The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-06-19

Out the simple Oeautdul young erea-
ture who sat opposite me, and, in
spite of myself, visions of such a
being ovingabout my lonely cham
bers, making the gloom gay, and
causing the bachelors barren lie to
bourgeon and bloom like the dryrod
Of the high priest.
In the midst of all this came Mr..
Levi with my five dollars and a du-
plleate for the chess board. He
seemed rather astonished at the qui-
ct intimacy which had so suddenly
been established between myself and
his deposit.
''Mr. Levi" said I to him, II had
no idea that you lent money on this
species of personal property. Ihaye
8 rich uncle, who won't die without
leaving me my share Of the proper
ty, that I would be very glad to raise
something on. How much will you
give me on him. He's in an excel
lent state of preservation, and has
served in the last war;"
"Ohl" he replied, laughing, with
out paying any attention to my pro-
posed avuncuiar exchange. "Nelie
Lee is a capital girl, and it's some
times as well that she should be
away from her father. He -"
and here he made an expressive pan
tomime, suggestive of rum. 1 looked
at Nellie. Her large eyes we're filed
with tears.
'Don't be angry with me, Nellie,
continued the pawnbroker kindly.
''You know that he has very bad
habits or you would not be here.
My wife is very fond of her, Mr..
and for thst matter her
lather adores her, and as ne viii
never finish any of his pictures with
out the spur of some terrible neces-
sity, we contrive to put Nellie in
what we call pawn, and then he is
sure to work to get the money to
redeem her. Nellie, child, don't
cry"
1 went up to the poor child, and
took her hand gently in nay cwn.
''Nellie Lee" I said, @you love
your father very much"
She nodded her head, and shook
off tear or two that fell upon her
hand.
at is but right you should do so.
But you are in a strange position
here. Your father is not fit to be
your guardian, and you viii not al
ways meet with pawnbrokers as kind
as Mr.. Levi. Now what you ought
to do is to intrust yourself to the
care of some man who is young and
strong, and who, with your fair face
and goou influence TO stimulate him,
viii work for you day and night,and
love you as dearly as your father
did"
She shook her head gently, and
still the tears fell.
"You think such a one cannot be
found2 You are wrong. If you
could bring yourself to accept his
protection; if yen could persuade
yourself that love suddenly born
could be as vigorous and lasting as
one that takes years to mature, you
never would repent of it; I swear
it,"
"And where is there such a one?''
demanded Levi, with mingled cred
ulity and curiosity twinkling in his
black eyes.
"Here!" 1 answered. I want
such an object as this to become in
dustrious. have abilities, if l turn
them to account-of that I am con
WINGED; and, after all, il the worst
should come, nothing under heaven
can keep me from inheriting a por-
ton of my uncle's estate. If Nellie
Lee will take me for her husband, l
call God to witness that 1 will cher
ish and love her till death"
The little head shook no longer,
and I felt a slight pressure from the
small hand in mine. It may have
been 8 tremor, however.
"Her father would never consent" "
said Levi, refeetively.
"Never," echoed Nellie, in low
murmer, "he loves me Sc"
Icould have said, sWhat love is
this that idol in a pawnbroker'
shop?" but dared not insult the
pure heart beside, and 1 remained
silent. Extraordinarily I drew hel
close to my side, my arms stolt
gently round her small waist. fel
the throbbing Of her little heart, anC
our lips met. This compact knew
was sealed.
In a few seconds Levi re-entered
pale and agitated. He stopped OF
the threshold when he saw US locked
lin the embrace, and, leaning agains
the edge of the door, he said:
81 am glad of it; she has NJ
lguardian now but you"
"My father!" and with shriel
Nellie slipped from my clasp aat
fled toward Levi.
"Poor child" he said, laying hi
hand reverently on her head, as
misfortune had rendered her sacred
at is so. He has left you alone"
There was a wild burst of grief i
that dingy pawnbroker's pa-lor, an
Ipoor little Nellie Lee sobbed an
fluttered like a bird vainly beatin
against the iron wires of its Gag,
The old artist was dead; the wretct
ed man, unable to resist temptation
had expended the money he had oil
tanned from Levi in drink, and wa
found by the police n Washingto
Park, stretched on one of the walk
, He had killed himself with rum.
! For many hours my poor chill
was distracted with her sorrow, an
I good Mrs. Levi came down stall
adorned with unredeemed jewelr
and black-eyed Mics Esther, Ii
7-1';tc- was also there, smellir
!. lof patchouli, and Levi himself WI
I continually coming in and out of Il
. shop with bottles of cologne for Il
r child's temples, and viniagrettes
hold to her nose. They we're all
7 kind and so gentle to my Nellie
+ this her great sorrow, that I made
r VOW on the spot never to speak
I. of q pawnbroker again as long as
y lived.
But in time the tempest wore
+ self away. Nellie came at last
n listen to the few words of comfor