The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1870-02-08

struggle up the steep ascent Of Oaiiiof-
MIA streets, reached hH destination and
deposited the table in the hall Ling
eriug a moment, the lady did not sur
mise the reason, until be politely in
formed her that her husband for such
be took bin to be- had omitted, prob
ably aecideutly, to pay for carrisge.
Very well, / viii pay you, said the
lady, stepping into an adjoining room,
She returned and stated that she
bad no small coin in the house, handed
bim a twenty dollar gold piece.
He could not make the change.
Never mind, viii call tomorrow,
he said turning to go.
No, no, replied the lady, gancing
pityingly at the white locks and tremb-
ling limbs, i will not put you to so
much trouble and she handed the coin
to Bridget with instructions to see il
she could get il changed at one Of the
stores OF markets in the neighborhood.
Step into the parlor until the girl
returns the air is chilly and you must
feel cold, added the lady. Come, she
added as be looked at his attire and
hesitated there is fire in the CRATE
and no one there but the childen.
Perhaps / may find some silver in
the house, said the lady, leaving the
room, for l fear Bridget will not get
the twenty dollar piece changed
Come, / love little children, said the
old man, and the child who had been
watching him with curiosity, ran be-
hind the large arm chair, and hesitat-
ipgly appproached.
What is your name, my little child p
Maria, lsped the little one.
Maria, he repeated, with great tears
gathering in his eyes i once had
little girl named Maria, and you look
very much as she did
Did you ? said the child, with much
interest and was her name Maria
Eastman, too 2
Merciul God, exclaimed the old
mFn starting from his chair and then
dropping into it again, with his head
bowed upon his breast this cannot
be, and yet why not !?
He caught up the child in his arms
with an eagerness that frightened her,
and gazing into her face until he found
conviction there, suddenly arose to
leave the house.
i cannot meet her without betraying
myself, and l dare not tell her that
am that drunken father who tried to
take her life, and perhaps left her hus-
band cripple : he groaned as he hur.
ried towards the door.
The little ones we're bewildered.
You are not going !? said the moth
er, reappearing, and discovering him in
the act of leaving the hall.
He stopped, and apparently turned
his head, but seemed to lack the reso-
luton to do aught else
He said he had a little Maria once
that looked just like me, mother,
shouted the child, her eyes sparkling
with delight.
The knees OF the old cartman trembl-
ed, and he leaned against the door for
support. The lady sprang toward him,
took him by the arm and attempted to
conduct nim to chair.
No, no. be exclaimed, not till you
say that anu forgiven
Forgiyen-for what 2 replied the
mother much alarmed.
Recognize in me your wretched faith
or, and | need not tell you
My poor father, she cried throWing
her arms around his neck, all is for.
given-all forgotten
All was forgotten, and the husband
when he returned late in the afternoon
was scarcely less rejoiced than his
good wife at the discovery.
Whether or not Bridget succeeded in
getting the double eagle changed,
never learned but this / do know, it
took that honest female all OF two
months to unravel the knot into which
the domestic relations Of the family
had tied itself during her absence.
Pap Ainsley" still keeps his cart
for money conld not induce him to part
With 1t. | peeped into Or. Eastmans
back yard short time since, and dis.
covered the old man dragging the ia
sorlte vehicle around the enclosure with
his four grandchildren piled promiscu.
ously into it.
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