Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-12
Gertie,s New Years Gift.
BY FRANCES HENsHAw BADEN

| 1t was New Years morn. Andrew
Foster was up much earlier than usual
in truth, he might as we'll have remained
up during the night, for, although his
head rested on downy pillow, sleep
never visited him during these long, last
hours of the old year, nor the first of the
infant successor. At the best of times,
when a mans or woman's heart is free
from the burden of disappearing con-
science, there is something deeply impress
sive about "old years night" AS we
watch, passing, passing so swiftly, dying
out, those last moments, how many a
heart is filled with vain regrets! But there
is another chance-a better time we say
the morrow we will begin anew, make
amends for the past, to him or her. Yet,
0 !! if, with the passing year, that one that
we might have made happier has gone
too-gone beyond recall-then ours are
ceaseless regrets.
1t was not thus, however with Andrew
Foster. The particular one whose hap
piness he had marred still was with him.
Daily he saw the face, once so bright and
beautiful, growing paler; missed the mer-
ry, bird-like voice that filled the house
with the sweetest music Yes ; although
he knew she was fading under his hard,
unbending will, he would not bring her
back to life-sye for what is life with
out love? Constantly during those mid
night hours, as vainly he wooed sleep,
there would come instead the plaintive
little face, with the great beseecbing
looking eyes. Why would he not yield {?
Why, because pride sal Nay. Gould be-
Andrew Foster, one of the wealthiess
men of the city, give his child to one so
tar beneath her in position, and possess
ing nothing more than his own good
name?
Harry Landon was one of her fathers
clerks; and Gertie Foster, despite the
great gulf between them, grew to love,
with all the devotion of her nature, the
handsome young man. Every one liked
Harry, and respected him and no one in
Andrew Fosters employ possessed more
fully his confidence. Many times he
would remark to friends. "Landon is a
fine fellow noble fellow" But when
the truth came to the proud father that
this young man had dared to love his
child, his opinion must have undergone a
great change, for he could scarcely re-
strain his wrath sufficiently to treat, with
any show of decent politeness, Harry
Landon, when he came to him in manly
truthful, manner, and told his love.
"Have you presumed to tell Miss Fos-
ter this, sir 2" asked the indignant father.
"No, sir. came to you first, scarcely
daring to hope you would give me per-
mission to speak. Still, there Was posi-. |
bility, and l seized it. But am sure
Miss Foster is not ignorant of my feel
ings-'
why, why are you sure, sir?"
"WhyP Oh, sirl why do the blind
know the sun is shining, when their whole
being is filled with its warmth Need we
tell them what it isP Every true moman
Knows when shen is beloved Her heart
tells her. Oh, sir, I ask you not to give
her to me now--not until / can prove my
worthiness. But let me speak to her"
impossible I never will consent. IT'S
useless to say more on the subject. And
after this conversation suppose Won will
,ot feel so we'll contented in your position
With our house."
II was about to ask, sir, if you would
ave me letters Of introduction to some
'ther establishment |" |,
Certainly, certainly, Landon. I will
ee that you have position quite as good,
0 say the least, as your present one. Ill
am sorry this has happened. am your !
rlend in every other way. You must re- 8
nember and command my services when !
on wish"
And so the young man and his EMPLOYER
arted.
Days passed until fortnight had
apsed. and Gertie had not seen Harrv
andon. She missed him from the store I;
70, and with her usual straightforward.
'ndid manner, she went to her father !,
I'd asked: :