Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-03-02

following, a gentleman having purchased
small marble-top table at an auction room
opposite, proffered to the old man the job
Of carrying it to his residence, on Stockton
street. Not wishing to accompany the car
rier, he had selected the face probably Civ
ing the best assurance Of careful delivery of
the purchase.
Furnished with the number of the house,
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 surmise the reason until he
politely informed her that her husband (for
such he took him to be) had probably by
accident omitted to settle for thecarriage
"Nerywell will pay you" said the lady,
stepping into an adjoining room. She re-
turned and, stating that she had no small
change in the house, handed the man a
twenty dollar piece.
He could not make change. "Never
mind, | will call Tomorrow" he said turn
mo, mol" replied helady, glancing pity
ingly at his white locks and trembling limbs.
Il will not put you to so much trouble, "
and she handed the coin to Bridget, with
the 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 re-
turns the air is chilly, and you must be
cold, continued The lady. Come" she
added, as he looked at his attire and hes
itated, there is Il 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 ia
! king a seat near the fire.
b'Dnrba,S | find uil,o,, Ia Ia,
house." said the lady, leaving the room,
''for fear Bridget will not succeed in get
ting the twenty dollar piece changed"
"Comc-I love little children" and the
child who had been watching him with cou-
riosity ran behind the large arm chair, and
hcsitatingly approached. "What is your
name, dear?" inquired the cartman.
Maria lsped the little one.
Maria" he repeated, while the great
tears gathered in his eyes II once had a
little girl named Maria, and you look very
much like she did !"
Did you?' inquired the child with
seeming interest, ''and was her name Maria
Eastman, too2'
"Merciful God !" exclaimed the old man,
starting from his chair and dropping into it
with his head bowed upon his breast. This
cannot be and yet, why not?'
lie caught the child in his arms with an
eagerness that frightened her, and gazing
into her face until he found conviction there,
suddenly rose to leave the house, II cannot
meet her without betraying myself and !
dare not tell her that | am that drunken
father who attempted to take her life, and
perhaps left her husband IA cripple" he
groaned, as he hurried towards the door -
The little one was bcwildercd you are
not going'' said the mother, rcappearing
and discovering the old man in the act Of
leaving the hall.
lie stopped and apparently turned his
face, bat seemed to lack the resolution to
do aught else
He said he had a little Maria once that
looked just like me, mother" shouted the
child, her eyes sparkling with delight
The knees of the old cartman trembled,
and he leaned against the door for support.
! The lady sprang toward him, took him By
! the arm, attempted to conduct him to chair,
"No, uo!" he exclaimed, mot till you
! tell me am forgiven y
Forgiven for what" replied tn,
mother i'll alarm.
, Recognize in me your wrc,chcd father
and need not tell you - he iatercd.
My poor father" she cried, throwing
her arms around his neck, ''all is forgiven
all forgotten ~
All was forgiven, and the husband, whci
he returned late in the afternoon, wa
scarcely less rcjoiccd than his good wife Il
the discovery. Whether or not Bridge
!, succeeded in changing the double eagle,
, never learned but this | do know, it tool
b, the honest female all of two months to un
, ravel the knot into which the domestic lamil
had tied themselves during her absence.
"Pap Ainslcy'' still keeps his cart, 70
money will not induce him to part with it
pccpcd into the back yard of Dr. East
man 5, one day last week, and discovers
=, the old man dragging the tavoritc vchicl
: round the enclosure, with his four gran,
children piled promsculously into it,