Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-04-21

anu TIE loss OF Tue money WOulu never Ut
felt 10y Tim as the loss OF theciiild would
De. And then, perhaps, the world
would remember, after he was gone, that
he had done at least one kindly act cur
ing his lifetime, and reccollecting that,
would forgive him many OF his more
selfish ones. Yes, he would keep the
child, and he would help the mother
| too.
But how was he to get word to her?
The workman had told him OF the town
where she resided. but had never SpOk-
Ell OF her by name. He might have
asked the chilli, but although Simon
Smalipiece was Il lawyer who usually
thought of everything, ,singularly enough
he never thought OF this. All! now DE
knew. Where was the paper?
Sitting down at his desk, ne .heaGed a
sheet OF letter paper with the day ami
year. Then tiny voice came up from
out OF the bed-clothes, reminding him
that something had been forgotten.
And what is that?" asked Simon.
Dear little heart! She had not said
her prayers.
Ibid your uncle always want you to
say your prayers" asked The lawyer,
going to the bedside.
Yes, always"
said Simon, and kneeling down by her
side, the old man rested his scattered
gray hairs upon the counterpane while
the tinny voice repeated Il simple prayer
and the chubby hands were fast ciasped
together. And in, that prayer, follow
ing her every word, Simon Smallpiece's
heart was touched as 1t never had been
be tore, and from his lips there went, with
the supplication of the child IAN earnest
prayer TO be made better and more NOR
Thy OF the charge which had been placed
within his keeping.
He returned to his letter al last, and
finishing it directed it TO the postmaster
of the town in which the object OF his
search resided, informing him of tn e
fatal event OF the afternoon and request
ing him, if possible, TO forward the in
formation to Daisy's mother. Then he
put on his red fnanel nightcap, blew out
his candle and went to bed, holding the
child's hand, as with her he passed to
the unknown land of dreams.
The next day passed, and the next.
The preparations for the poor mans
funeral were simple and few, for he had
no friends in the heighborhood where he |
lived, and little seemed to be known |
about him. Simon offered To bear the !
OCj anu
in the afternoon, when the man had
been laid in his cGifin, iOok Daisy with !
him for farewell look at his peaceful
face. But Daisy shrank from the cold |!
and awful form in wild terror, at which |
the lawyer was glad, for it proved that |
her love for her former friend would not
all be given to him in death as it had
been in life, and that there was still |
room for little affection for himself, |
after the workman had been forgotten. |
But on the third day, which was the |
day of the funeral, there came a knock |
at the door OF the lawyers office, and
there stood upon the threshold woman,
closely yelled and holding little boy |
by the hand.
My husbands brother is buried to-
day." she said, a little sadly. II am
told that you have kindly cared for my
little girl"
Great heavens That voice! 1t seemed
to Simon Smailpiece like the peal OF Il
sweet, sweet bell, ringing back to him
tie sad changes over Il hali-iorgo ten
world which had fallen from the firm
anent many long years ago. lie arose
from his seat trembling with strange
emotion.
Your little girl IS quite Sale" hesaid.
Sidii nave d piOposltiOi " iiAahc ou
i'll regard TO her, alter 10 days sad cere-
mony is over. May / ask your name?"
Il think you know it," she said rails
ing her veil.
20 Nellie! My daughter Nellie !"
cried the old man, falling suddenly !
down upon his knees before her. May
God forgive me ior the wrong L have
tone you and yours! o my child. Be
merciful to me, for ask your forgiveness
at your feet"
II have nothing to forgive, father
she said, assisting him TO his feet. What
ever there was between us, has been for
given long ago."
''And you will stay with me now al
ways" Asked Simon, half incredu-
lousiy.
Always, il you wish it father"
The hand OF the Lord is iii it, f" cried
he, catching up daisy in his arms. 1T
is this little one who has prepared his
way, ,andshe has made my path straight.
And who shall say that Simon small
pieces legacy was not better than gold |
or silver, since it brought him new |
heart