Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-03-01

bhng as long as possible, handed her the Sil
ver she had earned with careless but insult
ing remark. Jennie flashed with indignation
threw the money upon the counter, anc
curling her lip with scorn left the desk. A
hand touched her arm, and q kind voice
said, "Wait moment, Miss Dell" in 50 as
sured and commanding way, that she in
voluntarily paused. The gentleman stepped
up to the cashier, struck him smart blow
on the side of his face with the palm Of his
hand, tipping him over, took the vacated
stool at his desk, and by the time the fellow
had picked himself up, had balanced his &C
count, and was ready for him with the resi-
due Of his wages. Then leading the fellow
to the door by the arm, he kicked him into
the street. All this was done 80 coolly, with
so much ease and gcntlemanly decision, tina,
Jennie could take no exception to even the
last act Of the drama III a
"My store will be safe to you in future
Miss Dell, but will not put you to the in
convenience Of bringing your work. l will
send a boy for it," and directing lad to take
the lady's bundle, Mr. Brewer bowed Jennie
out Of the store before she had time to cry
or do anything more than thank him with q
glance, which, breaking from her late indig
nation, was a curious intcrmingling of pride
and gratitude. ,- s = =. -"
The incident had recalled for the hundredtt
time terrible consciousness of her inpro.
tected situation, and she felt more keenly
than ever the utter hclplessness Of poverty
Sometimes the blood Of proud ancestry
dashed to her cheeks and throbbcd at hel
temples; but the next instant woman tears
chased each other down her cheeks.
am so glad you have come, father.
have been so very lonely, and then was
fearful something had happened"
The old man bent little to kiss the eyes
of his daughter-kissing her eyes was the
emphasis of his affection-and his lips were
moistened by tear which Jennie had unwit
| tingly left there in the haste Of brushing
them away to meet his coming step.
What is this, daughter? Crying, my
child! You are not sick, dear? Why, thought
my brave girl never cried, however dark
the day might be-" and with a hand on each
shoulder the white c-haired man held the bright
faced daughter at arms length before him
gazing loving inquiries into her eyes.
Not trace of sadness was in the bcaminp
face Of the daughter now; so after meeting
his gaze laughingly moment. Jennie slipped
to his side, leaned close to his shoulder, clasp.
"Oh, nothing Of moment, father. W.
women have little foolish thoughts and troub
les of our own when we are left alone all day
But when father comes back again, Jennie il
happy enough, isn't she ?" and the girl look
ed into his face with so much of beauty and
smile, and joy, that the old man forgot tn.
dew drop which had dried on his lips, and
| went to wondering what made his daughte,
so happy. alone and hard at work in that so
Der room all day.
The father forgot the sadness sooner for
jewel of good tidings which he was holding
tight in his heart, ,longingto give it to his daugh
ter, but wondering what was the most per
feet way to show it. Whether to raise thu
lid with spring and permit the Kohinoo,
to fash with it's diamond lightning full in he1
face at once or to lift the lid gently so thai
the loved ones eyes might catch its brilliancy
ray by ray, and beam by beam. While thu
daughter was making the tea kettle cove,
dance, and then pouring sputtering water
| into the little black tea pot, in the bottom O
which very few but very nice little leaves lay
curled in fragrant eXclusiveness and concen
tration, the glad father thought the matte,
over. While the torpid little leaves warmed
into inevitable expansion by the heated floot
| the glad father continued to think it over.
! You look tired, father; you are sick,
know"
Not very, daughter"
Why, you are pale, father; you are sick
! know" av .a
1t is well that the girl dropped the plat.
from her hand, through it went down with q
crackle into fragments, for the old man wa.
| reeling out of his chair. She was Just ir
| time to save him. Without word, the daueh
ter held him moment, till she could glanc,
into his face, and then with strength which
| che could command when aroused, bore hin
to the nearest bed and laid him there.
Father Father!'' #n
Not word nor sigh of consciousness. -
Jennie bathed his temples with water, rub
bed his arms his hands, his chest, called or
him, kissed him, and wept. His lips moved
"What is it, father Y" and the daughter
ear is close by the trembling lips. II have
heard d"-faintly--'f --'from-Robert"
Robert 's-he is the voice is too faint to
be heard-the lips cease to move-the old
man is dead. No cries Of ''father, dear father!'
no chaings Of hands, no bathings of tha,
calm, snow fringed brow will ever bring back
the soul now freed at last from its cheerless
Imprisonment Of eighty years.
Straighten the stiffcning limbs, lone daugh
ter; close tighter the eyelids; he ia gone
And the secret hidden in that unfinished sen.
tence-it, too, is gone, and vainly will YOU
try to fathom its import. The blow was q
terrible one. Not alone that this was her
stay and companion, but her only support
and her only friend. Now she was alone
Alone.
When all hope of restoration was gone
Jennie stood erect little way from the bed
her head buried in her hands, and let the
tide of loss and loneness sweep over her. In
that instant of time she drank the full cur
and tasted each and every ingredient. This
made her calm. Another nature might have
sunk; she was lifted, strengthened. All the
energies of her heart came into active life
and now fearful or quiet, busy or stin, she
was the same strong, self-conscious woman
she had ever been. She was even strongc,
and more calm.
A quick step upon the stairs and careless
rap at the door. 1t was the bright faced lad
with bundle.
"Mr. Brewer says as how this is nicer
work, and you may send back the other bun,
dle," said the little. fellow boy-like, as he
came abrubtly into the room. his face beam.
ing with pleasure and exercise. "Oh, Miss
noN ~ apd tho I,,v fotl ;cto ..,o .<.:.l,..