The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1863-02-05
THE FARMERS DAUGHTER.
BY FINLEY JOHNSON.

Ii is a cold. dreary morning IN the
lepth of winter; the keen north wind
weeps onward, and as the pedestrians
eel its sting, they wrap their garments
lround them still rloser, to protect them
rom the elements. Though all is dos
olate without, yet to some within there
are sources of pleasure, and such is the
Ease with old farmer Hardy, as he turns
from the cheerless scene, and gazes up
on the comforts of his own homo. a
large fire is burning in the old Chin
ney place, whose glare lights up the ia
ccs of the old portraits hanging upon
the walls, and gives glow to the an
cient furniture in the room.
Farmer Hardy is man well to do in
the world Providence has blessed his
crops, and his Golfers are well filed with
gold, but yet his heart is closed to the
appeals of the poor. lie is blessed
with lovely daughter-his only child
in whom is centered the whole of his
affections.
She is indeed beautiful; and as she
sits there in the old chamber, by the
side of the roaring fire, one might fancy
that she was an "angel of light" wan.
dering among the scenes of the earth
Her heart is always open to the suffer
ings of the needy, and her hand always
ready to assist their wants; and there ii
not one within range of the old farm
house, but speaks the praise of Amelii
Hardy.
The old farmer is gazing upon he,
form with feelings of delight, as she sit
by his side sewing, and, as he casts 1
momentary glance upon the frost clus
tered window panes, he rubs his hands
as if exulting in his comforts and ex
claims:
"Tis bitter cold, my child"
"Yes, indeed" replied the daughter
"but we feel it not"
"No, thank God! He has given US al
the comforts of life"
"Father," said the young girl, "hoy
miserable must those be who have n,
home, no fire, no friends"
The old man was about to reply, per
haps to give vent to some words of mer
com miseration, but just at that time
shadow passed the window, and a knoc
was shortly heard at the door. The lat
ter being opened man clothed in rag
entered.
Misery was stamped upon every fea
ture of his face, and poverty could b
seen in every hutter of his tattcrcd gar
ments. Want showed its ghostly forr
in his dim and lustrous eyes. Starva
ton and its train of horrors were plain
ly perceptible in his feeble step, emac
ted form, and trembling voice.
If there was one thing that farme
Hardy detested above all others, it wa
to be annoyed by applicants for asss
ance, it mattered not whether the SUI
plants were worthy or not.
The now conner shivered with colC
for his clothing was too thin to proteC
him from the icy wind, and he gaze
upon the fire with feelings of bitterness
for it recalled to him the destitution c
his home. lie turned to the old ia
mer, who was leaning back in cusl
, ioned chair, and in a tone of agony thu
entreated him:
"Could you assist poor man2 a
out of work, sir. | am not accustomt
to beg, but sickness and want have dri
en- me to il"
II have nothing for you" said Il
farmer; at the same tiuie stirring up &
blazing FIRE before him. -
Of "Ifit is only triAssS persisted {
.. man humbly, "my family are Fstarvin
l can get no work, and without rel
we must die of hunger"
The heart of Amelia was moved
compassion at the poor mans complain
and she regretted the cold refusal of b
|
father. Rising, she said:
"Poor man l think, father, 1 ha
some small things which might be
service to him." and she was about
.. 90 in search of them when the old m
;" exclaimed:
"Silen ce, grill BE off, you vagabo
Il never encourage beggars."
~ am no beggar, sir" said the sh
ering visitor. 81 am not able to
work now, but when spring sets in
nd shall obtain it, and until that tim
must have aid or perish"
"Leave my housel begone" was t
reply.
The poor man departed with sorr,
n a A -