The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-10-14
" I'D u Y.o

" I'D u Y'.'
1t was cold December night, an
nothing was stirring in the villag
but the wind. This trespasser di
not content itself with the publ
highway, but invaded the privat
houses without the slightest ccmpunc
tion. 1t roared down tie kitohel
chimneys, rushed through the publ
rooms, and even forced itself into th
chambers Of the sick, making then
shiver in their beds. 1t was so ut
terly destitute Of good breeding, O
the slightest sense of honor, that no
a corner escaped its scrutiny and
having no respect for persons, 1T burs
into the pos s,mastcr's parlor, driving
the smoke impertinently into the eye
of his wife on purpose to make be
sneezc. The former august person
stood with his back to the fire, ap
pcaring to be in perfect luxury 0
mind, body and estate. The fam,
blazed iii steady defiance of the pow
crs of the air, shedding a ruddy glov
on the carpet, curtains, and careful
ly polished mahoeo ~; also on the fca
lures of an old man standing benin,
the table, who returned the post.
master S smile unenviouSly, although
it was rare be did not know cold
hunger, and disc omfort.
d" You must see, Tom,' urged tht
former, I" that the offer is a capita
one for you. The child will be board
ed. clothed, and educated in yer,
different way from what she is now
You have not the means to p.ovia,
for her do not undei stand how
you can he state for a mumcnt.'
'Thaak you humbly, SIR saie
the old man. and in truth the reycr
encc and humility Of his manne
could not have been greater to th'
queen herself.
" Thank you v"y humbly.''
But the tone expressed somethin!
besides Difference. The argumen
was clear and unanswerable, yet h,
was not convinced He turned il
dull peri:iexity to the postmistress.
" Remember she sad, kindl,
guessing his thoughts, lit will no
be parting with the child ; you sbal
come as often as you like to see her
every day if you fancy. And wha
a pleasure it will be to watch he
growing up, SO well cared for an'
happy
Persuasion had no more powe
than reasoning, yet neither wa
strong enough to convince him. Their
remained some hidden objection whicl
words would not or could not reveal
His helpless silence reused the post
masters $ impatiencc.
"Sir,' said the cid man at length
"Ill speak to Dot
" Suppose, suggested the post
mistress, " we leave the matter f.
the present, Think of it to night
and let US know tomorrow. Thcr
is no need to hurry yourself in de
ciding.'
Tom assentcd gratefully, and wit
profound obeisance left the room
Once out in the open air, the win
met him face to face, and shook an
butfcted HIM until he thought he ha
never known how thrcadbare an
scanty his coat really was. He wa
fain to draw it closely around him t
prevent the blast penetrating to hi
very heart, thereby proving itself t
be not merely unscrupulous, but IN
feeling
The struggle with the anseen enc
my was desperate, but not SO ferc
or violent as the conflict within, i
the heat IF which the chills Of til
outer world were forgotten.
Fortune had no. bestowed upo
Tom brilliant career, nor were hi
circumstances the most enyiablc. Il
beggary was added neglect and ill
usage; to these were united the suG
ering of bodily deformity; and tn
sum total Of misery produced rose t
a fearful amount. How lie contriy
ed to scramble from boy hood to MAI
hood, heaven knows, If, indeed,
creature may be digniied by tn
name of man who can only be S
called in the sense of his being a fe
degrees higher than the beasts of til
field, and many lower than the angel:
Yet this poor soul was not withou
his ambition. His high ambition ba
been to attain the rank Of cobbler
he could cone Give no greater happ
ness ; and his desire was fulfilled :
In the service ef Il harsh parsimon
Gus master, in dark back-room.
cobblcd, and was content but
was doomed to lose even this sma
qualification. His eyeSight gradua
ly failed, and he was compelled
give up work. He yielded not onI
without murmur, but with chez
fulness, being accustomed to recci,
thankfully, but to ask nothing.
few small shop keepers, out of con
passion, employed him on errand
and by this means he picked up
livelihood. In such Circumstance
it is difficult to conceive any roo
tor happiness, any loop-hole throue
which hope, comfort, or joy cou