The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-02-21


comfortable solitude.
How he had returned with Snuffy
Mike, the poorest and most miserable
of all the street boys, who congregat-
ed around that corner. How Mike,
10 very unfit attire for dinner party,
skunk half frightened into a seat, but
cat greedily of the dainLies placed be-
fore him. How the mother had
served them never thinking Of herself.
This was his last dislontented year at
home. He had left shortly after, and
had been too busy since with his own
selfish gains to seek for her in all
these long years. 1t had taken him
nearly forty years to know the worth
of this kind, cheerful woman; forty
years 10 know the worth Of mothers
love, aud some never learn it.
He awokc this bright New Years
morning, determined to set out and
seek for her. Kirkum would take
charge of everything, be would then
be free 10 roam as he pleased. When
bis old black servant opened the door
TO make the fire, he was astonished at
the pleasant face of his master, who
greeted him with Happy New Year,
Ben"
The old darkey scraped his foot
and felt for the tattcred rag, which
took the place of 4 hat, on his old
grizzly head.
Guess you need hat"
"Y cs, master"
But he never expected to get it
though, and was greatly surprised
when he who had been his master but
seemed his master no more put mon
ey in his hand. bidding him TO get
what he needed.
Young Kirkum came TO work as
usual, for Mr Held had never kept
any holidays. The young man had
hung up bis bat apd turned to bis
desk, when Mr.. Held said:
"You must take holiday to-day;
call on the ladies you know on New
Years Day"
Kirkum, scarcely believed his ears,
said:
on must come too, sir. )
Now this invitation was thought
lessly given, fo- hc never expected il
10 be accepted.
Certainly. certainly. order 4 car.
riagc aud white kid gloves; We must
go in style; this is my birthday, you
know" kirkum did not know that
he ever had lad such thing rs a
birthday, hut through all the surprise
felt pleased 10 have n jovial friend TO
go calling. The years had fallen of
from him, and in the new light of his
Liud resolutions lie seemed almost
young again.
Where shall we go frs:? You
must lead. for. except my landlady,
know no one in the city" lie might
have added, "or in any other, for, ex.
cept his clerks and business connec-
tions, he had not / single acquaintance
in the world. We'll, at eleven. let's
begin by calling on Dora Nully
She is such nice, bright little chunk
of woman, and her grandma is such
a dear old lady, I'm afraid we won't
go mnch further than that, eh:" and
the reiu,enated Held gave him n DIG
in the ribs aud smiled all over.
At the appointed time they both
started, making several calls before
they reached Dora Nnlly's. Mr.
Held was quite pleasant. aud amused
the girls with his old time gallantry
Both Of Kirkum's sisters got more
than they expected in their bonb0niert
of candies which he left them. Hi,
dress was exquisite, and he looked
searchingly among the middle aged
and old ladies' who fluttered around
that rich Mr.. Held and young Kir
KUN.
Nearly all their visits were paid
but the one to Dora, which kirkum
had kept for the last, on the principle
that the incest and sweetest dishe.
are kept for dessert.
Here we are. and even the bel
seemed pleased to hear them ring it
and pealed forth joyfully as the dool
was opened.
They were in the parlor before
they knew it. Mr.. Held was pre-
sented TO little dimpling, smiling
blue.eyed girl, with a face, oh! how
familiar, and he lost himself il
thought several times before he spoke
The sweetest girl in the world with
drew her hand and flushed up at hi!
continued stare.
Pardon me, MISS" said he, will
old-time grace. "You are so young
and lovely, and it is so long since
have been in ladies'. company"
Kirkum beamed all over ut this
compliment to his favorite.
"Come in the dining-room and SET
grandma; she is here to-day"
Dora led the way to the lunch ia
BILE where grandma presided-a dea
old lady, the very type OF Dor;
grown old and mellow.
"Now, children; here is company
you must behave,n and she shook of
her grandchildren as they entered.
"Mrs. Nully-Mr. Heidi
And with the echoing footsteps o
the coming year growing stronger, h'
stood beside his gray-haired mother
His half-brother was sought for
and proved to be papa to Dora.
MIR. Held, no longer solitary, tount
himself uncle to quite string OF boys
nicely spoilt by their grandma. In tn,
shadow of the closing day he was for
given by his mother, who had neve
forgotten her moody, solitary boy
though she had married again, ant
sons and daughters had come troop
ing around her, to whom she had con
tided the great sorrow of her life, an,
often mourned in secret at his desel
ton.
"But you will forgive it all now
| mother %