The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-04-17

The curtains parted; the radiant child
stepped out.
Belle, my child, am l mad OF dream
ing?''
- Father, dear father she cried. and
threw herself into his arms; father and child
we're claSped in rapturous embrace. The
excited and overwrought man sank into q
chair, and burst into tears He would hold
her from him and gaze at her with his soul
in his eyes; then, clasp her in his arms and
rain passionate kisses upon her sweet face,
which he had never expected to see again on
earth.
lsatel, Fsabel, where did you find her,
OR darln g?'' l hardly dare TO breathe. for
fear shall wake and find it dream. Can
, it be true? it is, it is, Oh, thank God
thank God" Isabel told her story as CO.
herently as joy would let her
g must inquire about it. There has been
tampering with the grave, luckily for us :;
but am curious TO learn more about it
will see about it tomorrow"
The grave was opened; the casket, of
course found empty, with the exception Of
some faded flowers. All inquiries proved
useless. No one knew anything about it
so the subject dropped. Content were they
in the happiness of their recovered treasure.
But at last, one day, year from that time.
a woman, poorly but neatly clad, called ut
Mrs. Eberle's house and inquired in great
agitation for the master.
Well, what is il, my good woman?'
Please, sir, and would you come and see
Mike, my husband, sir?'' he is very bad
and wants to see you, sir, if you'll be 81
kind
" Who is he, my poor soul, and what does
he know of me2''
It's Mike Dugan, sir; darn't tell any
more. l promised | wouldn't; but he was
grave-digger at Mount Hope at the time you
lost your little girl, sir"
ooh, indeed - he cried, light suddenly
Illuminating his mind 90 | will come
poor, low shanty; hard, meagre but
clean bed; upon it-what? a man or
skeleton? a man in the last stages Of con-
sumption; seated beside the bed is Mr..
Eberle. The man has been talking little.
He Is very tired but strives to raise himself
as he answers a question asked by his Wis
itor.
"Y Yes, sir, just gone of consumption-T
can't talk much-I'll tell my story ; then,
perhaps l can rest better. The dimons
tempted US, my pal and me, an so when the
fine folks were gone, we just dug it up again.
we bust the lid, and as grabbed the locket
and he the ring we both most dropped; for,
sir, the little kid was warm like and soon
began to breathe. We could not bury a live
child and we burst not return her to you Just
then, so l wrapped her in my overcoat, took
her in my arms and carried her home. Ny
Peggy often comes and goes with me, and
often carry her in just the same way, so no
questions were asked. Ny pal fixed every
thing safe after Us. Yes, | took her home
my wife took off her fine clothes and dressed
her in some of Peggy's which just fit her,
and when the poor little gal woke up, my
pal and me took her tO-urphan asylum
where You will find her, safe and sound ]
hope. We were kind to the little one, so
may the good Lord forgive US for our sin.
There's her clothes and the things that
tempted US; we were very poor, bat we
could not find heart to sell them after all
we could not return the gal to you sooner,
sir, because you went away, and have been
so sick since you got back; I've been wait
ing to get better but [ shall never now.
Peggy, give the gent the bundle; and now,
sir, 1 think I'll sleep awhile. Goodbye,
and thank you for coming"
|" Goodbye, and God bless you for saving
my child. / have got her already. May
God forgive you your intended crime, as
freely as do"