checks and chin, and the dark curls shook
about her fair temples. In fact, one look at her
face was as good as medicine for the blues and
the ring of her merry laugh was contagious.
"My dear uncle" she said, after she had seat
ed herself at the fire, care you not glad I've
,ceme?"
"Well-yes; shouldn't want you to be with
out home But tmind-you are to help me-
You won't be an expense to me"
"Of course won't. Why, I'll return you
tenfold. How snug and happy we will be this
winter. You won't be here all alone to hear
the wind blow and the hail thump and rattle
against the windows. And I shall feel better
too, thar Ishould il was away among strangers.
"Bnt you've got to go among strangers some
time. You can't expect that you are going tc
find a home here always"
"Ob, no, dear uncle; but while I do stay,
will try and make you happy"
And in like tone did she address the old misei
under all circumstances. Ere long she asked
her uncle where she could find the materials oI
supper; she confessed that she was hungry.
n eat some bread and cheese when am hun
gry," he told her.
"But havn't you any tea? or any -four? or any
butter?'
"There may be a little butter" said the ole
man reluctantly; "but don't think there's an
-four and tea is something don't use"
'But you love it, unclc?"
'Why, yes-but it costs too much"
"And sugar-have you any OF that?'
''No; get along very well without it."
"1hen YOU wait a few minutes, and I'll rui
out and get some. saw store as came by
only few rods back from here"
And as she spoke she put on her bonnet ant
shawl
"But don't have any account at the store,
uttered the old man, carfully. "They won
trust me-"
"Never mind Ihavc the money. Just yov
sec to the fire, and mind that the teakettle boils
And thus speaking, Kate ran out. In abou
fifteen minutes she returned; and in her arm
she bore quite little heap consisting ola pack
are of tea, some sugar, a small new tin pail ful
of milk, and so on
Her next movement was to hunt Up the bread
She found loaf Of bakers bread and having Gu
IL into slices, she placed it near the fire to toas
Then she moved out the old table, and after tn
leaves were raised she inquired for the table
cloth, but the old man had none But she wa
prepared for this and more too. In her trun
she not only found the cloth, but also creal
pitcher, sugar bowl and a few other articles
like description, which she had kept as remen
brances Of her mother. The white cloth wa
spread, the dishes put on, and then Kate hunte
up the stew-pan. This she cleaned, and haviu
Axed it on the fire, she prepared dip for tf
toast, which she made Of butter, milk end waite
shicksned with little -four. She found ABS
hms sRhss hidden away Ia various places,