Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-08-01

dy did not seem to surmise the reason, unit
be politely informed her that her husband
(for such he took him to be) had probabl..
by accident neglected to settle for the car
tage.
avery well, I will pay you," said the lady
stepping into an adjoining room. She re
turned, and stating that she had no smaller
coin in the house, handed the old man
twenty dollar gold piece. He could not make
the change.
"Neyer mind-I will call Tomorrow" sait
he turning to go.
"No, no! replied the lady glancing pity
ingly at his white locks and trembling limbs
81 will not permit you to put yourself to &c
much troable," and she handed the coin tc
Bridget, with instructions to see If she couio
get it changed at one Of the stores or in some
OF the markets in the neighborhood.
"Step into the parlor until the girl returns
the air is chilly and you must be cold. con-
tinued the lady very kindly. "Come," she
added, as he looked at his rough attire anc
hesitated.n "There is good fire in the
CRATE, and no one there but the children" :,
at is.somewhat chilly" replied the oio
man, following her intothe parlor and taking
seat near the fire.
"Perhaps may find some silver in the
house." said the lady, leaving the room, " foI
I fear Bridget will not succeed in getting the
twenty dollar gold piece changed"
"Come here, little one" said the oid man
coaxingly, to the younger of two children
girl about six years of age. aCome, love
little children - and the little child who had
been watching him with curiosity from behind
the large armchair, hesitatingly approached
"What is your name, dear," enquired the
oartman.
"Maria," isped the little one.
"Maria, :" lie repeated, with the great tears
gathering in his eyes. ~ once had a little
girl named Maria, and you look very much as
she did"
aDid you 2" enquired the child with in
terest dand was her name Maria Eastman,
too2"
"Merciful God l' exclaimed the old man,
starting from his chair, and again dropping
into it with his head bowed upon his breast
"This cannot be and yet why not? tie
caught the child in his arms with an eager
Jess that frightened her, and gazing into her
face until he saw conviction there, suddenly
rose to leave the house." | cannot meet her
without betraying myself, and dare not tell
her that I am that drunken father who once
attempted to take her life and perhaps lelt
her husband cripple" he groaned, as he
hurried toward the door.
The little ones were bewildered.
uYou are not poing?n said the mother, at
that time reappearing and discovering the
old man in the act of passing into the hall.
He stopped and partly turned his face,
but seemed to lack resolution to do aught
else.
"He said he had little Maria once, that
looked Just like me, mother" shouted the
child, her eyes sparkling with delight. ,
The knees of the old cartman tremoied,
and he learned against the door tor support.
The lady sprang toward him, and, taking
him by the arm, attempted to conduct him
to chair.
"No, mol" he exclaimed, "not until you
tell me am forgiven"
"Forgiven 2-for what?" replied the moth
er in alarm.
Recognize in ne your wretched father
and l need not Tell you, pe iutleieu.
my poor lather!'' she cried, throwing
her arms around his neck; "all is forgiven
all is forgotten"
All was forgiven, and the husband, when
he returned late in the afternoon, was scarce
ly less rejoced than his good wife at the dis
covery.
Whether or not Bridget succeeded in chang
;no the double eagle never learned but this
| do know-it took the honest female all of
two months to unrnvel the knot in which the
domestic affairs of the family had tied them
selves during her absence.
Pap Ainsley still keeps his cart, for money
would not induce him to part with it. l
peeped into the backyard of DR.. Eastman
one day LAST week and discovered the old man
dragging the favorite vehicle round the en-
closure with his four grandchildren piled pro-
miscuouslY into it.