The Democratic advocate., 1870-03-17

scarccrow through the town--the mel
ancholy cynosurc Of pointing fingers,
the desolate victim of shameless rela-
tionship and shattered brain, Alas
for the spectral landed proprietor. Had
Heavens all.embracing glance no roy
to guide his ,,Stless steps.
One day, as instinct sent him begging,
after dinncr.timc, for the dismal mis-
ccllany of lis daily food, a summer
storm darkened the heavens and the
earth, and peals Of thunder startled all
animated things. The flowers bowed
in terror, and the invisible millincrs
who deck the bonnet of nature fed to
their most secret haunts. But the fool
stalked abroad in the pelting rain, and
lifted his lack lust:e eyes to the furious
source Of the tempest, halfamazed,
half delighted, at the intermittent fires
Suddenly shrek was heard along
the road and, looking backward, he
saw upon frightened horse young
maiten Of the village, clingins to the
name of the galloping animal, which,
snorting with alarm, approached him
Daniel Mosgar was fool-but he
was man. A wise one might have
stepped aside in fear, but Daniel seized
broken bough by the waysidc, and,
brandishing the huge weapon for mo.
ment, dartcd into the middle of the
road and, as the wild, careering steed
came laundering on with his insensate
burden, with well directed force the
limb was brought in contact with the
horses head. The concussiou was tre-
mendous, aud the animal, painting and
quivering, with swelled veins, fell heavily
to the ground.
Happily for the girl, whose hold was
upon his name, she was hanging upon
the opposite side to that on which he
fell aud before the halfstunncd AMI
NAL could struggle to his feet again,
the idiot, inspired by the emergency,
sprang forward and pulled the maiden
from her periluus position. The shouts
of approaching men, one of whom was
her father, now attracted his attention,
and in few moments the girl, still
unconscious, was in her fathers arms.
Well done, Daniel! God bless
you for saving my daughters life :"
was the greateiu! exclamation Of Mr.
Fontlcy, as the party, bearing the girl
and leading the now passive horse, pro.
ceeded to his house, near by. You
have done that which | shall never for
get and | will do what | eau to repay,
poor fellow but he does not under,
stand me-" added the father shaking
his head, as the fool, uuheeding, follow.
ed them, proudly brandishing the huge
branch with which he felled the horse,
and smiling at it. "What agents the
Almighty sometimes chooses for his
work !" continued Fontcly. "a fool
has been the means of saving my ouly
child from a ride to bloody grave p
Helen Fontley was but fifteen on
that day of her great danger, and was
returning home from a customary jaunt
when overtaken by the storm. The
father was wealthy, and centred in her
all his most cherished hopes. The he.
roic deed of Daniel affected Fontley
deeply, and filed him with active COM
passion for the young man. He resolved
to be his friend, and he was so. Out
of the mouth of the thunder followed
blessings for the fool. With the pas
sage of the clouds on that day came
sun upon the soul of his fortunes.
Having inquired after his affairs, on
the next day Mr.. Fontley rode over the
FOOLS farm, aud made brief survey of
it, Daniel and few others accompanying
him.
What do you think of the division
of the property p was the question of
one. WAS it not crual "
Daniel, come to my house. Cruel /?
no!' replied Mr.. Fontley, his face
Frightening up with q meaning smile,
as they left the sterile upIauds. Robert
Mosgar did greater favor to his neph-
ew by the division than his ignorance
intended, if am not much mistaken.
But We will see, soon, how it turns
out"
From that day Daniel was amply
provided for in the house of Mr.. Foe.
ley, and meanwhile the secret of the
latter's words became revealed. The
FOOLS farm proved rich in coal. The
experienced eye of Foutley had detected,
in the cource Of his visit to it, indica.
tions which had escaped the notice of
all others, and which subsequent pros.
pecting proved true. Those barren un-