The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-06-23
RAVENNA, THURSDAY, JUNE %, 1859.

the old cartman, after pretty trying strug'
gle with the steep ascent OF California street,
reached his destination, and deposited the
table in the hall. Lingering moment, the
lady did not seem to surmise the reason, un.
til he politely informed her that her husband
(fOr such he took him to beg had probably
by accident neglected to settle for the cart
age. very wellj will pay you," said the
lady stepping into an adjoining room. She
returned, and stating that she had coin in
the house, handed the old man twenty dol
lar piece. He could not make the change.
6 Never mind-I will call Tomorrow said
he turning to 60. No, no" replied the la
dy, glancing pityingly at his white locks and
trembling limbs l will not permit you to
put yourself to SO much trouble;' and she
handed the coin to Bridget, with instructions
to see if she could get it changed at one of
the stores or markets in the neighborhood.
'Step into the parlor until the girl returns;
the air is chilly, and you must be cold,' con-
tinued the lady kindly, Come she added, as
he looked at his rough attire and hesitated !;
'there is good fire in the CRATE, and no one
there but the children
1T IS somewhat chilly replied the old
man, following her into the parlor, and ta-
king seat near the fire. perhaps ] may
find some silver in the house, said the lady
leaving the room, 'for fear Bridget will not
succeed in getting the twenty changed
'Come here, little one,' said tue old man,
holding out his hands coaxingly to the
younger of the two Children girl about
six years of age. 'Come-I love little ;hil-
dren,' and the child, who had been watching
him with curiosity from behind the large
armchair, hesitatiDgly approached.
What is your name, dear 2 Inquired the
cartman.
Maria lisped the little one.
Maria = he repeated, while the great
tears gathered in his eyes; 1 once had a
little girl named Maria, and you look very
much as she did,
did you 2 inquired the child, with in
terest; 'and was her name Maria Eastman,
too 2
Merciful God = exclaimed the old man,
starting from his chair, and again dropping
into it with his head bowed upon his breast.
This cannot be ! and yet, why not 2 He
caught the child in his arms with an eager.
ness that frightened her, and gazing into her
face until he found conviction there, sudden.
ly rose to leave the house. Il cannot meet
her without betraying myself, and dare
not tell her ! am that drunken father
who once attempted to take her life, and
perhaps lett her husband q cripple,' he
groaned, as he hurried towards the door.
The little ones were bewidered. You
are not going 2 said the mother, at that mo.
ment re-appearing, and discovering the old
man in the act of passing into the hall.
He stopped, and partly turned his face,
but seemed to lack the resolution to do
aught else. He said he had little Maria
once, that looked just like me, mother,'
shouted the child, her eyes sparkling with
de light.
The knees of the old cartman trembled,
and he leaned against the door for support.
The lady sprang towards him. and taking
him by the arm, attempted to conduct him to
chair.
'No, no! = he exclaimed, mot till you tell
me am forgiven =
Forgiven !--For what q replied the mo.
ther in alarm.
Recognize in me your wretched father,
and need not tell you !! he faltered.
My poor father = she cried, throwing her
arms around his neck; 'All is forgiven-all
forgotten =
All soas forgiven, and the husband, when
he returned late in the afternoon, was
scarcely less rejoiced than his good wife at
the discovery. Whether or not Bridget sue
ceeded in changing the double eagle, nev.
er learned /; but this do know--it took the
honest female all of two months to unravel
the knot into which the domestic affairs Of
the family had tied themselves during her
absence. Pap Ainsley still keeps his cart /;
for money would not induce him to part
with it. l peeped into the backyard of DR..
Eastman, one day, last week, and discover.
ed the old man dragging the tavorite vehicle
round the enclosure, with his four grand
children piled promiscuousIy into it.