The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-07

"Not on the steps, but come in. Mother
will give YOU cup of tea. Come" And
with tender care he assisted her up the
steps, and IN, calling, Mother-Clara,
here is an old lady very tired. Make her
comfortable, please"
The door was opened, and pleasant,
gentle looking woman came ont, followed
by u beautiful girl Of about sixteen who
drew the wcnried traveller in, seated her in
comfortable chair, and would have re-
lieved her Of her hood and wrappings but
she objected, saying Sh0 )ould rest only a
few moments. Clara drew up stand, and
placed cup Of tea and biscuits before the
old lady. While she fingered with them,
John came into the room and said;
"I'n going out now, mother, and may
not be in before ten.n
"Ah, I know where" answered his
mother, rs she observed his careful toilet,
"0h, my bov. is it well2 She can never
he yours. Why will you linger near her 2
Every hour will make 1t harder for YOU to
resign her to another, us It must be-"
"Don't, don't. mother, dear. must
see her-be with her while may. Donot
mention the future; | live only in the
present. There, goodbye. Tn Off But
stop" Coming up to the old woman, he
said, "Yon have walked far, know. Now
do ride as near your home MS possible
And he dropped piece Of silver in her
hand. The hand trcmbled as it closed
tightly over the money. He hastencd ont
and heard not the low whispered thanks
and blessings which reached his mothers
ear. .v
"Ycs. yes; you are right, He is good
my noble boy! But he has a heavy bur
den on hi young shoulders. Would that
it could be otherwisen Mrs, Fairlcigh
answered.
The old woman arose to 20. They babe
her come again, whenever she was near,
And with many thanks, she left them
The days passed by until the one came
which gave Lucy the right ever after to
use MS she chose her wealth. She entered
her guardians office, and said;
"l've come, Guarly, to crave a birthday
boon. You ,hust not refuse"
swell, toll me what 1t is, I'll not re-
fuse. unless for your own good"
She bent over him, and whispered in his
ear.
lie started in real amazement.
"Ten thousand! Why, child, what can
YOU want with so much 7 Oh, lsurmisc
| heard your cousins talking of set of
diamonds. But really, Lucy, let me advise
you-n
"No, no, Guardy. You know I might
insist: but only plead. Let me have it,
and I'll promise to economize enough to
satisfy you, for the next three years. And
intend to come to you, as heretofore, for
every dollar until-well, until no longer
belong TO mysclfh
"My child, fear you will make very
poor Investment. Diamonds are not likely
TO increase in value"
"I've not told you that is what |
want the money ior," she said.
"Ah, but know"
"Wcll, yes, shall invest that amount
in diamonds, il you will insist on my tell
Ing YOU"
The check was drawn, and Lucy went
away quite happy; while her guardian felt
very anxious indeed. lie said:
"Se is a good girl, very good girl, but
drendfully cxtravagant. She'll go through
her fortune right away, II do not manage
to check her. A miserable investment. |
must try and make it up in some other
way. I'll try my hand at investing for
her now"
It was not long before the fairleighs
again saw the old woman, who came to
claim their hospitality once more.
"l'm going away" she said. 81 wanted
to sec you again, you were so kind to me.
| shall never forget YOU"
She renamed but little while, and
then babe them goodbye. A few moments
after, when Clara stopped down to pick up
a spool Of Gotten, she saw lying behind the
armchair where the old woman sat, little
black bag, which she Immediately rccog-
nized as belonging to her. Picking it up,
she run out on,thc front steps, and looked
up and down the street, hoping to sec the
owner, but she was nowhere in sight.
Thinking she would most likely miss il
and return, she went back. But the even
ing passed without seeing or hearing agan
Of the old woman. The next morning,
Clara said:
al think we ought to look in thc'bag,
and, il it is Of any value, try to find the
owncr.n
John thought so too. 1t was opened,
and, to theirgrcat surprise, in 1t was ii note
addressed:
"'o my kind friends"
Opening which, John read aloud:
81 have not left my bag by mistake. |
came to do so. You have all been kind to
the old woman you will never see ngain.
But that you may think of her often, she
leaves yon token Of thanks. 1t will re.
lieve the young shoulders of their burden,
and his heart too, perhaps. You need not
try to find me. But little while, and
earth will know no more the old woman.
have more than enough still to maintain
me, should live more than the allotted
time. You will find with this, certificates
Of money placed in the Union Bank, subject
to the order Of John Fairleigh. Do with
it as you choose. Gratefully, your
.u OLD WOMAN
John was bewildered--thcy all were.
Could it be rcal2 They were not dream
ing surely. Dollars, many thousands, for
them!
Although the cashier of the mentioned
bank was well known to John Fairleigh, it
was not without considerable hesitation
that he went to see il such good fortune
was really his.
"Yes, 1t is just SO, Mr. Fairlcigh. And
! was but little less surprised than your
self" answered the cashier.
"Haye you any idea who the person
is ~ asked John.
"Not the remotcst. | only know that
an old lady came here yesterday, and III Il
ncrlhctlY hnsiness.like manner mnle the