The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-10-30
TsgE FAEsMEss's DAUGHTER.
By FINLEY JOHNSON.

Il is cold dark. drcary morning III
the depth of winter; the keen north wind
sweeps onward. and, as tie pedestrians
feel Its sting. they wrap their garments
around them still closer. 10 protect them
from til. clements. Though al i desc.
ate withous> yet 10 some within there are
sources Of pleasure, and such is TIE case
with old farmer Hardy. as he turns from
the cheerlcss scene, and gazes upon The
comforts of his owu home. a large fire
is burning in the old chimney place,
whose glare lights up the faces OF the por
trails hanging upon the walls. and gives
glare 10 the ancient furniture in the
room.
Farmer Hardy is a man vel to do in
the world. Providence has blessed his
crops, and his Golfers are we'll flied with
gold; and yet hi; heart Is closed to the
appeals of the poor. He is blessed with
lovely daughIer-his only child-in
whom is centered the whole of his alice
tious.
She IS indeed beautiful. and as she sits
there n lie oIl chamber. by the side Of
the roaring Gre oae might fancy that she
was al angel of light wandering among
The scenes 81 earth Her hear; is always
open to the suAtrings OF the needy, and
her hands always ready t. assist their
wants, and there is not one within range
of the old farm house, bl, speaks the
praise Of Amelia Hardy.
Tie old farmer is gazing upon her
graceful form with ieeiiags of delight,
as SIZE sis by Lis side sewing, and. as he
casts a momentary glance At The frost
clus eel win low paues, he rubs his hands.
as il vxatins in his comforts, and ,x-
claim
rs bitter cold. my child
'l-s. iDd,..'i,' replied the daughter,
bu; ne i'sel it u,i
", thaak 9 i. Ils has gwen us all
, the com!e,s %. ne
'l'a'nsr, sa.d thr young girl, how
rml..-fai.!e mus, b. tho~e who have TO
loGe, 10 ire. 10 tIienI-'
!! The plI man wa :ib ,ut to reply per-
haps 10 give vent TO some words Of mere
commi segaiion. bat a. that tim a shadow
passed the window. and kllock was
shortly heard at III door. The lai;er
be- n; opened, mar clo.iiei III r~s, en-
tered
Misery was stamped upon every feature
Of his face. and poverty e. uld be seen in
every ilutter OF has latsred garments.-
What showed ro-t il, his hastily form
Was lis dim aud la5iieIest eyes Sarva-
ion aud lis train oi horror. . re PLAINLY
percepia5ie in his f-eb.e staps, einscia ed
form, and tremb.ing Voice.
If there was one thing Itu, Farmer
Hardy detestej above all others. il was to
e annoyed by Applications for assistance;
it mattered uot whether the suppliant
were worthy ornot. s
The new conner ehivered with the cold
for his clothing was too thin to protect
him from the icy wind. and he gazed up
OH the fire with feelings Of bitterness. fo,
it recalled TO him the desiituiion Of his
own home. lie turned to the oil farmer,
who was leaning back in cushioned
chair, and in tone Of agony thu, ac
costed him.
Gould YOU assist a poor man, am
out Of work, sir. | an not accus omed
to beg, but sickness and want have driven
me to H.~-~ "a "a ~s.
Il lave nothing for -you.' said the farm
er; and at the same time stirring mp the
blazing fire before him.
If it is only trife.' persieted the
maa humbl :. my fami 3 aressnryings |
can get no work, and without relief We
must die Of hunger
The heart OF Amelia WAS moved to
coinPas-iou az 'he pyo' man coD piasul.
and she regretted the cold refusal Of her
father. Rising, sha said:
Poor man! L think, father, L have
some small things which might be OF ser
vice to him. and she was about to 20 In
search of them, when the old man ex-
claimed:
Silence, girl! Be off. you vsgabond
never encourage beggars.'
Il am no beggar. sir said the shiver
ing visitor. Il am not able to go to work
now, but when spring sets in shall OBJ
tain it. and uutil that time | must have
all or perishp
Leave my h)usel begone! was the re
ply.
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