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


the old cartman, after q pretty trying
struggle with the deep ascent of Oaiifor'
MIA utreet, reached bis destination and de-
posted bis table in the hall. Lingering
moment, the lady did tnot surmise the
reason, until he politely informed her that
her husband (for such he, took him to beg
had probably omitted to settle for the car
riage. .ranf
E" Very well, l will pay you" said the
lady, stepping into an adjoining room.
She returned, and stating that she had no
small coin in the house, handed the man
twenty dollar piece. -..,.., 8
He would not make change. "Never
mind l will come Tomorrow he said,
turning to 60. .Gt
"No, mol" replied the lady, glancing
plying at his white locks and trembling
limbs, 81 will not put you to so much
trouble and shs 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 paflor 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"
1t is somewhat chilly" replied the
old man, following her into the parlor,
and taking seat near the fire.
Perhaps may find seine silver in the
house, said the lady, as she left the room,
for / 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 deara" inquired the cart
man. go - a'
Maria, isped 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, '.snd was her name Ma
ria Eastman, too :"
"MerGful Godl" exclaimed the old
man, starting from his chair, and dropp-
ing into it with bis head bowed upon bis
breast. This cannot be and yet, why
mott" ...r
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.
~ cannot meet her without betraying
myeelf and dare not tell her that am
that drunken father who once attempted
to take her life, and perhaps left her hus-
band a 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 q little Maria once,
that looked Just like me, mother" shout
ed the child, her eyes sparkling with de-
light. .. .. 49,.
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 I am forgiven"
EW6Vou-Ao1 Wuob! ropll0u tue
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, "all is forgiven
all forgotten" +! 3.fsaESs
All was forgiven, and the husband when
he returned late in the afternoon, was
scarcely less rejoiced than his good wife at
the discovery. Whether or not Bridget
succeeded in changing the double eagle, I
never learned; but this 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.
Pap 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.