The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-05-04

10 his face; but he knew in his innermos
heart that his own harshness had drive
his daughter to that rash marriage
Margale Phillips had reaped the whirl
wind In less than a year after he
marriage, she discovered the true mora
,lineaments ofthe man for whose sake sb,
aad sacrificed home and family and for
tune.
When Stephen Keith found of a Ger
tainty that his wife's father would presis
in his displeasure, and that he couIf
count on neither favor nor fortune from
she rich man whose child he had welded
then did he meanly and cowardly wreab
MS wrath on the helpless girl woman
whom he had sworn to protect and cher
ish
Poor Margaret, She clung to him
through misfortune and poverty-clung
20 him after his persistent unkindness and
cruelty had robbed her of both tender
ness and respect for her husband She
followed him West, where Stephen Keith
went In hopes of obtaining employment
and he did so, but he was indolent.
prodigal, luxurious in his tastes. and
squandered his salary Two children
a boy and girl-were born to them. and
the delicate. luxuriously- reared and fine
" cultivated woman had a long road of
hardship, and privation, and bitter trial to
walk during those six years Of her resi-
dence in Wisconsin.
AT the end of this time her husband
sickened and died. In his last hours he
showed what he seldom or never had in
his life, some sense of Margaret's long
endurance and forbearance, and some
compunctions ofconscience for the wrong
which he had done her.
Ihere were few pleasant ties or asso
cations III her new home, and MARGARET
heith resolved after her usband's death
TO return East with her two children
ohe managed to accomplish this, rented |
solitary chamber in the city. and oh !
tanned copying from several law offices. f
and so kept her and her children from
starvation.
mr Phillips was somewhat late that
winters morning on his way to his
As he was crossing the
street,a quick cry Of warning from some
passer-by arrested his attention, and
ookIng up he saw a frightened horse.
which had broken from some carriage.
'ushlnS with terrible speed down the
street. A moment longer and he would I,
lave been on Mr. Phillips, but with a i.
pring SO sudden that his hat fell from his +.
lead, Mr. Phillips just gained the side ,
.alk before the frightened animal swept :
EIL waste narxu......=~- 9
e graspcd the old mans arm, for ne WAS d
Thite with fright and exertion. e
'.Yes, sir, the narrowest l ever had t
)ne moment more and 1 should have /
een crushed under the animals hoofs.
have lost my hiatt
.sHere it is, sir; itrolled in the gutter,
nd picked it up"
The sweet childish voice carried itself
mildly along the words; the small sweet
ace with its bright large eyes and its :
mouth like the deepest tint of some rare
ea-shell, looked out from a little plaid
lood, very much worn and very neatly +.
patched, as was the short cloak which
he little girl wore as she gave the hat
nto Mr. Phillips hand.
s.Thank YOU. little girl, struck with
he pretty childish face. Il must give
-ou something for this and slipping
lis hand into his pocket, Mr.. Philips
lrew out silver dollar. The little fin
gers in which he placed il were almost
.oo small to hold it,
"Oh, what will mamma and Dickcy
saw" murmured the child: and her
was aglow with amazement
md delight
Seems to me you are small girl to be
out alone in such crowded street,
said Mr.. Phillips, in a tone that was not
usual for him.
YES sir, am: but Dickey has cold,
md mamma must get her writing done
before night, so there was nobody but me
to carry back the papers, llsped the
small mouth.
The old gentleman still retained the
child's hand. Somehow the soft warm
touch Of the little fingers felt very pleas
ant, as the girl tottled along by his side.
Suddenly she looked up in his face, and
her expression concentrated into one OF
wonder, perplexity, establishment.
= NV ell, what is it, my child Z" said the /
gentleman, answering the little girls
look with q smile
..Aren- You grandpa z.
NV nat makes You think am grandpa?"
interested and amused
Because you look so much like the .
picture In the green velvet case mammals
got at home, and shows to Dickey and
me sometimes. and says its grandpa
What is your er's-name. child?" 7
and a sudden doubt and amazement took
possession of the soul of Richard Phil /
lips
He seemed to know the little face. |
whose bright blue ewes looked up at him 4
like another pair which long years ago he /
had laid under the sweet-smelling grasses. /.
my mothers name is Margaret Keith, /
and / am little Maggie, and Dickey is
named after grandpa, that we never saw, /
and papa was buried away out on the
prairies. ever so long ago, relating faith 4
fully. as out of q book, these prominent 4
facts of family history
Richard Phillips knew it all now. This 1
was Margaret's child. That little picture !
in the green velvet case was his own /
He remembered that she had solicited it .
of him for q birthday present, and how I.
it pleased him at the time. although his 1
daughter never suspected It. She had /
kept the picture all these years-poor 4
Margaret.
He had reached his warehouse. Ar. /
Phillips led the little wondering girl up /
the steps, over the threshold. They I
were sli alone in the room now He took .
her in his arms. The long repressed I
river Of his tenderness rose and over 4
.-.f