The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-07-27
A BIRTHDAY GIFT.

mabel Harrison, you surely do not
mean to speak to that wretch!'
"Oh, Addic, just stop one minute; he
is crying, and see how he shivers with
cold"
Adelaide moved proudly on. 81 can
not see, Mabel, where you inherit your
low tastes. 1t is positively getting to be
disagreeablc to walk out with you on the
street. Suppose some of your acquain-
lances should see you? p
But Mabel had already turned to the
little bare headed, bare footed fellow;whe
had been the innocent cause of Ada
ladies rebuke. In a moment she joined
hel sister.
"His name is BERTHE, and you may
laugh if you will, but he really looks
like the picture of cousin Herbert that
hangs in the library, and he is just about
Herbert's age when that was taken. He
said his fathers name was Papa, and
that he had been sick. They must be
very poor, for would you believe it, the
child has been hunting for coal in the
cutters, and had that old can nearly full
Do promise that you will go with me to
visit them after our visit to the dress
maker.
"Of all the romantic snnpletons / ever
knew, you deserve the palm" replied
Adelaide "Why even if it should prove
to be cousin Herberts child, as in your
exuberant family ydu seem to have al
ready concluded, | would not go across
the street to make their acquaintance
Not that l have anything against them
personally, but you remember uncle's
words to us : You are never to hold in
tercourse with that man who was your
cousin, under pain of my severest dis
pleasure | can see him yet, and the
anger that burned in his face at that
time makes me shudder NOW, when !
think of it. Besides, you know that
uncle had reason to be offended. Her
bert violated his express commands
when he married that girl, and as he
chose the consequences, he has no one to
blame but himself No, Mabel" she
continued, 81 have no idea of giving up
nv comfortable home, and be thrust out
: into the world to seek my own living, as
would assuredly be the case if disobey
uncle Hugh; so whatever benevolent
scheme you have on hand, please do not
Iimplicate me in any way. My idea, just
now, is to get out of this disreputable
part of the city as soon as we can
What could have induced the dress ma
ker to move in this direction l cannot
imagine"
High rents, suppose" said Mabel.
IL admit" she continued, returning to
the subject so near her heart, "that there
was a great deal said on both sides that
was wrong; but uucles heart is not dead
how, whatever it was five years ago. |
do not believe that a day passes that he
does not vearn after his absent son, and
am quite sure that Herbert's desire for
a reconciliation is not less fcrvent."
"Are you gifted with second sight or
have YOU discovered what every one else
is ignorant Of" asked Adelaide in sar-
castle tone.
Il will tell you what ! did see yester-
day." said her sister. warmly. "uncle
standing before that picture, his hands
raised imploringly and his eyes wet with
tears. | was sitting on the window seat,
partly hidden by the curtain, and he did
not know that was present. No, Ad-
die, it is pride, foolish, slnfhl pride, that
keeps father and son apart; and | intend
neter to rest, until see them reconcilcd
even though III so doing, ! am forced,as
you say, to 60 out into the world to
seek my own living. ! have long made
this hope the subject Of MY daily prayer
and ,lelieve that. God, in his own good
time, will permit me to sec its fulfil
ment"
When they left the dress makers Ma
bel said, "l am gomg to see that child
and it's parents; and, sister, ! have deci-