The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-12-20
Ny ruin was enough. !"

"The Lords will be done, sir |" he said.
"You might have had all; but / am now
penniless. Your trouble is greater than
mine. Any letters, sir, by to nights mail2''
Any resources, or important intelligence"
"No resources, Joe, and bad news-al-
most worse than all.
Worse, sir y
Yes, yes. You remember my son
Charley-of course you remember him
You know he went about two years since
to live with Van Zandt & Co., at Ant
werp2'
q Yes, sir What of himY Don't tell
me-he is not dead, sir2"
"No---that pang is spared me, but
have bad, very bad news of Charley, my
old friend. | wrote recently announcing
our situation, and recommending, his re.
turn, and Messrs. Van Zandt & Co., re-
piled that he left them nearly year ago. u
Left them ?"
Yes, yes. He had fallen into evil
course, and they reprimanded him--when
he went of, no one knew where. Letters
were written to me by the house, but they
must have miscarried. Nothing has since
been heard of Charley. / fear he ba,
taken to more evil ways still. He NAV be
dead indeed Unhappy that | am ali
connected with me seems To turn ont
badlyw
The merchant uttered a croan Old Joe
looked at him with commisseration.
81 am still more unfortunate than Won
Mr.. Worthington. he said in a low tone.
"I had a soma noble boy--he is dead
sir You knew nv Edm1ndP He was
so handsome. SO spirited 40 bold and he
was lost at sea. He was on n whaler-the
shin foundered. and the crew were lost
My poor Edmund We are truly two un.
fortunate fathers, sirr
There the conversation ended, and mcr
chant and book keeper separated
Throughout the following week untirinp
efforts were made to collect the resources
of Worthington Brothers. But slight sue
cess crowned the merchants efforts to res
cue the house. Friends of past wear,
seemed to have grown cold, and regretted
their inability to render assistance and il
was only by great sacrifices that the house
succeeded in making all payments up tc
the day before Christmas. In this, how.
ever, the firm succeeded, and, as Mr.
Worthington locked his safe. and put on
his hat, he drew a long breath of relief
Then, taking his old book-keeper's arm, he
went homeward with thankful heart, and
as they separated at the corner, he muir
INJURED: 0Let us keep good heart vet
old friend.
CHAPTER II.
Christmas morning, and the snow was
falling, and the wind whirling II about like
mad. A thousand goblins seemed laugh.
ing, and turning somersets, and hailing
each other, as they sported around the
gables, and whistled and rumbled in kew.
holes and chimneys, wild with mirth at the
coming of Christmas and old Joe Dar.
ling's small house, in remote street of the
great city, seemed especially honored by
the hobgoblins, who shook the windows till
they ratified again.
A great FIRE was burning. and the break.
fast-table was set and old Joe rubbed his
hands in front of the blaze and looked out
of the window, when voice behind him,
with rush of laughter in it, and sounding
like silver bells, exclaimed:
aChristmas pift. father. dear I've caught
you
Old Joe turned round As he did so n
pair of rosy lips pressed his cheek, and two
arms clung round his neck belonging to q
little fairy of seventeen.
"Why, YOU look like sunbeam, Daisy, y
he said.
And indeed the face resembled one 40
brilliant was the light of the ewes Daisy
was small. with neat. COSY figure in =
plain but pretty dress and Won saw at !
glance that this was one Of. those little
nimble-fingercd fairies who are blessings q,
the homes in which thew rule
Her father smiled and fopdlv passed hi.
hand over her head As he oazed nj ber
he thought of his well.pipb penniless con.
dition and beayed n sipb
oPoor little Iadv.bird Ihave notb;no
for Won p he said sipbing again
But Daisy did not seem 10 regard the
circumstance as at ali denressino Or
the contrary her face glowed and tnrn;no
bor bright head toward ono s;de She wb;s
nercd
aTye pot n Christmas g;ft for Won f.tbo,
dear"
aU.vo von9 Nov vou,ve oo,o and
worked yonr little fingers 10 the hone n.
a crnyat or"
an indeed Two done noth;ng of ,be
sort that i not your nresentn
The rusb of ;oyous laucbter IN the o;rl'.
voice nearly drowned her words, She
seemed burst;ng 10 rsvsal some .oora,
Tbe;r talk was ;nterrunted bowevsr by
tho ,nne.rance of Motber narl;ng and ho,
aock With old JIncle Jobn loot;ng w;so
and secretive
Da;sv had nrocursd .omevbero tho
band.omest Cbr;stm.s.,rse ;maa;nahlawa
hnshv oodar f,ll of l;cb, h,ra hasr;as III
having returned from church. whittier sbe
won, 3r,;f,,llv Will tho ras, sha nroooaaaS IA
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