The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-11-08
TIE WoRLD is GOVERNED TOO MUCH.


| Ivy S''S wv ssoy OSStSt VuNh otuS
people! and sl,e--the 'dnkess' / mean
sending yon all that nice wine wher
you were i'll 7 Yes, and the nosegays
aud,
sStoop, John; what do you mean q
''Why, sir, when they first came
the lady heard that you were i'll, and
she sent over bottle of rare wine
with her compliments; and every day
since then she has sent servant &c
make inquiries about you, sir and al.
ways q boquet of choice flowers fol
your sick room--not that yon ever
noticed 'em, sir, any more than if they
had been chips, sir" said John, with
some disgust; "and SO told the man
who brought 'em, but they came every
day just the same"
"And why" said his gruff master,
touched more than he would have
chosen to confess by these attentions
from stranger-"why should this
foreign lady do all this for n rough old
man like me Z"
''Perllaps this will tell you, SIR
Aud John drew from his pocket a
dainty little note. SIT came t Ii j s
morning"
captain Wycherly opened it, and
read as follows:
'DEAH SIR
II hear that You are lonely old
man, without kith or kin to cheer your
solitude. Though in all this wide
world there is no one to call me dangh-
ter, yet remember when 1 enjoyed
the fond protection of one who was
the dearest and most indulgent OF
fathers. ! have only done for you
what wonld wish another to do fol-
him, if he was i'll and lonely like your
self. hope you will allow me to call
some time, to cheer and amuse you.
Your NEIGHBoR."
"Heaven bless her!'' said the old
man, with tears in his stern eyes; the
rugged lines in his face softening as lie
read, -'heaven bless her for her kind.
ness to n lonely old man. john
But John had disappeared. A mo.
ment after he opened the door, and
called out in a stage whisper, ooh
master, she's coming-in silk fit fo1
an empress, and with jewels shining il
her hair. Oh, master"
But this rhapsody was cut short by
the entrance of the lady herself, who
with her silken robes trailing on til,
floor, crossed the room, aud stood b,
the captains chair.
'rMadam-" he began, but stopped
in constitution.
Was it a dream, or was it Josie who
stood beside him, her arms around hi,
neck, her cheek pressed to his, and
amid sobs and broken exclamatioDs
told him again and again her JOY al
this meetingf It was too much. The
captains resentment melted away
dissolved in the tears which fell upor
the face of his darling as he pressed
her in close embrace.
"But what does this mean Z" he said
at last, when he had made her sit, op-
posite, where he could gladden. hi,
eyes with the sight of her fresh swec,
face. "When did these come from
JOSEF" And he touched the glitterin.
jewels that shone amid her sunny
braids.
sNNhy, don't you know, father9 Il
it possible you have not heard Wher
you gave your Josie the Wycherl,
homestead, you gave the richest o.
your possessions, though, you, nor non.
Of us, knew it then. Yes" she con
tinued, not noticing her fathers. ques
tioning look, 1.-THE black and sluggish
stream that watered the Wycherly
farm developed source of wealth
richer than all the gold placers o
California. Our petroleum oil we'll
have enriched US beyond our wildes
dreams; and to-day Duke and coun
our wealth by hundreds Of thousands
But we do not forget" she added, will
a mischievous smile, "that we owe j
all to you, dear father"
Perhaps no protestations couche,
in the most eloquentterms, would hav,
shown the change in Captain Wycher
" as did the simple sentence he utter
ed in reply.
] 81 confess myself BEATEN" he said
"and / thank heaven for it. Hence
forth one roof shall shelter us, and W,
will never be parted again until th
old man launches his craft for the las
great voyage"
I And they never were.
u 1t was an 1risliman who wante
to End place where there was n
death that he might so and end hi
days there.