The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-08-19
FREMONT SANDSKY COUNTY OHIO; FRIDAY AUGUST 49, 1870

/ Strange, she said musingly, but
there she paused.
/ Child said the old man, III 90
with you to the door tomorrow, but
| I'll not go in. l couldn't bear that.
1 couldn't stand seeing your face
when you learn for the first time
what a poor little beggar you've
been all these years, unbeknown to
you. I'll wait outside, and you'll
come down and say goodbye before
l go altogether Don't put on any
finery they'll give to you. I'm far
too wretched ! creature not to like
that frock best. I'll not keep you
minute. Do you understandY
Dot nodded. 1t was difficult to
guess what was passing through her
mind.
Now, said he tenderly, go to bed.
The time viii pass quicker sleeping
than any other way,
She oLeyed; but before lying
down, drew near the old man and
threw her arms around him without
a word. 1t was impossible to dis
cover what lay behind those sober
brown eyes. Tom stationed himself
beside her till she fell asleep. The
fire died out, but the moonlight
screaming through the small window
shone upon his motionless form in
the small place. Night passed, and
the gray dawn appeared, yet he new
er moved, nor closed his eyes. He
could not bring himselfto leave her.
When she awoke his face was the
first sight that greeted her.
Dear. said he cheerily, only a
few hours now. Aren't you very
happy
Their scanty morning meal, con
sisting of the remains of last nights
supper, was taken in silence. When
finished, Dot put on her shawl and
arranged her shabby, threadbare
garment to the best advantage.
Tom watched her without a word.
The two then descended the stair
into the street. Suddenly he turned
and, pointing to the house, whisper
ed to her:
| Don't it seem impossible, now,
you could have been happy in such
a place? And strange you didn't
know that you were miserable there
until last nightY
! When they reached the Postmas-
! ter's house, she left him. He fol
llowed her eagerly with his eyes till
| the door was closed.
4 shouldn't wonder, he uttered,
as he paced up and down, if she
were to forget me after all; it would
be only natural, wouldn't it| and
he appealed to himself as to a Sec
ond person. Receiving no reply he
continued; 1t twould be very wrong
Iif she didn't like what's warm better
than what's cold, and what's beauti-
full better than what's uglyI Very
bad taste! couldn't grudge 1t to
her, could ~
By this time he was again in front
of the house. He stopped involun-
tarily and, closing his eyes, stretch
ed out his hands towards it, saying:
God bless little Dot, always
When he looked up she stood by
his side, and the door was shut. He
bent over her with infinite tender
ness.
keep you. Say one goodbye, and
then 60
But the child had slipped her
hand into his.
Just little way up the street
she said,
No, reallye exclaimed he, de-
lighted. 1f
They reached the corner and he
turned. a
"A few steps further persisted
she.
No. reallyg repeated the other,
astonished.
i want, she said, as they drew
near the house, Just to go up and
give last look; do you mindP
They mounted the stair and he
fingered at the door.
Why should you? he urged,
sorro Kfully. Wouldn't it be better
to say goodbye hereY
She pushed gently past him and
entered.
Yes said he, sadly watching her
face; you didn't know till now how
wretc6ed it was, did youI'
Dot turned to him and hung her
head without speaking. There was
evidently something she wished but
was ashamed to say.
Dad, she whispered at length,
there's no help for it. I was born
a miserable beggar, and I must re-
main so, please I'll stay
He pointed silently to the few
ashes in the CRATE and the broken
loaf on the table. She understood.
No she pleaded, gently, /
haven't forgotten, but I'd rather be
cold and hungry-and stay
Receiving no answer, she knelt
beside his chair and put her arms
around him.
Are you disappointed? Are you
sorrvY she exclaimed, anxiously.
The old man took the small face
in his two hands without word.
4 see,' she said 'you couldn't
believe it of me, could you? and
you're very vexed, ..t
Child said Tom, slowly, did I
show how 1 hated the place and
grudged your goingg
Dot hung her head.
No. she said, sorrowfully; it
wasn't you, nor nobody but my own
mean beggarly self
Then you choose to remain
hereY 4
Yes shewhispered looking very |
much ashamed. I don't wonder
you can't believe it..
A light cleaned, over the worn,
pinched features of the old man.
For the sake of this moment, all the
past years of accumulated miseries
were as nothing.
'Oh, Dotp he murmured trem-
blingly. '0h, Dot! Dotr
But he could say no more.
The Postmistress greeted the
child on her reappearance with
smile.
so it's you, she said, kindly, 1
L