The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-05-06

California. He had followed mining
fortwo years, but bis strength was IN.
equal to the pursuit, and he returned to
the city, purchased a hand-cart, and
! the rest Is known. q ~
"Since them" concluded the old man
bowling his face in bis hands in agony
II have not tasted liquor, nor have
seen my child"
| regretted that had been 80 in.
quisitive, and expressed to the sufferer
the sympathy really felt for him
After chat I seldom passed the corner
without looking for "Pap Ainsley,;'
and never saw him but to think Of the
sad story he had told me.
One chilly, drizzly day in December
following, gentleman having pur-
chased small marble.top table at an
auction room opposite, profercd to the
old man the job of carrying it to his
residence in Stockton. Not wishing to
accompany the carrier, he had selected
the face giving the best assurance OF
careful delivery of his purchase.
Furnished with the number of the
house, the old cartman, after trying
struggle with the steep ascent of Cali
fornia Street, reached his destination,
and deposited the table in the hall.
Lingering moment, the lady did not
surmise the reason, until he politely
informed her that her husband flor
such he took him to beg had omitted,
probably accidentally, to pay for the
carriage. ...
"Vcry we'll, I will pay you,' said the
lady, stepping into an adjoining 10 ON.
She returned, and, stating that she
had no small coin in the house, handed
the man twenty dollar gold piece.
He could not make the change.
"Never mind, I will call to- morrow"
said he, turning to go.
"No, no." replied the lady, glancing
pityingly at the white locks and trem
bling limbs. ~ will not put you to so
much trouble" and she handed the
coin to Bridget, with instructions to
see if she could get it changed at one
of the stores in the neighborhood.
"Step into the parlor until the girl
returns; the air is chilly, and you must
be cold," continued the lady. "Come,"
she added as she looked at his attire
and hesitated; "there's a fire in tile
CRATE, and no one there but the chill
dren."
lit is somewhat chilly" said the 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 I fear Bridget will not get
the twenty-dollar piece changed"
"Come, 1 love little children" and
the child who had been watching him
with curiosity ran behind large arm
chair, and hesitatingly approached.
"Whatis your name, my little child9"
"Maria," lisped the little one.
"Maria9" he repeated, while the
great tears gathered in his eyes; 81
once had little girl named Maria, and
you look very much as she did"
ibid your" said the child, with
much interest; "and was her name
Maria Eastman, too?"
"Merciful 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 p
He caught up the child in his arms
with an eagerness that frightened her,
and gazing into her face he found con-
viction there, he suddenly rose to leave
the house.
81 cannot meet her without betray-
ing myself, and dare not tell that /
am that drunken father who attempted
to take her life, and perhaps left her
husband a cripple" he groaned as he
hurried toward the door.
The little ones were bewildered.
"You are not going9" said the
mother, reappearing and discovering
him in the act Of leaving the hall.
He stopped, and apparently turned
his face, but seemed to lack the resolu.
ton to do aught else.
ale said he had little Maria once
that looked just like me, MOTHER"
shouted the child, her eyes sparkling
with delight. d.. ga.
The knees of the old cartman trem-
bled, and he leaned against the door
for support. The lady sprang toward
him, took him by the arm and at
tempted to conduct him to o chair.
mo, mop he exclaimed, not till you
tell me I am forgiven" 1.,
"Forgiven-for what1" replied the
mother, greatly alarmed. t.
Recognize in me your wretched
father, and I need not tell you"