Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-01-02
MILERsBURe, HOLMES COUNTY, O., THURSDAY, JAN 1873

don on the street Once they stood sid
by side at the church door, and Gerti
could not resist placing her hand in hi
and Notwithstanding the probability o
Mrs. Grundy's declaring it very un
maidenly, she whispered: Hl -.
1 D." 1 know all. And though I MAJ
never be yours, win never wed an
other" .---. -r-
Harry was nearer happiness, then
than he had dreamed Of ever beins
again. Now that he was assured o
her love, her constaney, he would hope
and work on. 49, 3. Elu-4 4u34s.
| As Andrew Foster stood before the
window that New Years morning
looking out on the passers-by, many
pleasant looking faces greeted him with
a smile, and "Happy New Year, SIR"
A moment more, and the room door
was thrown open, and his boy, his only
one, the youngest of his children, came
running up, crying out: r-e. Ha.s.
Happy New Year for papa! See,
papa. Eddie's happy. New Years day,
with new clothes, new boots, new every
thing. am going to be neso boy, too.
Gertie says everybody must try to make
somebody happy to-dayl I am going
to make Nellie happy, for I'll stop teas
ing her. I wish! Oh, 1 wish mamma
was here" His blue eyes filed with
tears and his lips quivered, and in a
sorrowful voice he continued: 81 wish
1 had been a new boy when mamma
was here. "5f5 ..4uF .-.aHD erH
irGWas everybody striving to place be-
fore him, hold up for his inspection, his
iharshness? Was every word intended
to deal a sure blow? When the little
seven year old Eddie spoke Of f'mamma,'
Andrew Foster could scarce repress a
groan. -a.' .'''~'-..'.' a' .19
She was gone. Two years before she
had passed from earth. Oh, if she was
with him, how different he would be!
He had been husband, and the gentle
wife could not find in him anything to
reproach. But he knew how much was
left undone. How many little loving
acts, that make life so doubly sweet,
were forgotten then. p, r.--;. 4II q
Again Eddie's voice sounded in the
fathers ear. -7 - ..-..' --t-
Papa, are you going to be new
man to-day? Papa, make me happy
first with n splendid pair of skates.
And Nellie and Gertie must be happy
too, papa. Make Gertie be a new girl,
please. She won't sing and play with
us; she's getting old, believe" .l =
No argument, no pleading, no matter
how earnest, could have made such an
on Andrew Foster as that
child's innocent prattle. }' .t1it|
Again the door flew opened, and Ger.
tie and Nellie were beside him. The
kisses were given and received. The
father saw that his child was striving
to be cheerful, and not east her shadow
over him. .t,.... -........a .ra
He told them all to speak their wish,
what he should give them that day. Ed
die and Nellie were quick to tell, but
Gertie said, with smile tina threatened
to be tear: l..B-.L ...fl..1 ---
"Give me what you choose, father.
You give me so much, have no wish
to speak; but She hesitated-she
almost dared to breathe it forth. No,
no; she would not cloud his heart that
day. She cast aside the wild hope, and
continued: "Bring me what you think
I'd like; trust to your decision"
After breakfast he said: &
"You will lay aside your deep mourn
ing to-day, my child, ant. help me re-
ceive my friends. We shall have many,
think. "
She promised she would; but her ia
ther knew it would be an unpleasant
task-that Gertie would much sooner
spend the day quietly with her little
ones, or in acts of love and mercy.
The guests were all gone. The tire
some day was nearly over. Gertie had
thrown herself wearily into an arm
chair. There was ne longer need for
the forced smiles could
die away; she could rest and weep. The
children had been made happy. Her
father had given al save her the New
year presents. She had not cared for
any, but she had held a lingering hope
that he might come to her with word
that would break the long silence, that
she might plead anew with him.
Andrew Foster had closely watched
his child, as she did, with so much dig
nifty and grace, the honors of his ele-
CANT establishment. And he saw,
the mask she wore, never so
plainly was visible the changes that the
last year had wrought in her beautiful
face. -.r-.....- -
When he saw her sink so wearily in
to the chair, his heart smOte him, and
he went out quickly. Possibly he feared
should he linger, he might grow weak
and relent. o.. f..., rsra s..f.'l,. .r..-.-
Gertie heard the hall door close, and
she knew her father had gone out for
the evening, likely.
How long she remained she knew
not, dreaming. Not sleeping dreams
were they. Fer mood of depression had
taken wings, and she was smiling gent
ly, sweetly. Visions of happier times
were before her. -s..
A cautious step approached. She
heard it, yet moved not, nor opened her
ewes. She wished not to throw off the
sweet influence which was over her.
He, her father, bent gently, lovingly
over her, and murmured: at d..
= "She is sleeping and happy now.
Gertier' he called softly.
"Father, I've not been sleeping," she
answered softly a7.a-G : r4-
q l-" 1 thought you were, and dreaming;"
i al ,cas dreaming happy creams
vain, fieeting Visions" she said, her
voice filled with sadness.
Have you forgotten your New
Years gift was to bring you, Gerties"
he asked. H-
"No, sir; 1 thought you had. Have
you brought me one?" she asked, for
cling show of interest. ......
ayes, little daughter, l have brought
It: have never for moment ceased to