The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-12-03
THE FATHERS RETURN.
By CHARLES II. KEANE.

melting tenderness in her face. "Lizzie!'
he at last spoke.
80, Johnl Johnl how can live with.
out your"
"But, dear Lizzie" said the other, ere
member it is the will Of God; he will new
er desert you. Think" he continued, ia
king her by the hand and leading her to
the window where two little children were
engaged at play, "would you bid me stay
when our children are in need of food2
No, dear Lizzie, remember am man;
|if cannot find employment in my own
land must seek for it away, far away, I
know not where"
"Johnl dear JohnP' exclaimed his
wife, 81 will not bid you stay. Ycu have
been good husband to me, therefore
. merciful heavenl' she cried, placing
her hand on her breast, "this pains me
sol'
At the same time she drew long
breath and gave vent to a dry, short
cough. Her husband was greatly alarm
ed.
"This is dreadful" he exclaimed; aI
did not know your cough was SO bad"
"Oh, It's nothing" replied the wife
trying to hide her pain, II am only "a
- But alas, poor Lizzie was suddenly
seized with fit of coughing, which con-
tinued for some time.4 g 2 .3 = = =
"For Gods sake, Lizzie, why have you
concealed this from me?" 1e9
"1Tis nothing, j John, 'tis nothing. Oh,
go if you are goingl do not suffer in
body, but in mind. Oh, my poor chill.
drenl" and the woman lwept bitterly.
'.Lizzie, how can I leave you in such a
state? Yet there is no alternative. But
I will return in few short months, o
Emma" he continued, |, as his little daugh-
ter entered the room, protect your poor
mother until / return" ,5,grsar-efJ ff
Dear father, you are not going to
leave us, are you2" .s-4
s'For a short time, dear daughter. "Call
little George" he continued; "I cannot
go without bidding him goodbye"
Emma sought her brother while her ia
Hther remained with his wife. We will
draw veil over the scene that followed
The parting between the father and his
family was deeply affecting. His little
children caressed him, while his wife
wept tears of anguish on his bosom
Amid kisses and sobs Mr.. Helens tore
himself from the embrace of his little
family and departed.
s. ow *aeag *sbg42 \ 4 LIZ 8,
One year had come and gone since Mr..
Helens parted from his wife and children.
In a secluded village, far up among the
mountains, stood assmalle hut. There
were reports afoat, that the house was
haunted. Many said that often about
midnight forms would be seen roaming
to and fro. 1t would seem that it was
not inhabited, for thick piles of snow lay
frozen against the door, and the shutters
we're always closed. Kind reader, it was
inhabited, and can you not guess by
whom? Alasl meth:nks hear you say,
"The afflicted mother and her family. .
But what were those forms seen nightly
fitting to and fro in the rooms? They
we're those Of Emma and George Helens
nursing their dying mother. Her days
were numbered; consumption had begun
its deadly work.
30 mother, We. have no food. How
can / live and see you starve before my
| eyes! l cannot beg; mother, but Lob,
I know whatI can do,"l she continued,
rising from the beside of her mother,
"There are a few chips outside and I
can sell them" 'i8aA ssle4 e 29aNn
aMy childlmy child!" el g go
81 must, mother" said the girl. awe
have no money to buy the medicine the
doctor prescribed. Do you think I will
see you die before my eyes when l have
1.-THE power to save you? mol never while
| hayeilifeI' a 5fea
/ Little George was at that moment
playing with his pet rabbit. It was O
beautiful little creature. snowy white
with eyes of pinkish hue. Poor little
I Georgiei it was bis only companion; he
almost idolized the little animal, which
cheered him in his solitude.
In the meantime Emma took cane
that was upon the floor, and with one
lstroke against the door it burst open
The snow, which was driving furiously
without, blewinto the room, also strong
current of air which set poor Mrs. He
lens to coughing. u M bsl7ggs
"My child, my child" she cried, "com'
backl come backp li8 lias -5 9
But she spoke so family that he
daughter did not hear her. In fey
minutes little George fell asleep upol
!, the floor Emma had neglected to secur,
/, the door, and the winds blew violentl.
upon the dying woman. She knew tha
death was near, yet it was awful to thin
! that she must die without one kind frien
around her. She, thought of her hus
baud. he had never returned. and sh
had given him up for dead. Slowly sh
felt the approach of death. a s4s
Il qYGeorgie," she exclaimed in fain
sIttone of voice, "Georgie! my dear so
4 Georgier'
ol But he was deaf to her cries; he va
! far awayin the land of dreams, Poe
little fellow! Helay upon the cold foe
Q. with his little pet rabbit playing with hi
r golden locks. It'was evident that he va
I dreaming, for he would often repeat th
! word aMother.s Did not his motht
n hear that little cryP Alasl yes, woul
e that she had notl The room was appear
ing darker to her eyes and the lamp (
life was. fast departing. In her endeav
l-1 ors1 to awaken her boy she rose partl
: from her bed, and fell again half faintin
on her pillow.