The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-10
The Birthday Gift.

"Mabel Harrison, you surely do not
mean to speak to that little wretch
so Addie, just stop one minute, he is
crying, see how he shivers with the cold"
Adelaide moved proudly on. Il can
low taste 1t is positively getting to be
disagreeable to walk out with you on the
street Suppose some of your acquain-
tances should see you?"
But Mabel had already turned to the
little bare-headed, bare-footed, fellow,
who had boen in the innocent cause of
Adelaides rebuke. In moment she re-
joined her sister.
His name is BERTHE, and you may
laugh if you will, but he really does look
like the picture of cousin Herbert that
hangs in the library, and he is just about
Herbert's age when that was taken. He
told me his fathers name was Papa, and
that he had been sick. They must be
very poor, for would you believe it? the
child had been hunting coal in the gut
ter's, and had that cid can nearly full.
Do promise, after our visit to the dress
maker, te>go with me, and see them"
"Of all the romantic simpletons [ ever
knew, you deserve the PALM" replied
Adelaide. 'Why even if it should prove
to be cousin Herbert's child, as in your
exuberant fancy you seem to have al
ready concluded, [ would not go across
the street to make their acquaintance.
Not that have anything against them
personally; but remember uncle's words
to US, you are never to hold intercourse
with that man who was your cousin,
under pain OF my severest displeasuYe.'
can see him yet, and the anger that
burned in his face at the time makes NE
shudder now, when I think of it. Be-
sides, you know uncle had reason to be
offended. Herbert violated his express
command when he married that girl, and
as he chose the consequences, he has
none to blame but himself"
"No, Mabel" she continued; sI have
no idea of giving up my comfortable
home, and being thrust out in the world
to make my own living, as would be the
case, if 1 disobeyed uncle Hugh; Sc
whatever benevolent scheme you have on
hand, please do not implicate me in any
way. My own idea just now is, to get
out of this disreputable part of the city
as soon as we can. What could have in
duced the dress maker to move in this
direction, cannot imagine"
"High rents, suppose" said Mabel
"I admit" she continued, returning tc
the subject so near her heart, "that there
was a great deal said on both sides that
was wrong; but uncle's heart is not steal
now, whatever it was five years ago.
do not believe day passes that he does
not yearn over his absent son, and [ am
quite sure that Herbert's desire for a
reconciliation is not less fervent."
care you gifted with second sight, OF
how have you discovered what every one
else is ignorant of?' asked Adelaide in a
sarcastic tone.
~ will tell you what I did see, yester.
day." said her sister warmly. "Uncle
standing before that picture, his hands
raised imploringly, and his eyes wet with
tears. L was sitting on the window-seat
partly hidden by the curtain, he did moi
know | was present. No, Addie, it is
pride: foolish, sinful pride, that keeps
father and son apart; and intend neve,
to rest until | see them reconciled, ever
by SO doing am forced, as you say, t.
go out into the world and seek my living
/ have long made this hope my daily
prayer, and believe that God, in hi.
good time, will permit me to see its full
fillment."
When they left the dress-maker's, Ma
bel said, '1 am going to see that chile
and its parents; and, sister, have de
clded not to buy new trimmings for m,
dress, but use some lace I have at home
80 If you choose to purchase yours to-day
do not wait for me-"