Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-12-23

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The old gentleman's elbows were raised in
equal astonishment, rs he looked at Faiths
flushed and earnest face.
Because it's something about that Tn,
ggciGsIS gCinis to tell you' added ho child apollo.
Very well, then, let uskear il first. said
Mr.. Morgan, setting himself back on the
sofa.
Faith went back to her seat, looking very
gratilicd, and, folding her hands on her
knee again, as she had habit of doing,
she began, in n tinid voice.
"A long time ago, before l was born.
when mother had two boys alive, she was
almost rich. She had such nico house.
she told me, and money enough to buy
anything she wanted. Father was a mas
ter then, and had lot of men to work for
him he was builder
'Ah, well then, | knew him. interrupted
Mr.. Morgan. BLESS me do you mean to
say that you are David IIarley's little girl?
Manys the day met him, and good
hearted, socable man he was. But never
! heard what came of him at last quite
lost sight of him. Go on Faith.
Did you know that he-he got tipsy 2,
asked Faith, with burning face.
Mr.. Morgan nodded his head.
Yes continued the child, and he kept
on so drcddfW that at last he was Obliged
to send all his men away, and go out to
work under master himself. And so mother
! got so poor, she had to live in n house, and
| go without many things that she wanted ;
and besides having 50 much sorrow about
! father, she had other troubles, for both her
| boys died. | often thought how dreadful
| she must have felt then, because il is so
bad 10 have to live with people who get
| tipsy, isn't it,
Mr.. Morgan coughcd, and said, Yes
Wei, then, after n time father had n
dreadful accident. When he was going up
a ladder one day hc slipped and fell, and
had to be carried to the hospital. | think
mother said that his spine was hurt-ycs,
that was it and he had to lie in bed for II
great many weeks and at last he died. |
often ask motIor to tell me about bis death,
because it's 50 beautiful
beautiful y echoed Mr.. Morgan, in
credulousy. With his notions Of death
nothing but the horrible was connected.
Yes answered Faith, looking into the
fire. You know, he was so changed while
he was i'll. He got to love God, and he
was so sorry to think he had been such a
wicked man for such Il long time. Mother
used to 60 and sit by his bed ut the hospital
for hours and she tells me how kindly he
used 20 hold her hand and try to comfort
her, and beg her to forgive him for causing
her SO much sorrow through drinking and
he said that il God made him well again he
would never touch the drink any more ;and
if he had got well don't think he would,
do you, sir p
Mr.. Morgan squeezed his eyes together,
and used his handkerchief vigorously be-
fore he replied, Il should think not, dear.'
lie died that very evening. Some one
came from the hospital to tell mother what
his last words Were, and they were these
so foolish was and ignorant was
rs beast before thee i shall be salts
lcd when l awake in Thy likeness
| There was another silence. Mr.. Morgan
clasped his hands round his knee, and
gazcd into the fire with those bloodshOt
| eyes Of his. which, however, looked better
than they had done for many a long day,
because Of the tears that glistCned in them.
Isn't there something in Isaiah about
/ spending your labor for that which salts
/ Gath not p he said, musingly. 4 used TO
know the chapter with that IN it by heart. ;
Yes said Faith, i often read it to
mother. 1t is one Of her iilvorite chapters >
We'll, now, ail the marks are out of
| your cloak, chmed in Mrs. Morgan 'aud
look, Faith when it is quite dry they won't
show in the least
Faith got up, and Mrs. Morgan put ii Oh
/ for her.
( III take you ovcr,' said Mr.. Morgan,
/ rising and buttoning his coat.
/ The sad look came back into the chi!d's
face as she badc Mrs. Morgan good morn
| ing for, although the cloak was nicely
/ cleaned, had she not 10 so home to her
mother cmpty-handcd
When they got over the way, and Mr..
! Morgan had opened the door for her. he
said: i wont come up, dear you can tell
! your mother all about your tumble. But
/ the poor widow mustn't be Il loser by it, lit
tie Faith. Give her this, DEAR And with
his trembling hand he took the crown
/ piece trom his waistcoat pocket, put it iuto
the child's hand, and, pushing her hand
gently in, he closed the door, and went
away without saying another word.
Her heart beat wildly with joy. She
sprang up the stairs, and with tears aud
laughter told her mother of The events OF
the morning,
, Aud never thanked him,' she said in
conclusion he wouldn't give me time,
Let me so over heiugo | take my things OIL;
may |, motherY'
Yes, d1ar, certainly
on went Faith, her face glowing with
excitement, Mrs, Morgan, seeing her COM
I lHg, went 10 Inc door. IN answer 10 fdllll 5
inquiries, she said that she must run across
anotAer Time Mr.. Morgan was just gone
up stairs 10 bed.
To bed " Faith feared he was i'll but
his reasons for going to bed were truly
philosophical,
80 the child thanked Mrs. Morgan for
the tive shii!Inss, prrsumius that she knew
all about il, which Was not the case, though
Mrs. Morgan did not say 30 to the child ;
but directly the door Was closed up the old
lady toddlcd 10 her husband, aud asked an
explanation,
'Dou'r ask mo to-day sail lac II will
toll you tomorrow why did H.
Faith vJ-t many an anxious glance 0ut
of the window during the day, but ~ Mr,
Morgan did she see 20 out Neither on the
next day, hut ou the iollowiug, Oh, won,
dvrs she stw Mi aud Mrs. Morgan 20
out agmin-aym.
Look, mu,h,r" sha cried, I've never
seen them gn uut tllclher before
Mrs, Harry smiled, alId looked gratl.lrd
Folks often do things ut Christmas that
ilrN upllT do ut any DtlHI lime. slp Hull