The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-12-22

brought me IRON uarkHess 10 IRHl,
and love English soil, for with it
sleeps the wife OF my youth. But |
love American soil, also, for here |
have found the warmest of welcomes,
the kindest of Brethren. And, too, my
own child is sleeping in American
waters, even beneath the very waves
that wash the shores Of your beauti-
iul village.
six years have passed since this
dear friend and brother robbed him
self of his life preserver, that my little
Eva might perhaps escape, and we
hoped the elements might be kind,
and that Heaven would send her re-
leaf. but she was never heard Of more"
The voice of Mr.. Dnrant was quiv-
ering with emotion, and unable to
speak further, he seated himself and
covered his face with his hands.
Chances of surprise and pleasure
were cast from one to another among
the Brethren of Hiram Lodge. No
one spoke, however, but all eyes turn
ed upon the Master, Mr.. Turner. For
a moment he seemed rejecting; then
taking slip of paper from the Secre-
tary, he wrote:
Mrs. Turner-Do not allow Eva
to retire until come home; tell her
| am going To bring strange gentle
man who wishes TO see her. And
calling the Jun. Deacon, Mr.. Turner
gave him the note, saying in low
voice, take this TO Mrs. Turner i'm
mediately."
"Why, Eva" said Mrs. Turner,
when she had read the message, "you
are going to have company. 4 strange
gentleman is at the Lodge room who
wishes TO see you"
"Who can il be-"
Eva looked perplexed and thought
fnl; suddenly her checks flushed, her
eyes lighted, aud clapping her little
hands, she sprang To her feet and ex-
claimed, "Oh. it must be papa no one
else would wish TO see me; no one III
the world" and before Mrs. Turner
comprehcnded the child's intcrpreta.
ton, she had passed the threshold and
was fitting through the moonligh;
toward the Lodge-room. The Tiler
looked amazed when Eva burst into
the ante.room, her cheeks burning
her eyes flushing with JOY and excite
ment.
"Do not stop me; | am going in
she exclaimed, but the inner door was
fastened, and the impatient Eva near
ly cried with vexation.
wait n moment said the Tiler
who, having heard nothing of what
had transpred within, was at loss te
account for the strange conduct of the
child; "wait moment, and | vii
send your request to Mr.. Turner
lie will come out and see YOU"
II shall not wait ! do not wan
to see Mr. Turner, | want to see m,
papa"
The child is crazy. that is evident,
said the perplexed Tilcr to himself
but calling out the deacon, he bad
him say that Eva was there, and sh'
had determined TO get into the Lodg
room.
The deacon went TO the East an'
, delivered his message in low tone
and n moment afterward moved "tha
the craft be called from labor to re
} ircshment."
And Eva did come, orrather bound
ed into the hall, more beautiful IN he
excitement than ever before. Sle
: vanced to the center of the room an,
stood beside the altar; half poise
upon one tiny foot she scanned rapid
ly the faces of all. Her eager eye
soon detected the strangers, VIII
! were seated beside each other, an
: for a moment she seemed irresolu'
a then darting forward with glad CT,
) she threw her arms about the neck {
a Mr.. Durant, crying, "Oh, papa! m
G dear papal you have come at last! yo
r were not burned i'm the ship"
G We will not attempt to paint tn
v scene further, but will leave our reac
: ers to imagine the joy of the fon'
;, father, and also leave them to decid
|, whether the tears that wet the cheek
e of the Brethren of Hiram Lode
G were caused by sympathy with ii
d happiness of their little charge, {
=, grief chat they should lose one who
they all loved.