Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-05-19

y
and gentleman entered the room throug
the window. go.
1t was Jessie Mallet and Mr.. Dick Hal,
Fora moment they both stared at th
unexpected visitor in surprise, the next me
ment Jessie gave low cry, and sprung fol
ward.
| "FatherT s - 81
/ Richard Mallet's arms were folded o.
his breast his face was cold and unmoved
but at that one word his arms opened, an,
he strained her to his heart.
Mr.. Dick Hale disappeared.
"Thou amt forgotten my face, then 2
said Richard, looking down at his daugh
Ter. "That's well. Ididn't know but hoY
you might
Though he spoke coldly his lip tremblet
so he could scarcely articulate.
s'Thou art changed since we met, girl
Instead of my poor lame lass, 1 find tn,
a lady grown" He scanned her over a
arms-length. a
81 want to know now whether you ar,
still my own child or not; 1 want to know
whether they have changed your heart a.
as your dress. Stay; don't speak yet
you may repent it. l have question
to ask you; 1 want 10 know whether
you will leave these people, and coms
home to your mother and me-that':
the. proof | want as to whether you arc
still my child" w
Jessie's eyes fell. There was something
go cold and stern In her fathers voice, il
made her heart shrink. 81,
"Think before you speak; there's much
depends upon it. Are you ready to leave
these friends, and cast your lot with me
Are you prepared to live with those who
are not clever and polished, but rough, un-
educated people! There is deal to loose
but think there is ssomething TO gain. We
can give you love, Jessie, such as you may
never fiud else He suddenly stopped.
"Answer me, my lass, which is it to be-
go or stay~
"rl 90, father" @
He loved her still; his last words had
decided her in a moment.
you'll go? and will you conten:edly I?
Will you 60, feeling you amt ashamed o
them you'll have to live with ~ :
( "Fatheri why do you put these cruel
questions to me? 1 have prayed to God
to bring us together every night of my
life. Ashamed! oh, you forget ! am your
chtidf" EHa3 ''
Jessie hid her face in her hands, and
wept. i @ '''
2 aYou say you amt ashamed of me-"
said Richard with a strange expression
gathering over his face. 'Then tn put
your words to the test. Look at this hand !;
it's rough and hard with labor; my boots
are thick and ugly; the linen on my back
is course; my coat is badly cut; / don't
look like a gentleman-anybody may see
that. Now, If you amt ashamed of me,
common-looking as I be, take me out
through that window on to the lawn
amongst those people, and tell them Pm
your father. Dare you do if Dare you
own me before 'em all Speak out l-'
Jessie turned deadly pale, and spasm
passed over her face. What was it ber
father asked? 1t was too much-too
much. A hundred things forbadeit: Mrs.
Hale's pride, the opinion other friends,
and-worse than all Dicks woris that
very day. She stood dumb and terrified.
Her father saw her irresolutiou, and bis
breath came quick. $50 oTze7
"You've had time to think. Dare you
do its" ,sr - e,i 'F
There was momsnt's silence, and then
the struggle was at an end. She had
counted the cost and had triumphed. She
passed her hand over her brow, and said:
Yes, father, l dare. Come!" .baes
She had reached the window, when her
step faltered. Before her was the gay and
brilliant assembly. She stood spelI-bouud
at the sight, and shiver passed over her.
"Ycu can't then, you can't do it" whis-
pered Richard hoarseiy: without another
word, be stepped back, and turned, and
left her alone. - .-l- Z ss@ p's
But ere he had gone FIVE PAGES from her
Jessie was at his side: "Father, forgive me;
have no fear" ass - sf. : azs,f
She pat out her hand, looked up into
his face radiant in her love, and led him
straight to the window. The next mo-
ment they stood in the garden before all
the people. a '-
Every eye was fixed on the young girl
as she crossed the lawn with her compan-
ion, and walked upto the tent where Mr..
and Mrs. Hale and party of their friends
Canterbury grandees, and quiet old folks
who did not danee1 were sitting. -
"Who has Miss MaIlet got with her?"
"What a singular proceedingp ais she
escorting one Of the gardeners to the tent2"
asked the young people on the lawn.
Regardless Of all comments, Jessie new
sr stopped till she had reached the tent
where her hostess sat. .~iss I.His
Then, and there, in few simple words,
she made known her father to Mrs. Hale.
A buzz Of astonishement rose up around. |
Mrs. Hale looked bewildered and confused
but, ere Jessie had done speaking, Mr.. Hale
Was at her side. - ,ss
"This is your father, Jessie. is it9 Then |
| am glad to make his acquaintance. -
Mr. Hale held out bis hand to Richard.-t
I have only seen you once before, Mr..
Aallet (it was when you, uncle died,) but
| have not forgotten your behavior then"
Mr.. Hale's prompt manner had spared
.nything like scene, and relieved every
,ne at once.
aSir, thank you; that's kindly said
-but let me explain how came to in
rude myself here" Richard stood erect
ind unembarrassed, with his hat of, 81
tint man to intrude myself anywhere,
,ut l had reason for coming here, which |