Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-01-02
A New Years Surprise.

a New Years surprise.
BY FRANCES HEssHAw BADEN.
1t was New Year'ssmorn. Andrew
Foster was up much earlier than usual
in truth, he might as well have re-
mained up during the night, for, nj.
though his head rested on downy pill.
low, sleep never visited him during
those long, last hours Of the year, mol
the first Of the infant successor. At the
best of times, when a mans or woman's
heart is free from the burden of dis
approving conscience, there is some
thing deeply impressive about sold
years night" As we watch, passing,
passing SO swiftly, dying cut, those last
moments, how many a heart is filled
with vain regrets! But there is anoth-
er chanee-a better time, we say: the
morrow we will begin anew, make
amends for the past, to him orlIer. Yet,
o. if, with the passing year, that one
that we might have made happier has
gone too-gone beyond recal-then
ours are ceaseless regrets. 4Hlt -lr'
1t was not thus, however, with An
drew Foster. The particular one whose
happiness he had marred still was with
him. Daily, he saw the face, once 80
bright and beautiful, growing paler ;
missed the merry, bird-like voice that
filed the house with the sweetest mu-
sic! Yes; although he knew she was
fading under his hard, unbending will,
he would not bring her back to life
aye; for what is life without love?
Constantly during those midnight hours
as vainly he wooed sleep, there would
come instead the plaintive little face,
with the great beseeehing looking eyes.
Why would he not yielda Why, be-
cause pride said Nay. Could he, An
drew Foster, one of the wealthiest men
OF the city, give his child to one SO far
beneath her in position, and possessing
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
n 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 ia
ther that this young man had dared to
love his child, his opinion must have
undergone great change, for he could
scarcely restrain his wrath Sufficiently
to treat, with any showof decent polite
ness, Harry Landon, when he came to
him in a manly, truthful manner, and
told his love. r.e.--f..., .tri..t a59il
Have you presumed to tell Miss
Foster this, sir 2" asked the indignant
father. .8t..f -Hpl n
"No, sir. came to you first, scarcely
daring to hope you would give me per-
mission to speak. Still, there was a
possibility, and 1 seized it. But l am
sure Miss Foster is not ignorant Of my
feelings" ...,...., -,.,, IN, -.
"Why, why are you sure, sir! - Fl; i
Why? Oh, sir! why do the blind
know that the sun is shining, when
their whole being is filled with its
warmth? Need We tell them what it is?
Every true woman knows when she is
believed. He- heart tells her. Oh,
sir, ask you not to give heDto me now
not until can prove my worthiness.
But let me speak to her." '.. n1a-
Impossible! never will consent.
'Tis useless to say more on the sub
ject. And after this conversation l sup
pose you well not feel SO we'll contented
in your position with our house, s7a
"I was about to ask, sir, if you would
give me letters of introduction to some
other establishments .,.. r..- .-7.f .yG4-
"Certainly certainly, Landon. 1 will
see that you have a position quite as
good, to say the least, as your present.
one. IL am sorry this has happened.
am your friend in every other way.
You must remember and command my
services when you wish.'' 4'
And so the young man and his en-
ployer parted. boar
Days passed until fortnight had
elapsed, and Gertie had not seen Harry
Landon. She missed him from the
store too, and with her usual straight
forward, candid manner, she went to
her father and asked: -
"Where is Harry Landon, father?'
He has lett us, for better position
at Blacks" answered her father, with
his eyes still on his paper. ..l
"Why did he leave you, father? I
heard you say you were going to do
more for him." .9!ae
Andrew Foster raised his eyes then,
and looking sternly into his daughters,
replied:
"He presumed too far on my friend
ship, and it was desirable to both him
and myself that he should seek employ
ment elsewhere" l4sEfu ~. -. ..-
Her beautiful, truthful eyes were still
gazing into his with an eager, anxious
expression. She sunk down on stool
at his feet, leaned her head caressingly
against him moment. and then whis-
pered, with a blush suffusing her pretty
child-like face: lIl3Al41 "
3! Father, did he tell You that be loved
your daughter? And was it that you
sent him away for?'' 'i.'i ,f- -
Yes, Gertie. He might have known
| could not listen for moment to his
suit. He is a very worthy young man
but really it was very presuming In
him to-
"Presumsing, father, in an honor
able, worthy man to love me? don't
think it so. i feel honored by the love
of such one. And, father, he has
told you his secret; Twill do so too. AL
though he may never know it, Ilove
Harry LandOn.'
There was much said between the IA
ther and child, she gently pleading fol
her love, he chiding and unyielding. !,