The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-13

the old cartman, after 3 pretty trying
struggle with the deep ascent OF Cailf0r'
MIA t.treet, reached his destination and de-
posted his table in the hail. Lingering q
moment, the lady did ;not surmise the
reason, until he politely Informed her that
LeI hasband (for such he, took him to be)
had probably omitted to settle for the car
riGge.
g Very well, will pay you," said the
lsdy, stepping into an adjoining room.
She returned, and ststins. that she had no
small coin in the house, handed the man
twenty dollar piece d
He would not make change. "Never
mind l will come to[morrow,' he said,
turning to 60. u
"No, mol" rep "a the lady, glancing
plying at his whit locks and trembling
limbs, 81 will no. put you to so much
trouble and che 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 pai Tor 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 hest
tated there is fire in the CRATE, and no
one there but the children"
at is somewhat chilly" replied the
old man, following her into the parlor,
and taking seat near the fire.
perhaps I may find ssme silver in the
house, said the lady, as she left the room,
for l fear Bridget will not succeed in
getting the twenty dollar piece changed"
"Come-Ilove little children" and the
child who had been watching him with
curiosity, ran behind the large arm chair,
and hesitatingly approached. "What is
your name, my dear3" inquired the cart
man. |
Maria, {" lisped the little one.
Maria" he repeated, while the great
tears gathered in bis eyes: 81 once had
little girl named Maria, and you look very
much like she did,"
odd your" inquired the child with
seeming interest, ''and was her name Ma
ria Eastman, too1"
"Merdful God!" exclaimed the old
man, starting from bis chair, and dropp-
ing into it with bis head bowed upon his
breast. "This cannot be !! and yet, why
notl"
He 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.
81 cannot meet her without betraying
myself and dare not tell her that l am
that drunken father who once attempted
to take her life, and perhaps left her hus-
band cripple" he groaned as he hurried
toward the door. The little one was be-
wildered. "You are not going," said the
mother re-appearing, and discovering the
old man in the act of leaving the hall.
He stopped and apparently turned his
face, but seemed to lack the resolution to
do aught else.
He said he had little Maria once,
that looked Just like me, mother" shout
ed the child, her eyes sparkling with de-
light.
The knees of the old cartman trembled,
and he leaned against the door for sup.
port. The lady sprang forward, took him
by the arm, and attempted to conduct
him to chair.
"No, moi" he exclaimed, "not till you
tell me am forgiven"
"Foreiven-for whatP" replied the
mother In alarm.
"Recognize in me your wretched father
and / need not tell you, be faltered.
"My poor father!' she cried, throwing
her arms around bis neck, call is forgiven
all forgotten" .saE
All was forgiven, and the husband when
he returned late in the afternoon, was
scarcely less rejoiced than his good wife at
the 0iaonvorv Whofhor nr MT nr;doo<
succeeded in changing the double eagle, l
never learned; but this l do know, it took
the honest female all of two months to
unravel the knot into which the domestic
family had tied itself during her absence.
"Psp Ainsley" still keeps his cart, for
money would not induce him to part with
it. Ipeeped into the back yard of DR..
Eastman, one day last week, and discov-
cred the old man dragging the favorite We
hicle round the enclosure, with his four
grandchildren piled into it promiscu-
ously.