Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-07-14


Strange" she said, musingly, but there
"Child," said the old man, "rIl 20 with
you to the door tomorrow, but I'll not go
in. I couldn't bear that. couldn't stand
seeing your face when you learn for the
first time what 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 I go altogether.
Don't put on any fnery they'll give to
you. I'm far too wretched creature not
to like that frock best. Pn not keep you
minute. Do you understand ?"
Dot nodded. 1t was difficult to guess
what was passing through her mind.
"Now," said he, tenderly, ego to bed.
The time will pass quicker sleeping than
any other way"
She obeyed; but before lying down,
drew near the old man and threw her
arms round him without word. 1t was
impossible to discover what lay behind
those sober brown eyes. Tom stationed
himself beside her till she fell asleep.
The fire died out, but the moonlight
streaming through the small window shone
| upon his motionless form in the small
place. Night passed, and the gray dawn
appeared, yet he never moved, nor closed
his eyes. He could not bring himself to
| leave her. When she awoke, his face was
the first sight that greeted her.
| "Dear," he said, cheerily, "only few
hours now. Aren't you very happy ?"
Their scanty morning meal, consisting
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 word. The
two then descended the stair into the
street. Suddenly he turned, and, point
ing to the house, whispered to her:
Don't it seem impossible, now, you
could have been happy in such 3 place ?
and strange that you didn't know you
were miserable there till last nightf"
When they reached the Postmaster's 8
house she left him. He followed her
eagerly with his eyes till the door was
closed
ST shouldn't wonder" he muttered, as
he paced up and down, if she were to
forget me after all it would be only natu-
raj, wouldn't itP" and he appealed to him
reply, he continued: "It would be very
wrong if she didn't like what's warm bet
ter than what's cold, and what's beautiful
better than what's uglyl Very bad taste
couldn't grudge it to her, could II"
By this time he was again in front of
the house. He stopped involuntarily, and
closing his eyes, stretched out his hands
toward 1t, 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 tenderness.
".My darling" he said, "In not keep
you. Say one good bye, and then 60"
But the child had clipped her hand into
his.
Just little way up the street." she
said.
"No, really p' exclaimed he, delighted.
They reached the corner, and he turned.
"a few steps further" persisted she.
"No, really" repeated the other, aston
at want" she said, as they drew near
the house, "just to go up and give last
look; do you mind ?"
They mounted the stair and he fingered
at the door.
"Why should you ~ he urged, sorrow-
fully. Wouldn't it be better to say
goodbye heref"
She pushed gently past him and en-
tered.
eyes" said he, sadly watching her face;
"you didn't know till now how wretched
it was, did you"
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. was born . miserable
beggar, and / must remain 30, 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, 81 haven't
forgotten, but I'd rather be cold and hun
gry-and stay"
Receiving no answer, she knelt be-
side his chair and put her arms around
him.
care you disappointed Are you sor-
ry?" she exclaimed, anxiously.
The old man took the small face in his
two hands without word.
"I see," she said, "you couldn't believe
it of me, could your" and you're very
Vexed."
"Child," said Tom, slowly,:."did 1 show
how hated the place, and grudged
your going?"
Dot hung her head.
"No," she answered, sorrowfully; at
wasn't you, nor nobody but my own mean
beggarly self"
"Then you choose to remain here"
EYES," she whispered, looking very
much ashamed. az 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, I'll the past years Of accum-
ulated miseries we're as nothing.
"Oh, Dotr" he murmured, tremblingly.
"Oh, Dot, Dotn
oub 1O COu40 say AO 14AOAOs
The Postmistress greeted the child on
her temperance with smile.
$50 it's you," she said, kindly; al
thought you'd be back soon, but you
needn't have run yourself out of breath" !"
"Please, ma'am," said Dot, becoming
incoherent in her eagerness, "and thank
you all the same, but I've been thinking I
shouldn't like Dad to call when I'm not
within reach to hear him, and may be he
might feel the room little strange with
out me, after being accustomed to see me
in it; so thank you, ma'am, all the same,
and I'd rather not"
"Not Gomez" repeated the other, sur
prised. "Do you really mean it
"You see," said the child, her face
flushing, az couldn't feel warm with him
cold, nor satisfied with him hungry; and
I know he'll lie awake at nights-not be-
cause of the wind, but for thinking of me.
Besides, he always fancies his victuals less
poor when Pm by. So you won't be
angry, or ask me to stay? for I'd rather
not"
The Postmistress did not reply. To
! judge from the expression of her face, the
silence was not ominous. When she
! spoke her tone was deferential in its gen.