The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-01-04
FOR FATHERS HONOR.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

hSN IL Woula Uo y! saIu S1T OteTliAS.
looking up from the morning paper, with
a most unpleasant expression upon his
face.
"What is genef" asked his wife.
"My money is gsne?" answered Mr..
Sterling, fretfully.
"What money!"
"That money I was foslish enough to
lend Mr.. Granger"
"Why do you say that7"
"He's dead" replied Mr.. Sterling
celdly.
| dead |"
The wifs's voice was full Of surprise
and pain. Ssrrow ovsrshadowsd her
face.
"Yss, gone, and my mepey with him.
Here's notice eff his death. was sure
when [ saw him go away that he'd never
csme back, except in his coffin. Why
will doctors send their patients from home
to die
"Pesr Mr.. Granger Poor little or
phans sighed Mrs. Sterling. What
will they do?'
"As we'll without him as with him"
was the anfeeling answer Of her hus band,
who was emily thinking of the three hun
dred dollars he had been cvsr-Pursuaded
to loan the sick clergyman, in order that
he might go South during the winter.
"He's been more of burden than a
support to them these two years"
.'Oh, Harry, how can you speak sc2'-
demonstrated Mrs: Sterling. CA kinder
man in his family was never seen. Poor
Mrs. Grangerl She will be hsart-brs-
ken"
"Kindness is cheap and easily dispens
ed" celdly replied Mr.. Sterling. He
would have been of mere use to his fami-
-ly if he had fed and clothed them better.
I reckoa they can de without him. If 1
had my three hundred dollars, I wouldn't
But he checked for shams-not ferany
better feelings-tAe almost brutal words
his heart sent up to his tongue. ~
Net many yards from Mr.. Sterling's
handsome residence stood small, plain
cottage, with a garden in front neatly laid
out in box -bordsred walks, and filled
with shrubbsry. A honey -suckle, twined
with a running rosebush covered the lat
ticed pertico, and locked ia at the cham
ber windows, giving beauty aud sweet
ness. The hand of taste was seen eve
rywhere-not lavish, but discriminating
taste. Two years before there was not a
happier home than this in all the pleasant
town of &C. now the shadow of death
was upon it.
ssPoor Mrs. Granger Posr little err
phans!' Well might Mrs. Sterling pity
them. When her mercenary husband
was sighing over the loss Of three hun
dred dsllars, the young widow lay sense
less, with her two little ones weeping over
her in childish terror. The news of death
found her unprepared. Only week be-
fore she had received letter from Mr..
Granger in which he talked hopefully OF
his recovery. 1 am stronger" he said.
"My appetite is better; l have gained five
pounds in fissh since left home" Three
days after writing this letter there came
sudden change Of temperature; he took
cold. which was followed by congsstion Of
the lungs; and No medical skill was sufi
cient for the case His bedy was not sem
home for iaterment; when the husband
and father west away, TIVE or three
months before, his believed ones leokee
on his face for the last time in this world
Love and honor make the heart strong
Mrs. Granger vas gentle, retiring wo
maa. She had leaned upsn her HUSBAND
very heavily; she had clung to him as
vine. Those who knew her best felt mos
anxious about her. "She has no nenta
stamina" they said. She cannst stans
alene."
But they were mistaken. As We hav'
Just said, love and honor makesth hear
strong. Only week after Mr.. Sterling
read the news of the yeung minister
death he received a note from the widow
j "My husband" she said, twas able t
20 South in hope Of regaining his healtl
through your kindness. If he had live
the money you looned him would hav
been faithfully returned, for he was ma
of honor. Dying he left that honor i
my keeping, and | will see that the deb
5 is paid But you will have to be a littl
patient with nae.
call very fne," muttered Mr.. sterlin
f with slightly curling lip, I've hear
of such things before. They sound vel
People will say Of Mrs. Granger, "Wha
Fl noble wsmanl What 6ne sense q
honor she has = But I shall never Sc
the three hundred dollars was fsolisl