Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-05-04

her that her husband (tor such he took him
to be) had omitted, probably accidentally, to
pay for the carriage.
Very well, | viii 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 q
twenty dollar gold piece.
He could not make the change.
"Never mind, 1 will call to morrow" he
said. turning to go.
"No, nc, replied the lady, glaucing pity
iugly at the white locks and trembling limbs,
81 will not put you to so much trouble. And
she handed the coin to Bridget with instruo-
tious to see if she could get it changed at one
of the stores or msrkets in the neighborhood.
''Step into the parlOr until the girl returns j;
the air is chilly and you must be cold." con-
tinued the lady. "Come," she added, as he
looked at his attire and hesitated; ''there's a
fire in the CRATE, and no one there but the
children"
'.It is somewhat chilly" said ths old man,
following her into the parlor, and taking
seat near the fire.
"Perhaps may find some silver in the
house" said the lady, leaving the room, "for
fear that Bridget will not get the twenty
dollar piece changed"
"Come. I love little children" said he, and
the child who had been Watching him with
curiosity ran behind the large arm chair, and
hesitatingly approached.
"What is your name. my little child 7"
"Maria," lisped the little one.
t'Maria 7" he repeated, while the great
tears gathered in. his eyes Il once had g
little girl named Maria, and you look very
much as she did"
"Did you ?'' said the child, with much in
terest; ''and was her name Maria Eastman,
too ?'
'ferciful God - exclaimed the old man,
starting from his chair, and then dropping
into it again, with his head bowed upon his
breast. ''This cannot be. and yet. why not ?"
He caught up the child in his arms with
an eagerness that frightened her, and gazing
into her face until he fonnd conviction there,
suddenly rose to leave the house.
81 cannot meet her without betrayiug my
self, and dare not tell that am that drunk
en- father who attempted to take her life, and
perhaps left her husband cripple" he
groaned as he hurried towards the door.
The little ones were beWildered.
''You are not going p said the mother, re-
appearing, and discovering the old man in the
act of leaving the hall.
lie stopped, and apparently turned his
face. but seemed to lack the resolution to do
aught else.
''IIe said he had little Marin once that
just looked like me, mother" shouted the
child, her eyes sparkling with delight.
The knees of the cartman trembled. and
ho !"a"c1 !"naar:c. against Tue door for support Tie
lady sprang toward him, took him by the arm,
aud attempted to conduct him to a chair.
"No, no n he exclaimed, "not till you tell
me am forgiven"
"FOrgiven-forw what p replied the mother,
greatly alarmed.
"Recognize in me your wretched father,
and | need not tell you"
My poor father p she cried, throwing
her arms around his neck. "All is forgiven
-ah ! forgotten"
All was forgiven, and the husband, when
he returned late in the afternoon. was scarce
ly less rejoiced than his good wife at the dis
covery. Whether: or not Bridget succeeded
in changing the double eagle never learned /;
but this l know it took that honest female
all of two months to unravel the knot into
which the domestic relations of the family had
tied itself during her absence.
"Pap Ainsley," still keeps his cart, for
money could not induce him to part with it.
I peeped into DR.. Eastman's back yard short
time since, and discovered the old man draw
ing the favorite vehicle around the enclosure
with his four grandchildren piled promis-
cuously into it,